12 Mar 2024

Religious denominations have been implored to join hands with Bible translation activists to produce scriptures using different ethnic languages for easy comprehension of the Word of God.

The translation of the Bible from Greek to any language would allow different nations to absorb the Word of God effectively and even increase active participation in promoting it impartially.

This was said by the CEO of Lutheran Bible Translation (USA), Rev. Dr Richard Ruduskwe during the Shekgalagari New Testament Bible launch themed; Morimo o Bola, o Logka, o Bua Shekgalagari Boobo, in Kang on Saturday.

Rev. Dr Ruduskwe lauded the Shekgalagari Bible translation advisory committee formed in 2010 by the likes of Dean Nelson Lekhutlane, Kgosi Bojosi Motshoge, Pastor Mogapele and others for their perseverance in ensuring that the project became a success.

He said the idea came to life following the public lecture at the University of Botswana in 1991, that compelled academics to write and translate literature in any languages.

Rev. Dr Ruduskwe said their journey started when they reached out to Bible Society of Botswana (BSB) and Lutheran Bible Translation for guidance and assistance.

He emphasised that (BSB) core business was to translate the Bible into different ethnic languages found in Botswana to ensure collective inclusiveness in the religious spectrums.

Rev. Dr Ruduskwe therefore, called for support and coordination from all relevant stakeholders to ensure that BSB achieved its mandate.

He added that the main aim was to translate it from Greek language to other languages but not deviating from the original messages as they were to ensure accurate translations.

On other issues, he said some people seemed to lose hope in Bible translation’s projects to their mother languages as it used to be the case in Botswana, where there was an adoption on the use of two official languages being Setswana and English.

However, he said all was not lost as Botswana government had implemented the policy on the use of mother tongue at school, saying that should serve as a golden opportunity for all now to pursue the translation projects.

Further, he said the use of mother tongue would safe guard the communities from misinformation.

Giving the objectives of the day, BSB board chairperson, Tumelo Tlhong said the Shekgalarai Bible was the second to be launched after the Kalanga version in 2018.

She said the BSB had been in existence since 1969 and it was committed to ensuring that all Batswana had access to the Bible in their languages and mediums of their choices for enhanced and moral spiritual generations.

She said it was critical to produce the Bible in languages that spoke close to the heart of communities as they would be able to comprehend the Word with ease.

Tlhong also said that the Kgalagadi communities were faced with socio-economic  injustice, therefore, the newly launched version would serve as an inspiration to them and be able to tackle and uproot such ills in their societies.

She also lauded the Shekgalagari Bible Translation advisory committee for their hard work, resilience and the commitment they had shown in the past 14 years until they witnessed their efforts bearing fruits.

She said the project became a success through a tripartite relationship between BSB, LBT and Shekgalagari advisory committee.

She further said the Bible would not only serve as a medium of correction to moral decays, but also promote language development, language preservation and unite Shekgalagari speaking communities with other ethnic groups.

Tlhong also mentioned that other translations were in the pipeline comprising Shiyei, Naro, Sign language and Thimbukushu, among others.

In her welcome remarks, Kgosi Basadi Seipone praised the Shekgalagari translation project,  saying it would promote unity amongst communities and reduced divisions.

She also said the communities would be able to read and understand the word on their own without the help of a translator, making it easy also for families to impart teachings easily to their children at home. ENDs