Sesotho was only acknowledged as official language in South Africa in 1994. Yet before 1994 it was, during some periods, promoted through education (from 1955 to mid 1970s) and even the broadcast media (from 1960 on radio and from 1982 on television). The change in language policy for education (from mother tongue education to instruction in Afrikaans and English) led to the Soweto uprisings in 1976.
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“We continue to refer to some of our most widely used languages as Zulu, Sotho, Tswana, Pedi and Xhosa, which is inappropriate.
 
Instead, we have languages called Sesotho, Sepedi, Setswana, IsiZulu and IsiXhosa. An important feature of African grammar is the use of prefixes called concords, which create meaning for the principal or term. In the above example, the prefix “Se” or “Isi” is appropriate.

But we have unconsciously (this is my perception, at least) allowed this to continue as part of apartheid’s legacy of demeaning South Africa’s indigenous cultures.

KwaZulu-Natal cannot be changed to Zulu Natal because without the prefix “Kwa” the term would be meaningless.

The prefix therefore enhances meaning, clarity and context — in much the same way that the English word race has at least two distinct meanings. In the same way, we should be saying that Sesotho is spoken in Lesotho, and it would be nonsensical to say that Sotho (language) is spoken in Sotho (place).”
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Half of the money I’m raising is going to Lebone, an HIV/AIDS project in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Sesotho is one of the main languages spoken in Bloemfontein.

Dumela
Hello / Good day

Ke a leboha
Thank you

Ho kuta
To cut (hair)

Moriri
Hair

O maaka!
Expression of shock or surprise (lit. translation you lie!)

Pinyane ha e senye motse
It is wise to keep certain things secret (e.g. from my grandparents)

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1. Monna ke Mokopu oa Nama.
   A man is able to go anywhere (He is able to have many romantic partners)
2. Khutsana ha e khotsofate [sic].
   Orphans are never satisfied (you may give them many things but they always want more)
3. Bocha ke palesa.
   Youth is a flower (Youth are the future/hope)
4. Ngoana mahana a joetsoa o bonoa ka hkhapha [sic]
   If you don’t listen you will always cry.
5. Mosali ke kabeche oa ipopa.
   A woman is a cabbage. A woman should not go everywhere. (A woman should have only one romantic partner.)

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“The English language cannot capture the vernacular,” says Biki Molaoli, of Audio Arts Africa. (Script translation is one of the services offered by the production house.)

If we think in English we conceptualise in English. Maybe our idea is brilliant. So simple, so obvious we think everyone will get it.

Wrong.

Why?

The idea, even if it’s not a string of words on a page, is still English. It’s constructed in an idiom peculiar to English. In another language it might not make the slightest bit of sense, regardless of how simple it seems.

Take metaphor for instance. Advertisers love metaphor – describing a thing by likening it to something else. For some reason, a lot of what’s seen as good advertising is constructed around metaphor. African languages are rich in metaphor too. But, as Biki points out, “Where English might have five words to describe a thing, Sesotho might only have one.”

In the case of translations, then, understanding might be better served by calling a spade a spade.

Similarly, a Sesotho, or a Zulu concept, which also seems obvious and simple, may be inexpressible in English. The devices we employ when writing, like metaphor, are very often ‘not transferrable.’
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“I swear, on my late mother’s grave, that I will be the first to eliminate anyone who tells me theirs is Sesotho when it is [not]“
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Ntjapedi @ The Blues Room
Wednesday, 10, September, 2008
Starts at 19:30 PM

Ntjapedi consists of four core members. This team of experienced and talented individuals has positioned itself as one of Gauteng’s Sesotho bands with a passion for the language and offers the undeserved need for the aesthetic use of the dialect. Ntjapedi would like to be one of South Africa’s most booked Sesotho band overseas because of the quality of music, and their performance is breath-taking.

Cost:R70

Categories:Gigs

Venue:
The Blues Room
Village Walk
Sandton
Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa 2001

Email: info@bluesroom.co.za
Website: Click to Visit

Event Contact Person Details
Ayanda B. Lisa
Email: ayanda@bluesroom.co.za
Phone: 011 784 5527
Website: Click to Visit

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He refers to Khotso as Murena, a SeSotho word for chief.

“He (Khotso) was a very a mysterious man. I am 84 today, and even to me his life is still a mystery,” said Lunika, as he adjusts himself for the interview on a sofa in his home in Southernwood, Mthatha.
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In Lesotho we write it as “morena,” although the pronunciation is indeed between “o” and “u” in both South Africa and Lesotho. Morena can be a term of respect between two men, same age or not. “Lumela, Morena,” for example.

The paramount chief of Lesotho is referred to as “Morena e moholo,” which literally means the big king. The plural of Morena is Marena, as in Marena a Lesotho, or the kings of Lesotho.

The South African anthem, Nkosi, Sikelel’ iAfrika (God Bless Africa) has a Sesotho part that begins, “Morena, boloka sechaba sa heso.” Lord, protect my people. If you recall, the anthem is in Zulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans and English, four of the eleven official languages of South Africa.

The name of the clinic, Tshepo [Tšepo in Lesotho], was suggested by inmates. It means hope in Sesotho.
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In late 2002 and early 2003 famine hit Lesotho. The UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) sent a crop and food supply assessment team to the country. The government of Lesotho had itself just declared a state of famine. In May 2003, there was still an alarming shortage of food in the country. Children suffering from malnutrition and older people are the ones most susceptible to death by famine. For more information, here is a fuller report: Food shortages in Lesotho