The origin of isiZulu dates back to the Bantu expansion, where the migration of Bantu-speaking communities eastward across Africa led to the emergence of numerous dialects. isiZulu belongs to the Nguni subgroup of Bantu languages, which includes other languages like isiXhosa, isiSwati, and isiNdebele. These languages share similar grammatical structures and vocabulary, making it easier for speakers of one language to understand another. Professor Sihawu Ngubane speaks to Pabi Moloi.