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In a world where screens often dominate our children's attention, it's refreshing to discover an app that not only embraces technology but also nurtures our little ones' connection to their rich cultural roots. Enter Mahlahle, a labour of love designed to gently introduce African languages to children aged 2 to 8. We had the privilege of interviewing one of the app's visionary creators about language, heritage and the power of starting young.
Mukondleteri Dumela, the founder of Mahlahle, is not just a tech innovator but also a devoted parent. It was his role as a father that sparked the idea for Mahlahle, named after his own daughter and the Xitsonga word for the planet Venus. This personal connection infuses every aspect of this app with warmth and purpose.
Can you tell us about what inspired you to create Mahlahle?
Mukondleteri: The inspiration came from my three-year-old daughter, Mahlahle, after whom the app is named. We already had Angula, an app for adults to learn African languages. Mahlahle is an addition to help young children explore and appreciate African languages and cultures.
Developing an app for children must come with unique challenges. What hurdles did you face?
Mukondleteri: The challenges of building language apps lie in seamlessly integrating the languages, software and business aspects of the app. Each aspect requires collaboration with different partners. For language development, we work with dozens of language practitioners, which presents interesting project management challenges. Building software for kids is also challenging due to the need for engaging, age-appropriate content and user experience.
What impact do you hope Mahlahle will have on children and families?
Mukondleteri: We want Mahlahle to get kids excited about speaking their mother tongues and foster a love for African languages. We want the app to be the go-to app for language-related needs for kids living in the SADC region.
How does Mahlahle contribute to preserving cultural heritage?
Mukondleteri: The preservation and accessibility of African languages are crucial. These languages carry culture, history and identity. By promoting African languages through apps like Mahlahle, we help keep these languages alive and relevant. This fosters pride and belonging among learners of all ages. Our vision is to make it easy for anyone to learn any African language.
The founder's passion for this project is evident in every aspect of Mahlahle. From its inception, inspired by a father's love for his daughter, to its careful development in collaboration with language experts, the app embodies a labour of love. It's a testament to the power of combining personal motivation with a broader vision for cultural preservation and education.
For families looking to embark on this beautiful journey of language and culture, Mahlahle is readily accessible. The app is available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Simply search for "Mahlahle" to begin exploring the rich tapestry of African languages with your little ones. Whether you're reinforcing your family's mother tongue or introducing children to the languages of their heritage or neighbours, Mahlahle provides a supportive and engaging environment for learning. And for parents eager to join their children on this linguistic adventure, there's more good news: you can sign up for adult language courses available on the Angula app, Mahlahle's companion for grown-ups. This way, the whole family can learn together and create a harmonious blend of languages across generations.
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