Umhlahlandlela Wamabhizinisi Amancane
Umhlahlandlela Wamabhizinisi Amancane, the isiZulu translation of the Small Business Handbook, was launchedin EThekwini on Thursday 7 December.The English version was written by Nokwazi Mzobe, Founder of Matoyana Business Solutions, with the isiZulu book done in partnership with P&G South Africa, who sponsored the translation of the book from English into isiZulu, as well as the EThekwini Library and Heritage Services who hosted the launch.
Nokwazi Mzobe and the team at Matoyana believe entrepreneurial knowledge should be more accessible. Part of this vision includes making the Small Business Handbook available in South Africa’s indigenous languages. isiZulu was chosen as the initial translation as it is the most common language in the country, spoken by 11.9 million South Africans according to the last census in 2011.
The launch was attended by the Ethekwini Library staff; the sponsors, Procter and Gamble; members of the public; invited guests; family members and the media. Using the Ethekwini Municipalityas a venue for the launch was a good fit, as Mrs Thobela Ngidi, Head of Libraries and Heritage Services explained in her speech: “Approximately 90% of the books in our libraries are from overseas authors.” So it was inspiring to the audience that this new book is written by a South African and available in isiZulu. She further expressed that more South African writers need to write and encouraged them to write in their indigenous languages.
The next guest speaker, Mrs Khululiwe Mabaso, explained why Procter and Gamble partnered with Matoyana by sponsoring this book, as they prioritise the support of small businesses. Mrs Bathabile Mpofu, Social Entrepreneur and Founder of Nkazimulo Sciences, also spoke. She told us that she has read the English version of the book and that she learnt a lot from it. She mentioned that she believes that she wouldn’t have come this far, if she hadn’t learnt from others who had already gone through the entrepreneurial journey.
The launch was well facilitated by Mr Ntokozo Biyela, consultant, entrepreneur and author of the book Mindset Shift. He told the audience that he read the book within a few hours and that he has shared it with his two sons. He said the following “This is a well written book, the best written book in terms of small business.” He further encouraged entrepreneurs to purchase the book.
The response to the isiZulu translation has been very positive. When asked about the translation process Nokwazi says; “We worked with a translation company who helped us identify someone with a skill in translating business writing. We gave them a very clear brief as to how the book should be translated – it had to be conversational Zulu 
(as the English book is written in a similar manner). Before we signed up with them, we asked them to translate a paragraph, which we then sent to isiZulu speakers to critique. We then hired another translator, who does translations in Parliament, who did the proofread and ensured the isiZulu text would make sense to the reader.”
“I’d just like to thank our sponsors, Procter and Gamble for helping us turn our vision and hard work into a reality,” continues Nokwazi, “And for Ethekwini Municipality for trusting in our work, and partnering with us in the launch. I look forward to seeing our books in all their libraries. Lastly, thank you to the Matoyana team, who’s hard work made this a reality.”
2018 sees Matoyana getting ready to translate the Small Business Handbook into at least another three South African languages. The English and isiZulu Small Business Handbooks are available to order online at Matoyana, as well as a downloadable version via Snapplify.
About the Small Business Handbook:
This book, written in English and isiZulu, is a resource tool which the business owner and aspiring entrepreneur can refer to for ideas on how to addressissues in business. Be it how to create an ethical business environment, through to understanding different business (revenue) model strategies.
Email: info@rocketpad.co.za
