Zimbabwe’s indigenous languages are experiencing sharply different fortunes, with some expanding beyond their traditional boundaries while others edge closer to extinction, a trend Linguist, Dr Herman Batibo says is being shaped largely by migration, mining, and economic opportunity.
Despite long-standing fears that minority languages will disappear, the Buja language, spoken by the Buja people, is showing unexpected growth, driven by mineral exploitation in Mutoko, one of the country’s richest lithium, gold, and chrome belts.
As mining activity intensifies in Mutoko, workers from surrounding districts such as Marondera and other parts of Mashonaland are increasingly exposed to Buja in markets, mining sites, and settlements, gradually adopting the language in everyday communication.
This economic-driven interaction has transformed Buja from a localized language into a regional one, with its influence now extending into Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe (UMP), where Buja speakers are employed in both small-scale and commercial mining operations.
While temporary migration initially spread the language, permanent settlement is now reinforcing its survival, as Buja-speaking families establish homes in areas such as Dindi in UMP and Mutawatawa, embedding the language into community life.
In Mazowe, the growth of artisanal gold mining has further strengthened Buja, with miners using the language as a common medium despite coming from different ethnic backgrounds, highlighting how economic necessity can override linguistic boundaries.
In contrast, several indigenous languages remain under severe pressure, particularly in regions with limited economic development, where speakers are increasingly shifting to dominant languages for survival.
The Tonga language, primarily spoken mainly in the northern regions,including the Zambezi Valley, covering Binga District, Hwange, Kariba, and parts of Nyaminyami and Gokwe North/South continues to decline decades after the displacement of communities during the construction of the Kariba Dam, with limited access to education and media in Tonga accelerating the loss.
Similarly, Venda, used in parts of Beitbridge, is losing ground despite its strong cultural identity, as younger generations adopt Ndebele and Shona to improve access to opportunities including employment and schooling.
In Matabeleland North, the Nambya language, centered around Hwange, faces gradual erosion as formal institutions prioritize Ndebele and English, leaving Nambya largely confined to the home.
Despite these challenges, some major indigenous languages remain resilient due to demographic strength and institutional support.
IsiNdebele, widely spoken in Bulawayo, Gweru, and across Matabeleland, continues to thrive, supported by its use in education, broadcasting, and local governance, making extinction unlikely in the foreseeable future.
In eastern Zimbabwe, linguistic identity remains strong but is evolving under urban pressure.
In Mutare, the Manyika people, often referred to locally as Wasu, continue to use Chimanyika, although increased urbanisation and schooling in English and Zezuru are reshaping how the language is spoken among younger residents.
Across Mashonaland, dominant Shona dialects such as Zezuru and Karanga maintain their influence, benefiting from their widespread use in administration, education, and commerce.
While Zezuru dominates in Harare and Mashonaland Central, Karanga remains firmly rooted in Masvingo and parts of the Midlands, often marginalising smaller dialects and languages.
Linguists argued that the survival of Zimbabwe’s indigenous languages now depends less on tradition and more on economic relevance.
The shifting linguistic landscape suggests that Zimbabwe’s language future will be determined not only by heritage, but by who controls land, resources, and opportunity.
