The South African Next Voices Multilingual Speech Dataset [Compressed]

Swivuriso: ZA-African Next Voices-Compressed Swivuriso is a large-scale multilingual speech dataset targeting over 3000 hours of audio across 7 South African languages. The dataset is developed to support Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and inclusive speech technologies for low-resource African languages. It combines both scripted and unscripted speech, collected through ethical, community-centered processes. Dataset Paper: ArXiv - Work in Progress This is a compressed version of the original dataset https://huggingface.co/datasets/dsfsi-anv/za-african-next-voices/ ⚠️ IMPORTANT: Visit the original dataset for full details Language Coverage Language Target Hours Released isiZulu 500 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 100% isiXhosa 500 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 100% Sesotho 500 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 100% Setswana 500 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 100% Xitsonga 500 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 100% isiNdebele 250 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 100% Tshivenda 250 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 100% Use Restriction: The persons whose voices are included in this dataset, and the creators and owners of this dataset* do not give consent in any manner or form to, and strictly prohibit any use of this dataset for any form of text-to-speech (TTS), voice cloning, voice synthesis, or any technology or activity intended to replicate, mimic or generate human voices or any technology or activity resulting in the replication, mimicry or generation of human voices. This dataset includes scripted and unscripted speech across various domains such as agriculture, health, finance, sports, transport, culture, society, and general topics. It is primarily designed for use in automatic speech recognition (ASR) tasks. Use of this dataset for any form of text-to-speech (TTS), voice cloning, voice synthesis, or any technology intended to replicate or generate human voices is strictly prohibited. These restrictions are in place until further notice. Citations If you use Swivuriso in your work, please cite both of the below: Dataset @dataset{za-african-next-voices-2025, title = {The South African Next Voices Multilingual Speech Dataset}, author = {Marivate, Vukosi and Olaleye, Kayode and Mundia, Sitwala and Bakainga, Andinda and Netshifhefhe, Unarine Leo and Milanzie, Mahmooda and Mogale, Hope and SINDANE, THAPELO and Abdulrasaq, Zainab and Mokgosi, Kesego and Okorie, Chijioke and van Wyk, Nia Zion and Morrissey, Graham and Dunbar, Dale and Smit, Francois and Chidi, Tsosheletso and Mabuya, Rooweither and Bukula, Andiswa and MLAMBO, RESPECT and Macucwa, Solomon Tebogo and Abdulmumin, Idris and Rananga, Seani}, url2 = {https://github.com/dsfsi/za-african-next-voices}, url3 = {https://www.dsfsi.co.za/za-african-next-voices/}, year = {2025}, type = {dataset}, publisher = {Zenodo}, version = {1.0}, doi = {10.5281/zenodo.17776289}, url = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17776289}, } Research Paper Will be available soon.