Africa-Press – Botswana. Sunlight slant through the window of Dr Paul Sidandi’s office at Jubilee Psychiatric Unit that forms part of Nyangabgwe Hospital in Francistown, illuminating the leather of his armchair and the half-opened laptop resting on his side desk.
The computer holds the script that seems alien, yet resonates with a familiar rhythm deep within his being. Dr Sidandi, a man whose silver hair mirrors the fading light, is tracing the lines of the African Lakeside Script.
A psychiatrist by profession, a quiet observer of the human mind, he found himself drawn back to a time before the colonial erasure, a time when the whispers of history, etched not in stone but in papyrus and bark, painted a vibrant tapestry of life.
He is one of the few who remembers the riots, the flames that consumed the very essence of a culture, and the silent screams of a people silenced by a burgeoning empire.
He is a living evidence, a walking paradox. How could a man dedicated to the quiet contemplation of the human psyche be so intimately connected to a time of political upheaval, of a script that paints a vibrant history of a continent?
The script, the very essence of what was called “African Lakeside Script,” is far more than just a system of symbols.
It is a vibrant script that could have chronicled the struggles and triumphs of the people, their language, wisdom, folklore, and even their songs.
Dr Sidandi, a beacon of modern medicine, is now dedicated to bringing the rich past to light.
The African Lakeside Script emerged from a collaboration between Dr Paul Sidandi of Botswana and Engineer Kefa Ombewa of Kenya. Dr Sidandi’s discovery of African number systems in Botswana, combined with Mr Ombewa’s invention of the Luoscript originally designed for the Luo people of Kenya, forms the foundation of the new script that can be used to write any African Language.
Initially named Luoscript, the project’s name changed following a suggestion from a team member in Botswana’s Kweneng District.
This member argued that “Luoscript” was geographically limiting, given the Luo people’s origins around Lake Victoria. The more inclusive “African Lakeside Script” was adopted.
The team, now including collaborators from various backgrounds, continues to develop the script.
Under Dr Sidandi’s leadership, they aim to create a downloadable font, placing the African Lakeside Script alongside established scripts like Arabic, Russian, and Hebrew. Their ultimate goal is to establish Africa’s own unique alphabet system, fostering self-sufficiency and enabling Africans to contribute meaningfully to the global conversation.
Dr Sidandi envisions a future where African students are no longer marginalised, able to point to their contributions, such as the Kefa and Sidandi Font used for the African Lakeside Script, with pride.
To demonstrate the script’s practicality, the team is working with an Eritrean PhD Engineering Student at Uppsala University Finland Oreen Yousuf and a Graduate from Limkokwing University of Creativity and Technology, Mr Taolo Dipatane of Lobatse Botswana who is a Graphics Designer.
They are modifying everyday objects, such as wall clocks, calenders, T-shirts to incorporate the African Lakeside Script alongside standard numerals and letters.
This approach, using a familiar item like a clock, aims to make learning the script accessible and engaging for a wide audience. His voice, low and measured, carries the weight of generations. “It is not just writing. It is a way of life.
A way of telling stories passed down through generations and preserving our history and our heritage,” said Dr Sidandi, who also doubles up as the Project Director of BAPR the Lobatse based Botswana Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation, a non-governmental organisation aimed to improve the quality of life of people psychological challenged either infected or affected by HIV/AIDS and OVCs.
He spoke of the lakeside settlements, the bustling markets, the communal dances that echoed through the nights, all woven into the script, a living demonstration to a forgotten people.
He recounted tales of rebellion, of resilience, of the intricate social structures that predated the arrival of empires. Dr Sidandi, a passionate advocate for linguistic preservation, believes that the African Lakeside script deserves a prominent place in primary education.
He argues that incorporating this script into the curriculum will empower young people, fostering a sense of pride in their language and cultural heritage.
Dr Sidandi himself stands as a testament to the importance of preserving linguistic diversity and cultural pride. “Many young people, particularly those living in the lakeside regions of Africa, are growing up with little to no knowledge of their indigenous languages,” he added. “This often leads to a weakening of cultural identity and a loss of historical connections.”
The African Lakeside script, he argues, holds the key to bridging this gap. He explained that the script is more than just a way to write our language but it is a reflection of history, values, and rich cultural narrative, adding that including it in the curriculum, thereby instilling a sense of belonging and inspire a love for Africa’s heritage within the next generation.
Dr Sidandi’s advocacy extends beyond mere inclusion as he stressed the necessity of accompanying the script’s introduction with dedicated resources and training for educators. This, he believes, is crucial for effective implementation and ensures that the script is not simply a footnote, but an integral part of the learning experience.
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