Campus News
By Senior reporter
Midlands State University (MSU), in collaboration with the Midlands State University National Language Institute (MSUNLI), the African Languages Association of Southern Africa and the Pan South African Language Board, hosted the 2026 African Languages Association of Southern Africa (ALASA) Conference at its Gweru Main Campus from 07 to 10 July 2026, advancing dialogue on African languages, multilingualism, digital innovation, indigenous knowledge systems and cultural heritage.
Held under the theme, “Repositioning Indigenous Language Systems through Digital Language Resources to Advance African Languages Development and Identity”, the conference brought together government officials, leading academics, researchers, policymakers and language practitioners from across Southern Africa, providing a platform for scholarly engagement on repositioning African languages as catalysts for national development, education, research and regional integration.
In his welcome remarks, MSU Vice Chancellor, Professor V. N. Muzvidziwa, described the conference as a landmark event, coming at a special moment in the University’s history as it celebrates 25 years of academic excellence, research, innovation and service.
He noted that Zimbabwe’s constitutional recognition of 16 indigenous languages, together with the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032), presents a unique opportunity to preserve, promote and revitalise Africa’s linguistic heritage.
“Language is far more than a means of communication. It is the embodiment of a people’s history, identity, worldview and collective wisdom,” underscored Professor Muzvidziwa.
Speaking during the event, Guest of Honour, Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, described the event as a historic milestone, noting that it was the first time Zimbabwe had hosted the prestigious regional conference and that the event aligns with the Second Republic’s vision of promoting indigenous languages as drivers of national development, social cohesion and cultural inclusivity.
“Today’s event aligns with the Second Republic’s draft National Language Policy, which promotes indigenous languages as vital enablers for national development, unity of purpose and cultural inclusivity,” remarked the Minister.
Delegates were also treated to vibrant cultural performances by the Chief Gezani Xibelani Dance Group, whose traditional dances celebrated Africa’s rich cultural diversity and complemented the conference’s focus on preserving indigenous languages and heritage.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Permanent Secretary Mr. Nicholas Moyo praised MSU, through the MSUNLI, for championing language development and positioning indigenous languages as both tools for effective communication and valuable resources for income generation.
Mr Moyo said, “We are proud of the efforts being made by the Midlands State University through the Midlands State University National Language Institute. We take pride in MSU’s ability to sell the idea of taking languages as both a tool that facilitates communication and as a resource for income generation.”
The conference also showcased cutting-edge research through parallel presentations covering artificial intelligence, digital language resources, multilingual education, translation studies, language policy, digital archiving, terminology development and African literature.
The conference reaffirmed MSU’s position as a leading institution in driving research, innovation and the preservation of indigenous languages in support of Zimbabwe’s national development agenda
Held under the theme, “Repositioning Indigenous Language Systems through Digital Language Resources to Advance African Languages Development and Identity”, the conference brought together government officials, leading academics, researchers, policymakers and language practitioners from across Southern Africa, providing a platform for scholarly engagement on repositioning African languages as catalysts for national development, education, research and regional integration.
In his welcome remarks, MSU Vice Chancellor, Professor V. N. Muzvidziwa, described the conference as a landmark event, coming at a special moment in the University’s history as it celebrates 25 years of academic excellence, research, innovation and service.
He noted that Zimbabwe’s constitutional recognition of 16 indigenous languages, together with the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032), presents a unique opportunity to preserve, promote and revitalise Africa’s linguistic heritage.
“Language is far more than a means of communication. It is the embodiment of a people’s history, identity, worldview and collective wisdom,” underscored Professor Muzvidziwa.
Speaking during the event, Guest of Honour, Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, described the event as a historic milestone, noting that it was the first time Zimbabwe had hosted the prestigious regional conference and that the event aligns with the Second Republic’s vision of promoting indigenous languages as drivers of national development, social cohesion and cultural inclusivity.
“Today’s event aligns with the Second Republic’s draft National Language Policy, which promotes indigenous languages as vital enablers for national development, unity of purpose and cultural inclusivity,” remarked the Minister.
Delegates were also treated to vibrant cultural performances by the Chief Gezani Xibelani Dance Group, whose traditional dances celebrated Africa’s rich cultural diversity and complemented the conference’s focus on preserving indigenous languages and heritage.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Permanent Secretary Mr. Nicholas Moyo praised MSU, through the MSUNLI, for championing language development and positioning indigenous languages as both tools for effective communication and valuable resources for income generation.
Mr Moyo said, “We are proud of the efforts being made by the Midlands State University through the Midlands State University National Language Institute. We take pride in MSU’s ability to sell the idea of taking languages as both a tool that facilitates communication and as a resource for income generation.”
The conference also showcased cutting-edge research through parallel presentations covering artificial intelligence, digital language resources, multilingual education, translation studies, language policy, digital archiving, terminology development and African literature.
The conference reaffirmed MSU’s position as a leading institution in driving research, innovation and the preservation of indigenous languages in support of Zimbabwe’s national development agenda
Published
July 10, 2026 at 3:00 PM
