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Technical Report RP/1984-1985/111.1 .I EASTERN AND

CENTRAL AFRICA Studies and research on books and reading

Feasibility study on the joint production of Kiswahi I i reading matter

bu Canute W. Temu

Serial No. FMRICOMILPEI85I113 .

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Paris, 1985

EASTERN AND CENTRAL AFRICA

FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE JOINT PRODUCTION OF KISWAHILI READING MATTER

by Canute W. Temu

Report prepared for the Governments of the Republic of Burundi, the Republic of Kenya, the People's Republic of Mozambique, the Rwandese Republic,.the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Uganda, the Republic of Zaire, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( h e sco 1

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U N E S C O

Technical Report RP/1984-1985/III.l.l FMR/COM/LPE /85 /113 (Ternu) 10 April 1985

@ Unesco 1985 Printed in France

CONTENTS

Page

I. INTRODUCTION .......................................

. 11. USE OF THE; KISWAHILI LANGUAGE IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL AFRICAN COUNTRIES ...........................

A. Tanzania ........................................ B.' Kenya .......................................... C. Uganda .......................................... D. Rwanda .......................................... E. Burundi .......................................... F. Zaire ............................................ G. Mozambique .......................................

111. PUBLISHING AND PRINTING ...............................

IV . RECOMMENDATIONS .....................................

Summary table showing use of Kiswahili in Eastern and Central African countries .................

ANNEX: LIST OF EAST AFRICAN PUBLISHERS ..............

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I. INTRODUCTION

1. In accordance with Major Programme 111, Communication in the Service of Man, Programme 111.1 Development of research, of Unesco's Approved Programme and Budget for 1984-1985 which provides for I... studies to be prepared, in collaboration with subregional institutions in Africa, on the-feasibiliay of the joint production of reading matter in mother tongues used by more than one country as languages of communication and education', the Director- General of Unesco arranged for the Director of the Institute of Kiswahili Research, University of Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania), to undertake a consultant mission to the Kiswahili-speaking African countries. of Burundi, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire from 1 September to 30 October 1984, with the following terms of reference:

(i)

(ii)

Record in each country the different types of printed matter available in Kiswahili;

Determine for each country concerned to the extent poss- ible, the number of Kiswahili-speaking persons, having reading and writing abilities in this language;

(iii) Identify the national needs as regards printed material, as well as the fields in which each country might even- tually produce such material in Kiswahili, within the framework of a subregional project for co-production, e.g. primary, professional and social education, general literature, popular science books, publications for chil- dren, new-literates and the blind;

Evaluate the production capacities of public and private printing and publishing houses, as well as the human re- sources available for implementing the project.

(iv)

2. book industry in these countries, as well as to the increase in exchange of information and printed matter between Member States interested in Kiswahili language development. values and promotion of cultural co-operation at subregional, regional and international levels, and moreover cultural development in general.

The present study is intended as a contribution to the development of the

It also aims at assisting the dissemination of cultural

3. Officials of the Ministries of Education and Culture, publishers, teach- ers and other persons identified by the consultant as having special interest in Kiswahili, were interviewed. These sessions often included Unesco National Conmission Officers of the respective countries. Personal observations on the use of Kiswahili in public places such as markets, schools, churches, etc., were also taken into account.

11. USE OF KISWAHILI IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL AFRICAN COUNTRIES

A. Tanzania

4. The total number of Kiswahili publications, one can safely say, are numer- ous and rapidly expanding in all fields. The current Tanzania Publishing House Catalogue lists about 120 different titles available and 88 titles out-of-print, but which are needed should paper be available.

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5. especially at the Institute of Education and the Institute of Kiswahili Research of the University of Dar-es-Salaam. Other departments dealing with the language include the National Swahili Council, the Department of Kiswahili of the University of Dar-es-Salaam, the Institute of Kiswahili and Foreign Languages in Zanzibar,'the Poets' Association, and the Eastern African Centre for Research on Oral Traditions and African National Languages (EACROTANAL) .

The Kiswahili language is receiving a lot of attention in Tanzania,

6. that Kiswahili should be the medium of instruction in secondary schools, the Government is not yet convinced. that if Kiswahili is adopted as the only language of instruction in those institutions, the English language may become extinct in Tanzania. The President of Tanzania while addressing the Poets' Association is reported to have said, for example, that Tanzanians must cling to English and Swahili, and that the English language would continue to be the medium of instruction in secondary and tertiary education, because if it is left to be studied as an ordinary subject, it m y die. (Mzalendo Daily News, 28 October 1984).

Although there are strong feelings among linguists and some educators

Moreover the Government seems to fear

B. Kenva

7. Kiswahili is the most widely spread African language in Kenya, and the number of speakers is'about 70%. Although it is not yet declared as an official language, it is used as such in some government notices and in Parliament. dresses the Nation in Kiswahili. It is therefore the most important 'de facto' medium of communication, and has a national language status. Kiswahili is used in the press, radio and television. There are two national dailies - Taifa Leo and the more recent Kanu Party paper Kenya Leo, the counterpart of the Kenya Times.

Kiswahili is the 'lingua franca' of Kenya.

The President of Kenya ad-

8. Recently, however, Kiswahili has gained impetus and renewed support from top government officials. In September, during the Second Inter- national Kiswahili Conference in Nairobi, organized during the period of the consultant's mission by the Kenya Kiswahili Association, the Vice- President, the Hon. Mwai Kibaki lauded the unificatory role of Kiswahili, and reminded the participants that Kiswahili played a very important role in the unification of different ethnic groups in the hard struggle for indepen- dence. The Kenya Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Professor J. Ng'eno, also expressed the hope that Kiswahili would be spread throughout Africa to become the common language of the continent. He later went on to reveal that the Government has initiated a programne of Kiswahili learning, so that in a few years' time, 6 million people would be able to read and write in Kiswahili.

9. The Minister indicated that beginning in 1985, primary school leavers would be compelled to sit the Kiswahili examination. He reiterated the hope that the Organization of African Unity (OAU) would encourage Kiswahili to become the language of Africa. The month of September 1984 was therefore of particular interest with an emphasis on Kiswahili in Kenya. The Conference was covered in detail by the Kenya Leo, and immediately after the Conference President Moi himselt reminded Kenyans ot the need to learn Kiswahili. Features appeared in the papers recalling that, 'Mzee' (Jomo Kenyatta) pro- moted Kiswahili.

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10. fact that Kenya is very serious with their new impetus in promoting Kiswahili. The University of Nairobi is becoming more involved in the development of this language. The Kenyatta University College and the Kenya Kiswahili Association, the Kenya Institute of Education and the Kenya Institute of Administration are among the leaders in the development of Kiswahili.

Discussions with the Minister of Education also brought to light the

11. Of late, the Directorate of Adult Education in the Ministry of Culture and Social Services is fully engaged in the production of Kiswahili books for literacy. 80% by the year 2,000, in which exercise Kiswahili will play a major role.

12. The type of Kiswahili spoken in Kenya is not as refined as that of Tanzania, except on the coast. The educators are aware of this and have initiated programmes on the radio to teach proper pronunciation, grammar and usage.

13. was republished in Kenya so as to assist Kiswahili learners. There are many Kiswahili books for different levels published in Kenya, and the interest continues.

There are plans to increase the current literacy of 42%toover

The recently published monolingual dictionary of Kiswahili in Tanzania

14. There is a move to form a National Swahili Council and an Institute of Kiswahili Research, so that these bodies may co-operate with their counter- parts in Tanzania.

15. During the last conference (1984) the Kenya Kiswahili Association and participants recommended that the Government should initiate moves to form a Kiswahili Institute for East and Central Africa.

C. Uganda

16. In Uganda Kiswahili is the second most spoken African language after Luganda, and it is estimated that it is spoken by about 35-40% of Ugandans of different tribes. It is used on the radio, very little in the press, and not at all in television. It is taught as a subject in primary and secondary schools. The status of Kiswahili as a common 'lingua franca' is gaining momentum, especially after the return of the Obote Government into power and the new movement towards East African co-operation.

17. English is still the most dominant language as it is used in press, radio, television, and as a medium of instruction.

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18. Officials in the Ministry of Culture regard Kiswahili as neutral and useful. It is the official language of the security forces, and certainly there are more people who can communicate in Kiswahili than in English. Most of the people in markets, shops, restaurants and taxis in Kampala, it was observed, spoke Kiswahili. In reply to queries concerning their know- ledge of Kiswahili, they mostly confessed that they 'picked it up' in the streets. As to why they learnt it, replies included that they liked it or that they can use it to talk to people from Zaire, Tanzania and Kenya. Some people see it as an African pride, and others saw English as the language of highly schooled proud people. structured learning materials so that they could learn it properly. ,

Most of the speakers expressed hope of getting

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19. Some Ministry of Education officials during interviews hin,ted that the Government was in the process of appraising the language curriculum and Kiswahili would get the consideration it merits as a modern African language, with special implications for Uganda. Moves are afoot to form a Kiswahili Association which will co-ordinate voluntary Kiswahili language learning activities,

D. Rwanda

20. The most dominant language is Kinyarwanda, spoken by about 100% of the population. It is both a national and official language. French is an official language.

21. It is used on the radio. Rwanda is bordered by Zaire in the West, and Tanzania in the East, hence the need for people to know the language. is estimated that about 750,000 people speak Kiswahili, and out of the speakers of Kiswahili almost all are literate. (The overall literacy race in Rwanda is estimated to be 60%.)

22. so that they could communicate with their neighbours. communication between'the consultant and interviewees was carried out in Kiswahili. because they felt that the variety they spoke was not 'good'.

Kiswahili is ,important in Rwanda because it is a commercial language.

It

It was generally observed that people were motivated to learn Kiswahili Most of the time

Some Kiswahili speakers did not admit that they knew Kiswahili

23. schools, and one lecturer also from Tanzania teaching Kiswahili language and literature at the University. 'being prepared at the Curriculum Development Centre with the assistance of University-trained and experienced Tanzanian teachers.

At present there are 16 Tanzanian teachers of Kiswahili in secondary

Kiswahili books to suit Rwanda are

E. Burundi

24. Kiswahili is spoken by over 10% of the population. about 90% of the school children in Bujumbura can speak Kiswahili, and about 40% of the adults in Bujumbura can speak it.

The main languages of Burundi are Kirundi, French and Kiswahili. It is estimated that

25. trading town, hence the role of Kiswahili as a commercial language. consultant was able to use Kiswahili most of the time, especially in informal communication.

Burundi lies between Zaire and Tanzania, and Bujumbura is an important The

Of those who speak Kiswahili most are literate.

26, urer, and it is also used on the radio. conducts Kiswahili courses.

Kiswahili is taught at the university by a graduate Tanzanian lect- The Burundi Military Academy also

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27. and French. French is the official language. Kiswahili is spoken by about 35% of the population, and is principally spoken in the Eastern areas. Kiswahili is also spoken as far as Kinshasa, due to the fact that a lot of people from the east have settled in the west.

The principal languages of Zaire are Kiswahili, Lingala Ciluba, Kikongo, The four African languages are the national languages, but

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28. It is used in the press, on radio and television. The language is taught in primary schools in the East and also at universities. It is also used in literacy courses.

29. so that a common language may be spoken in East and Central Africa.

Officials indicated a strong desire to co-operateand work together

G. Mozambiaue

30. The main languages of Mozambique are Imakua, Tsonga, Cisena (Kicipodzo) , Shona and Portuguese which is the official language. The major four groups are not yet declared national languages because they have not yet been transcribed and no grammars are available. this work, but there are only two linguists in Mozambique working on the study of that country's languages while at the same time pursuing their academic studies.

NELIMO is now starting on

31. Kiswahili is spoken on the border with Tanzania in the north, and by some soldiers who were former freedom fighters who lived in Tanzania, and other ex-refugees.

32.. There are no books or newspapers in Kiswahili in Mozambique, and there are no plans to produce them. Emphasis is being put on Mozambican languages.

111. PUBLISHING AND PRINTING

A. Tanzania

33. The publishing and printing industry is well developed. Among the leading publishers of Kiswahili books are Tanzania Publishing House (TPH), Tanganyika Mission Press, Oxford University Press, the Ministry of Education and the Institute of Kiswahili Research. The Printing industry is well developed. Major book printers are Printpak Tanzania Limited, National Printing Company (NPC/KIUTA) and Tanzania Litho, all with experience in Kiswahili books.

34. In case the project materialises, the Tanzania Publishing House (TPH) may be recommended for the responsability in this area as it is more experi- enced and has been dealing with co-operation in publishing. Manager of TPH moreover expressed his strong desire for the successful con- clusion of the project.

The General

B. Kenya

35. leading publishers with experience in handling Kiswahili books are Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB), Oxford University Press, Heineman Education Books and Longmans. Other smaller publishers also exist. The printing industry is highly developed.

36. It may be noted that the Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB) has a printing wing which makes it the best choice for participation in the envisaged project. The Publishing officials also expressed their desire to partici- pate in the project. The Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB) is therefore strongly recommended as most suited for this project. Also KLB has a history dating back to the days of the East African Community and enjoys government support.

The publishing and printing industry is very well developed. The

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c. Uganda

37. of them were destabilized.

Uganda has some established publishing houses but due to the war most

38. (USSL), which handles school books and supplies. handling books in English but.lack the manpower to handle books in local languages and also in Kiswahili. under a World Bank Project. Publishing House which has good typesetting facilities but lacks equipment. The shortage of paper, films, processing chemicals and related software was cited as serious problems. The need for a basic Kiswahili book is felt and the company is willing to participate on condition that the above materials can be supplied.

Talks were held with the General Manager of Uganda School Supply Ltd. They have experience in

Currently (1984) titles are being reprinted The Manager of USSL is also managing the Uganda

35). Tanzania to produce a basic book in Kiswahili.

40. The Uganda Literature Bureau still exists and is suffering from the general problems of the printing industry. Currently they are trying to reprint some titles. imprint to publish a Kiswahili book which could then be imported provided assistance is granted for the import support.

An alternative would be to co-operate with a publisher in Kenya or

They indicated an interest in participating in a joint

41. The government printing press at Entebbe is currently undergoing rehabili- tation by a Unesco expert, Mr. S.A. Palmer, who is of the opinion that if the rehabilitation project is completed, the press could handle books comfortably provided inputs are available.

. D. Rwanda

42. of Education is the main publisher. largest one being the National Printing Company.

The publishing industry is not well developed in Rwanda.. The Ministry There are four printing presses, the

43. public library.

There are only two bookshops and the university library is the only

4.4. Kiswahili prepared by the Ministry of education and a book for learning Kiswahili in Kinyarwanda.

The only available Kiswahili materials are the manuals for teaching

4,5. school level book provided paper, chemicals, films and plates can be granted. This is because the printers are facing a shortage. In fact even the Kiswahili manuals (mimeographed) being prepared are using materials given to the ministry for the purpose of preparing French manuals by a friendly government.

Rwanda would like to participate in the project to produce a secondary

E. Burundi

4'6. Religious publishers have produced religious books. have been published in Zaire.

The publishing and printing industry is adequately developed in Bujumbura. Other Kiswahili materials

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47. one would say they are adequate.

Libraries and bookshops are not many but considering the size of Burundi

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48. The University of Burundi has a three-year Kiswahili course and the Milicary Academy also has a two-year course. Kiswahili reading materials specifically for the regular students would be needed. Later, a basic general literature books in Kiswahili could be produced. Burundi would be interested in participating in the project to fulfil those needs.

F. Zaire I .

49. developed. However, as far as Kiswahili books are concerned the most compe- tent organ to handle the project would be the Centre for Theoretical and Applied Linguistics (CELTA) of the Ministry of Higher Education and the University. This centre is engaged in the writing and publishing of Kiswahili books. reading and writingr and they are willing to participate in the project to produce a Kiswahili book which would be of common use.

Zaire is a large country and the publishing and printing industry is

They have already produced two basic Kiswahili books on

50. A desire to co-operate was strongly articulated by the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Universities of Zaire, Professor Msgr.Tschibangu, and by the Director of CELTA, Dr. K. Ntole.

51. publishers and printers.

Unfortunately no facilities were made for the consultant to visit

G. Mozambique

52. The only large publisher and printer in the country is the National Institute of Books and Disco (Records). For the time being they are interested in producing books in Portuguese and Mozambican national languages for literacy. They are, however, interested in co-operating with other publishers of African languages so that they can share experience, and methods.

IV. RECOMMENDATIONS

53. Allthe countries visited are eager to be assisted in two ways: (a) to produce Kiswahili books specific for their own purposes and (b) to produce books on a joint project basis which would be of a general nature.

54. In the case of nation-specific books the recommendation is to continue to co-operate with them through their respective ministries of national educati-on.

55. In the case of general books cutting across national boundaries, it is proposed that a workshop should be sponsored to prepare such a book or books.

56. A coordinator familiar with the East African educational and language situation should collect all the syllabuses of lar?guage education in primary and secondary levels.

57. It would also be advisable to collect all the subject syllabuses, schemes of work, and prepare working documents for a workshop which would lay down the groundwork of a common Kiswahili book. The workshop would:

(a) study the syllabuses; (b) propose the contents to be written in detail and guidelines to be

f ol lowed;

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(e>

(d)

identify the authors of the various chapters and a prospective publisher;

set up a small committee to scrutinize the final manuscripts in compliance with the guidelines.

58. scripts would be sent to the ministries of education of a11 the countries concerned for final scrutiny and reaction before being submitted to the prospective publisher. The publisher would then publish the work and see to it that the work is distributed to the various countries.

Once the manuscript has been approved by the committee, draft manu-

5.9. If the book is for primary education, a 'neutral' subject, i.e. one not politically charged such as 'Geography for East and Central Africa' could be written. If the book is for post-literacy readers, than a balance of contents to reflect life in, the participating countries would have to be observed. This type of publication would not only foster a common language but also common understanding. Popular subjects €or post-literacy are health and hygiene and those of learning of the trades and agricultural development.

60. A budget may be worked out after the venue is chosen. Nairobi, Kenya, is recommended as the venue of such activity. It is central in communication and costwise, cheaper. The Kenya Institute of Education could be requested to be the secretariat.

61, It is also proposed that a project be initiated for compiling a classi- fied catalogue of all available books in the Kiswahili language.

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The compilation of the catalogue would bring to light books which could be disseminated to other parts of the Kiswahili-speaking worid. The cataiogue would also contain a list of all the publishers so that individuals and insti- tutions wishing to order Riswahili books would know where to find them. With the growing spirit of co-operation in East Africa, this could be a very feasible undertaking.

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ANNEX

East African Publishers

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1. Adult Education Centre 2. African Inland Press 3. University of Dar es Salaam 4. University of Makerere 5. University of Nairobi 6. East African Literature Bureau 7. Kenyatta Foundation 8. East African Publishing House 9. Equatorial Publishers 10. Foundation Books 11. Shungwaya Publishers 12. Heineman Education Books 13. Historical Association of Tanzania 14. Institute of Education 15. Institute of Adult Education 16. Taasisi ya Uchunguzi wa Kiswahili 17. Longman of Kenya Ltd. 18. Longman of Tanzania 19. Ndanda Mission Press 20. New Kenya Publishers 21. Njogu Gitene Publishers 22. Oxford University Press 23. Tanganyika Library Services 24. Tanzania Mission Press 25. Tanzania Publishing House 26. United Press of Afrika Ltd. 27. Christian Council of Tanzania 28. East African Directory C. 29. Longman of Uganda Ltd. 30. National Christian Council of Kenya 31. Paa-ya-paa Art Gallery 32. Quality Publications Ltd. 33. Uganda Publishing House 34. The Uganda Society 35. University Press of Africa Ltd. 36. Government Printing Press 37. Government Publications Agency 38. Government Printer, Uganda 39. BAKVATA 40. Thakers Ltd. 41, Tai Publishers 42. Comb Books 43. Black Star Agency 44. Kenya Literature Bureau 45. Alawiyyah Traders 46. Equator Publishing Agency 47. Pan-African Publishing Co. 48, Macmillan Books for Africa 49. McGraw-Hill Far Eastern Publishers 50. Uzima Press-Nairobi 51. Govt. Printer-Zanzibar 52. Meza Publications 53. Zanzibar Publishing House

Box 7176, Kampala Box 1414, Mwanza Box 35091, Dar es Salaam Box 7062, Kampala Box 3019, Nairobi Bcx 1002, Arusha Box Box 30571, Nairobi Box 7973, Nairobi Box 73435, Nairobi Box 49162, Nairobi Box 25080, Nairobi Box 35032, Dar es Salaam Box 35091, Dar es Salaam Box 20679, Dar es Salaam Box 35110, Dar es Salaam Box 3264, Dar es Salaam Box 3164, Dar es Salaam P.O. Ndanda Box 12336 Kenya Box 72989 , Kenya Box 72532, Nairobi Box 9283, Dar es Salaam Box 399, Dar es Salaam Box 2138, Dar es Salaam Box 41237, Dar es Salaam Box 2537, Dar es Salaam Box 1286, Nairobi Box 3409, Kampala Box 30520, Nairobi Box 9646, Nairobi Box 3981, Nairobi Box 2923, Kampala Box 4980, Kampala Box 3981, Nairobi Box 30128, Nairobi Box 1901, Dar es Salaam Box 33, Entebbe Box 21422, Dar es Salaam Box 937, Dar es Salaam Box Box Box 3978, Dar es Salaam Box 30022, Nairobi Box 8008, Mombasa Box 1081, Dar es Salaam Box 30797, Nairobi Box 49992, Nairobi

Box 5091, Dar es Salaam