₦airaland Forum

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Miss Debby Oluwatimilehin Akinsola, a 25- year - old Nigerian student , has revealed the secret behind her speaking of 11 official South Africa languages.

Akinsola, who was born in Ibadan , Oyo State , told the News Agency of Nigeria in Pretoria , South Africa , on Sunday that her family ’ s relocation to different southern African countries necessitated her learning of the different languages .

She listed the languages as isiZulu , Setswana, Ndebele , Isixhosa , Sesotho, Tsonga /Xangani , Afrikaans , English , Sepedi, Venda, and Swati.

“ At the age of four in 2002 , my parents moved to Botswana . There, we stayed in locations , known locally as “ Metsimotlhabe” in Gaborone , the capital of Botswana .

“ We were the only Nigerians there and most locals could not speak English . We used hand gestures to interact and communicate . As a child then , I started speaking Setswana , the Botswana language, ” she said .

She noted that things turned around faster , following their relocation to South Africa in 2010.

“ I had just finished secondary school then . My family stayed in Soweto and the popular language was Zulu .

“ In the shops , barbers shop , market , churches and taxi drivers , everybody spoke the Zulu language .

“ As I started school there , it took me one year and a few months to learn and speak the 11 languages in South Africa .

“ I can also speak and write the Yoruba language fluently , ” she said .

Akinsola later read business management at the University of Pretoria and presently , she is studying professional diploma at the Chartered Institute of Secretaries .

According to her , her fluency in the languages earned her the role of an interpreter at her local church.

“ In our local church in Pretoria , Apostolic Faith Church , I am the interpreter of the General Overseer .

“ The GO speaks Zulu and any local language and I interpret in English to the congregation, ” she said .

Akinsola said she and her elder brother, Samuel , a computer expert , are the only children of their parents.

On her future , Akinsola said she would like to marry a Nigerian to continue with her language and culture .

“ The last time I visited Ibadan was in 2008. My parents are now missionaries based in South Africa . I will like to marry a Nigerian . I want my children to know my language and culture .

“ My dream is to become a board member in a firm after getting my professional certificate , ” she said . (NAN )

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