Lydia Nyati-Ramahobo
Lydia Nyati-Ramahobo | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 October 1957 Botswana |
| Died | 9 May 2025 (aged 67) |
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania |
| Occupations | Linguistic scholar and activist |
| Employer | University of Botswana |
| Organization | Kamanakao Association |
Lydia Nyati-Ramahobo (24 October 1957 – 9 May 2025), also known as Lydia Saleshando, was a Motswana linguistic scholar and activist for the cultural rights of non-Tswanas and the Wayeyi tribe. She was a founder member of the Kamanakao Association.
Biography
Nyati-Ramahobo was born on 24 October 1957 in Botswana.[1] She studied her masters degree and PhD in applied linguistics at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, United States,[2] graduating with her doctorate in 1991.[3] Nyati-Ramahobo worked at the University of Botswana[4] as head of the Department of Primary Education and as Dean of the Faculty of Education.[3]
Nyati-Ramahobo was a founder member and chairperson of the Kamanakao Association,[5] founded in 1995, a pressure group for the linguistic and cultural rights of the Wayeyi tribe, promoting the Seyeyi language, and preserving cultural heritage.[1][2] Although the Wayeyi tribe are a majority in Botswana, theirs is a minority language.[2] She published The National Language: A Resource or a Problem? The Implementation of the Language Policy of Botswana in 2001.[6][7]
Nyati-Ramahobo also raised concerns about governmental assimilationist policies,[8] tribal questions on police booking forms,[9] and the alleged negligence in the investigation process after the death of paramount chief, Shikati Calvin Kamanakao, who was unrecognised by the government at the time of his death.[10] Due to Nyati-Ramahobo's campaigning efforts, the work of the Kamanakao Association and a tribal coalition, the Government of Botswana set up the Balopi Commission to investigate tribal discrimination and review Sections 77, 78 and 79 of the Constitution of Botswana.[2] The commission found that the structure of the House of Chiefs of Botswana, later renamed Ntlo ya Dikgosi, "tended to be discriminatory" and the Bogosi Act was passed in response.[11]
In 2005, Nyati-Ramahobo was named a Nobel Peace Prize 1000 PeaceWomen Across the Globe (PWAG).[2]
Nyati-Ramahobo died on 9 May 2025.[1][4]
References
- ^ a b c Pelontle, Kedirebofe (19 May 2025). "Nyati-Ramahobo laid to rest". Daily News Botswana. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e "Lydia Nyati-Ramahobo". PeaceWomen Across the Globe. 2005. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ a b Baldauf, Richard B.; Kaplan, Robert B. (2004). Language Planning and Policy in Africa. Multilingual Matters. p. 282. ISBN 978-1-85359-725-1.
- ^ a b Shone, Irene (21 May 2025). "Academic giant falls, but". The Midweek Sun. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ Melber, Henning (2003). Limits to Liberation in Southern Africa: The Unfinished Business of Democratic Consolidation. HSRC Press. p. 108. ISBN 978-0-7969-2025-6.
- ^ "Book Reviews". Current Issues in Language Planning. 2 (1): 119–132. 2001. doi:10.1080/14664200108668020. ISSN 1466-4208. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ Nyati-Saleshando, Lydia (16 February 2016). "Cultural Diversity and African Language Education: The Role of Urbanization and Globalization". Journal of Studies in Education. 6 (1): 160–170. doi:10.5296/jse.v6i1.8243. ISSN 2162-6952. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ Modise, Oliver (25 June 2007). "Botswana: Appointed Chiefs Fake - Ramahobo". Mmegi. Retrieved 7 January 2026 – via allAfrica.com.
- ^ letsididi, Bashi (20 March 2009). "Botswana: O Mo Kae? It Still Matters!". Mmegi. Retrieved 7 January 2026 – via allAfrica.com.
- ^ "Botswana tribal coalition calls for end to 'assimilationist policies'". Minority Rights Group Blog. 15 March 2004. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ Sharma, Keshav C. "The Role of the House of Chiefs (Ntlo ya Dikgosi) in Botswana" (PDF). In Ray, Donald I.; Quinlan, Tim; Sharma, Keshav; Clarke, Tacita A. O. (eds.). Reinventing African Chieftaincy in the Age of AIDS, Gender, Governance, and Development (PDF). Vol. 8. University of Calgary Press. hdl:1880/48426. ISBN 978-1-55238-537-1. ISSN 1703-1826. Retrieved 7 January 2026.