Poll: Molimo or Modimo? Which Sesotho Spelling Did You Learn?

Both words mean God. Both are pronounced the same. Yet in Sesotho spelling, a Mosotho who went to school in Maseru is likely to write Molimo, while one schooled in Bloemfontein may write Modimo.

Why is Sesotho spelling different in Lesotho and South Africa?

Lesotho and South Africa use two different spelling systems for Sesotho. In a 2022 article in HTS Teologiese Studies, Tshokolo Makutoane of the University of the Free State uses exactly this pair, Molimo and Modimo, to show that the difference is in writing, not in sound or meaning.

The Lesotho system is the older one. It was developed in the 19th century by the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society, French missionaries whom King Moshoeshoe I had invited, and the first Sesotho Bible, published in 1881, was written in it. Sesotho speakers in South Africa also read their Bible only in Lesotho spelling at that time.

South Africa’s system was announced on 1 August 1959 and used in schools from 1960. From 1961, the article notes, the Sesotho Bible was published in both spellings for the first time.

The rule behind the pairs

Most differences follow a handful of patterns. Lesotho spelling writes l before i and u, where South African spelling writes d, although both sound like a light d. Lesotho writes kh where South Africa writes kg, and ch where South Africa writes tjh. Makutoane’s example sentence shows several at once: Likhomo li a fula in Lesotho and Dikgomo di a fula in South Africa both mean “the cows are grazing”.

He also points out that South Africans with recent ancestors from Lesotho often have surnames written in Lesotho spelling, preserving the old forms.

Words to know

One more pair from the same article: lefatše and lefatshe, the earth, the world. On Bantu Plaza we teach Lesotho spelling, and we show you the South African form wherever it differs.

In everyday conversation

You will meet Molimo early, in a blessing our course teaches for partings:

• Molimo o u boloke. God keep you, God bless you.
• Tsamaea hantle. Go well, said to the one leaving.
• Sala hantle. Stay well, said to the one staying.

Quick facts

• Molimo (Lesotho) and Modimo (South Africa) both mean God and are pronounced the same.
• The Lesotho spelling system is older and was developed by the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society.
• South Africa’s Sesotho spelling was announced in 1959 and used in schools from 1960.
• Bantu Plaza teaches Lesotho spelling and shows the South African form where it differs.

Vote

Which one did you learn to write?

• A: Molimo (Lesotho spelling)
• B: Modimo (South African spelling)
• C: I learnt one at school and use the other on WhatsApp
• D: I only speak Sesotho, I never learnt to write it

Tell us in the comments, and add the word that most often starts a spelling argument in your family.

Frequently asked questions

Is it Molimo or Modimo in Sesotho?

Both are correct. Molimo is Lesotho spelling and Modimo is South African spelling; both mean God and are pronounced the same.

Why does Sesotho have two spelling systems?

The Lesotho system was developed by 19th-century missionaries, while South Africa announced its own system in 1959 and used it in schools from 1960. Lesotho kept the older spelling.

Which Sesotho spelling does Bantu Plaza teach?

We teach Lesotho spelling, and we show you the South African form wherever it differs.

For the full history, read Makutoane’s article on Sesotho orthography, or compare the wider family in Sesotho, Setswana and Sepedi: How Close Are the Sotho-Tswana Languages?

Curious about the language itself? The free 5-minute Sesotho lesson uses Lesotho spelling, our Sesotho hub gathers every level in one place, and the Sesotho: Complete Language Pack (A1 to C2) goes all the way to C2. If you want to talk it through with a person, book a trial with a Sesotho tutor.