Tshwa in Zimbabwe

The Koisan also referred to as San of Zimbabwe make up only a small portion of the total San population of Southern Africa. The Koisan in Tsholotsho District generally identify themselves as Tshwa. The Koisan (Tshwa) are resident mainly in two provinces of Zimbabwe: Matabeleland North Province (in Tsholotsho District) and Matabeleland South Province (in Bulilima District). The Koisan are divided into a number of different groups, some of whom have long occupied the same land, while others have either moved to new places on their own or been resettled. There are very few fluent mother-tongue speakers of the Koisan language. The Koisan of Western Zimbabwe, who are sometimes referred to as the Amasili or Abathwa, are divided into a number of different groups, including the Xaise, Ganade, Cirecire, Jitswa and Kaitsum. According to the Zimbabwe Census Report 2022, there are only 305 (0.002%) surviving mother-tongue speakers of the Koisan language in Zimbabwe.