International Journal of Languages and Culture
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| Volume 5, Issue 2, December 2025 | |
| Research PaperOpenAccess | |
Decolonized Siswati Storytelling and Intrapreneurship: A Path to Cultural Recovery |
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1African Languages, and Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, Limpopo Province, South Africa. E-mail: nontokozo.mdhluli@univen.ac.za
*Corresponding Author | |
| Int.J.Lang. and Cult. 5(2) (2025) 14-23, DOI: https://doi.org/10.51483/IJLC.5.2.2025.14-23 | |
| Received: 24/08/2025|Accepted: 03/12/2025|Published: 25/12/2025 |
This study investigates the function of decolonized Siswati storytelling in fostering cultural recovery, identity development, and intrapreneurship in contemporary African civilizations. The study looks into how indigenous narratives can be used to reclaim cultural heritage, build individual and communal identity, and inspire new practices within organisations and communities. The study is guided by the following research questions: (1) How can Siswati storytelling help with cultural recovery and identity development? (2) How might these tales influence intrapreneurial activities in local contexts? The study is based on postcolonial theory and indigenous knowledge systems frameworks, emphasizing storytelling as a tool for fighting colonial legacies and disseminating communal wisdom. A qualitative approach taken, including textual analysis of selected folktales and semi-structured interviews with storytellers, educators, and community leaders. The findings show that Siswati stories incorporate moral ideals, historical memory, and communal ethics, which promotes cultural identity and provide novel approaches to problem solving and intrapreneurial thinking. It emphasizes storytelling as a link between tradition and modern practice, demonstrating its ability to foster creative, culturally grounded solutions in local and organizational settings. The study adds to the corpus of knowledge by presenting Siswati folklore as a dynamic epistemic resource that guides both cultural preservation and entrepreneurial innovation. The recommendations include incorporating Siswati narratives into school curricula, supporting community-led innovation projects, and using storytelling as a paradigm for intrapreneurial training. To summarize, decolonized Siswati storytelling is an effective tool for cultural recovery, identity creation, and fostering intrapreneurial potential, indicating that indigenous epistemologies may drive both cultural and economic change.
Keywords: Traditions, Community, Sustainability, Epistemology and Innovation
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