Using proverbial and idiomatic expressions to teach the values of Ubuntu to isiZulu Home Language learners
Authors: Ntshangase Sicelo Ziphozonke , Zulu Sibonelo Edgar 
Published: July 2024

This study reports on how proverbs and idioms can be utilised to teach the values of Ubuntu to isiZulu Home Language learners in the South African education context. This is an interpretivist qualitative research study, reporting on how schools and teachers struggle to deal with learners’ insolence, misconduct and bullying, personality traits opposed to Ubuntu. This is a desk top study reporting on data generated from the following isiZulu books: Inqolobane Yesizwe, Izaqheqhe, Zinqunywa Amakhanda!, Injula Nokujiya KwesiZulu neNsengwakazi. The study is underpinned by semiotic theory and social constructivism. Semiotic theory focuses on language imageries and symbols, which are proverbs and idioms, as well as the message they relay in relation to the values of Ubuntu. Social constructivism stresses the significance of a tripolar education, which advocates for collaborative learning between learners, teachers and community. Using the thematic analysis approach, the paper reports on the role of proverbs and idioms in teaching respect, good morals and love. It is evident that ancient wisdom was used as a reservoir from which the forebearers drew their inspiration to coin proverbs and idioms, thus teaching and reprimanding both the young and old. The findings demonstrate that the values of Ubuntu can be restored through proverbs and idioms. A learner-centred pedagogical approach and indigenous knowledge systems can be used to promote epistemological diversity. IQOQA Inhloso yaleli phepha ukuhlaziya ukuthi izaga nezisho zingasetshenziswa kanjani ukufundisa ngobuntu kubafundi abenza isiZulu uLimi Lwasekhaya emfundweni yaseNingizimu-Afrika. Lolu wucwaningo oluyikhwalithethivu, oluveza ngendlela esakuxoxa, kusetshenziswa ipharadayimu yokuhumusha ukubika ukuthi ukungahloniphi, ukungaziphathi kahle, nobubhoklolo kuwumthelela wokwehluleka kwesikole nothisha ukutshala ubuntu kubafundi babo. Imininingo yaleli phepha ikhiqizwe kusetshenziswa izincwadi zesiZulu, okuyilezi: Inqolobane Yesizwe, Izaqheqhe, Zinqunywa Amakhanda!, Injula Nokujiya KwesiZulu, neNsengwakazi. Izinjulalwazi ezilawula lolu cwaningo yiSemiyothikhi kanye ne-Social constructivism. Injulalwazi iSemiyothikhi yakhethwa ngoba ikhuluma ngokuhunyushwa kwezimpawu zolimi, kulolu cwaningo okuyizaga nezisho, kanye nomyalezo eziwedlulisayo ngobuntu. I-Social constructivism yona yakhethwa ngoba igxile ekwakhiweni kolwazi olusha kanye nokubaluleka kokusebenzisana phakathi kwabafundi, othisha nomphakathi, okuyimfundo enxantathu. Ngokusebenzisa indlela yokuhlaziya ngokwezindikimba, lolu cwaningo lubheka indlela othisha abafundisa ngayo izaga nezisho ukufundisa ngobuntu, okufaka inhlonipho, ukuziphatha kanye nothando. Lolu cwaningo luveza incazelo nolwazi ngemvelaphi yezaga nezisho nokuthi Ubuntu buvuseleleka kanjani kubafundi uma befundiswa ngezaga nezisho. Kuyavela emiphumeleni yalolu cwaningo ukuthi abadala babebuka ukwenzeka kwezinto emphakathini bese beqamba izaga nezisho ngaleso senzeko ngenhloso yokufundisa noma ukuyala izingane kanye nomphakathi jikelele. Ngakho-ke, imiphumela yocwaningo iveza ukuthi uma abafundi emakilasini esiZulu befundiswa ngemvelaphi kanye nencazelo yezaga nezisho kuyabenza babe nobuntu. Ucwaningo luthole ukuthi yinkulu indima edlalwa izaga nezisho ukubuyisa ubuntu ezikoleni kanye nasemphakathini uma kusetshenziswa indlela yokufundisa egxile emfundweni yendabuko.