Phumudzo Rakhetha from Gaba has published a new Tshivenda/English dictionary for learners from Grade 1 to 7, titled “Tshedza”. The book, which was launched last week, was compiled in collaboration with Prof Mudzulathungo Mmbi (a language expert), Mr Domina Muzhelele (an advisor, typesetter, and designer), and Mr Maitela Nevhutalu (general overseer). Aimed at expanding young people’s vocabulary, the book will be used at various primary schools and crèches around Vhembe.

The dictionary provides the reader with the correct spelling, pronunciation, and meaning of words and even gives examples of how the words are used within their respective contexts. “The book provides the plural form of nouns, whether a noun is countable or not, gives synonyms and antonyms of words, words derived from the same root, or family, and the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives. The dictionary also provides the reader with the past tense and participle forms of verbs and which syllable of a word to stress. It further gives the origin of some foreign, or borrowed, words, and whether a certain word is slang, taboo, a formal, informal, archaic word, or a colloquial expression,” he said.

Rakhetha started his schooling at Gaba Primary and completed his matric at Funzani Secondary School. He enrolled at the University of Venda in 2005 to study for a degree in environmental sciences. A lack of finances forced him to suspend his studies in 2007, but he completed his degree in 2010. He is currently working as a stock-receiving clerk at a local Boxer store.