--- dataset_info: - config_name: nbl features: - name: audio dtype: audio: sampling_rate: 48000 - name: language dtype: string - name: split dtype: string - name: audio_id dtype: string - name: recorder_uuid dtype: string - name: type dtype: string - name: system_file_name dtype: string - name: file_name dtype: string - name: full_path dtype: string - name: domain dtype: string - name: topic dtype: string - name: scenario dtype: string - name: transcript dtype: string - name: duration dtype: float64 - name: size_bytes dtype: int64 - name: microphone_device_id dtype: string - name: microphone_label dtype: string - name: signal_to_noise_ratio dtype: float64 - name: document_id dtype: string - name: source_document dtype: string splits: - name: dev num_bytes: 3145480066.134 num_examples: 2527 - name: dev_test num_bytes: 4274005383.08 num_examples: 2690 - name: train num_bytes: 71213815817.238 num_examples: 43703 download_size: 67061672724 dataset_size: 78633301266.45201 - config_name: sot features: - name: audio dtype: audio: sampling_rate: 48000 - name: language dtype: string - name: split dtype: string - name: audio_id dtype: string - name: recorder_uuid dtype: string - name: type dtype: string - name: system_file_name dtype: string - name: file_name dtype: string - name: full_path dtype: string - name: domain dtype: string - name: topic dtype: string - name: scenario dtype: string - name: transcript dtype: string - name: duration dtype: float64 - name: size_bytes dtype: int64 - name: microphone_device_id dtype: string - name: microphone_label dtype: string - name: signal_to_noise_ratio dtype: float64 - name: document_id dtype: string - name: source_document dtype: string splits: - name: dev num_bytes: 8395949858.04 num_examples: 3930 - name: dev_test num_bytes: 8397675520.116 num_examples: 3719 - name: train num_bytes: 149511684840.826 num_examples: 66389 download_size: 137589622154 dataset_size: 166305310218.982 - config_name: tsn features: - name: audio dtype: audio: sampling_rate: 48000 - name: language dtype: string - name: split dtype: string - name: audio_id dtype: string - name: recorder_uuid dtype: string - name: type dtype: string - name: system_file_name dtype: string - name: file_name dtype: string - name: full_path dtype: string - name: domain dtype: string - name: topic dtype: string - name: scenario dtype: string - name: transcript dtype: string - name: duration dtype: float64 - name: size_bytes dtype: int64 - name: microphone_device_id dtype: string - name: microphone_label dtype: string - name: signal_to_noise_ratio dtype: float64 - name: document_id dtype: string - name: source_document dtype: string splits: - name: dev num_bytes: 9481268628.526 num_examples: 4949 - name: dev_test num_bytes: 8184761591.058 num_examples: 5269 - name: train num_bytes: 150612518864.69 num_examples: 84383 download_size: 134497521300 dataset_size: 168278549084.274 - config_name: tso features: - name: audio dtype: audio: sampling_rate: 48000 - name: language dtype: string - name: split dtype: string - name: audio_id dtype: string - name: recorder_uuid dtype: string - name: type dtype: string - name: system_file_name dtype: string - name: file_name dtype: string - name: full_path dtype: string - name: domain dtype: string - name: topic dtype: string - name: scenario dtype: string - name: transcript dtype: string - name: duration dtype: float64 - name: size_bytes dtype: int64 - name: microphone_device_id dtype: string - name: microphone_label dtype: string - name: signal_to_noise_ratio dtype: float64 - name: document_id dtype: string - name: source_document dtype: string splits: - name: dev num_bytes: 4760055234.24 num_examples: 3252 - name: dev_test num_bytes: 6042426375.476 num_examples: 4394 - name: train num_bytes: 153983175001.994 num_examples: 67119 download_size: 137973560845 dataset_size: 164785656611.71 - config_name: ven features: - name: audio dtype: audio: sampling_rate: 48000 - name: language dtype: string - name: split dtype: string - name: audio_id dtype: string - name: recorder_uuid dtype: string - name: type dtype: string - name: system_file_name dtype: string - name: file_name dtype: string - name: full_path dtype: string - name: domain dtype: string - name: topic dtype: string - name: scenario dtype: string - name: transcript dtype: string - name: duration dtype: float64 - name: size_bytes dtype: int64 - name: microphone_device_id dtype: string - name: microphone_label dtype: string - name: signal_to_noise_ratio dtype: float64 - name: document_id dtype: string - name: source_document dtype: string splits: - name: dev num_bytes: 4988350033.44 num_examples: 2360 - name: dev_test num_bytes: 3438082385.95 num_examples: 1655 - name: train num_bytes: 61432266924.632 num_examples: 36344 download_size: 71383445668 dataset_size: 69858699344.022 - config_name: xho features: - name: audio dtype: audio: sampling_rate: 48000 - name: language dtype: string - name: split dtype: string - name: audio_id dtype: string - name: recorder_uuid dtype: string - name: type dtype: string - name: system_file_name dtype: string - name: file_name dtype: string - name: full_path dtype: string - name: domain dtype: string - name: topic dtype: string - name: scenario dtype: string - name: transcript dtype: string - name: duration dtype: float64 - name: size_bytes dtype: int64 - name: microphone_device_id dtype: string - name: microphone_label dtype: string - name: signal_to_noise_ratio dtype: float64 - name: document_id dtype: string - name: source_document dtype: string splits: - name: dev num_bytes: 8051558930.592 num_examples: 3768 - name: dev_test num_bytes: 8485676533.542 num_examples: 3639 - name: train num_bytes: 162178591913.852 num_examples: 62786 download_size: 140078097026 dataset_size: 178715827377.986 - config_name: zul features: - name: audio dtype: audio: sampling_rate: 48000 - name: language dtype: string - name: split dtype: string - name: audio_id dtype: string - name: recorder_uuid dtype: string - name: type dtype: string - name: system_file_name dtype: string - name: file_name dtype: string - name: full_path dtype: string - name: domain dtype: string - name: topic dtype: string - name: scenario dtype: string - name: transcript dtype: string - name: duration dtype: float64 - name: size_bytes dtype: int64 - name: microphone_device_id dtype: string - name: microphone_label dtype: string - name: signal_to_noise_ratio dtype: float64 - name: document_id dtype: string - name: source_document dtype: string splits: - name: dev num_bytes: 8160647223.72 num_examples: 3068 - name: dev_test num_bytes: 8882670407.5 num_examples: 3025 - name: train num_bytes: 146787407533.58 num_examples: 50386 download_size: 142055351071 dataset_size: 163830725164.8 configs: - config_name: nbl data_files: - split: dev path: nbl/dev-* - split: dev_test path: nbl/dev_test-* - split: train path: nbl/train-* - config_name: sot data_files: - split: dev path: sot/dev-* - split: dev_test path: sot/dev_test-* - split: train path: sot/train-* - config_name: tsn data_files: - split: dev path: tsn/dev-* - split: dev_test path: tsn/dev_test-* - split: train path: tsn/train-* - config_name: tso data_files: - split: dev path: tso/dev-* - split: dev_test path: tso/dev_test-* - split: train path: tso/train-* - config_name: ven data_files: - split: dev path: ven/dev-* - split: dev_test path: ven/dev_test-* - split: train path: ven/train-* - config_name: xho data_files: - split: dev path: xho/dev-* - split: dev_test path: xho/dev_test-* - split: train path: xho/train-* - config_name: zul data_files: - split: dev path: zul/dev-* - split: dev_test path: zul/dev_test-* - split: train path: zul/train-* license: cc-by-4.0 extra_gated_prompt: I agree to use this data with the license conditions and use restrictions. You agree to NOT USE the data for creating models for any form of text-to-speech (TTS), voice cloning, voice synthesis, or any technology intended to replicate or generate human voices. extra_gated_fields: Company: text Country: country Specific date: date_picker I want to use this model for: type: select options: - Research - Education - label: Other value: other I agree to use this data with the license conditions and use restrictions: checkbox task_categories: - automatic-speech-recognition pretty_name: za-african-next-voices size_categories: - 1M ### 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. --- You can load a language (e.g., zul) using the 🤗 `datasets` library ```python from datasets import load_dataset # Load isiZulu configuration ds = load_dataset("dsfsi-anv/za-african-next-voices", "zul") ``` You can also load the dataset in **streaming mode**, which is useful when working with large datasets: ```python ds = load_dataset("dsfsi-anv/za-african-next-voices", "zul", split="dev_test", streaming=True) ``` Downloading CSV Files Only - Colab Example ```python from huggingface_hub import hf_hub_download, login import os from google.colab import userdata # Define the repository ID repo_id = "dsfsi-anv/za-african-next-voices" # Define variables for split and lang_code split = "train" lang_code = "sot" # Authenticate with Hugging Face using the token from Colab's user data try: hf_token = userdata.get('HF_TOKEN') login(token=hf_token) print("Successfully authenticated with Hugging Face.") except Exception as e: print(f"Error authenticating with Hugging Face: {e}") # Define the paths of the files to download using the variables file_paths = [ f"{split}/{lang_code}/meta.csv", f"{split}/{lang_code}/transcripts.csv", ] # Download the files for file_path in file_paths: try: downloaded_file_path = hf_hub_download(repo_id=repo_id, filename=file_path, repo_type="dataset", local_dir = "./") print(f"Downloaded {file_path} to {downloaded_file_path}") except Exception as e: print(f"Error downloading {file_path}: {e}") ``` ### 🔧 Troubleshooting If you encounter **audio decoding errors** (e.g., frames with 0 channels, missing decoder attributes), make sure you have compatible versions of the required libraries installed. The dataset has been tested and works with the following: ```bash pip install --upgrade datasets[audio]==3.6.0 pip install --upgrade ffmpeg pip install --upgrade ffmpeg-python ``` ## Available Fields | Field | Description | | --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | | `audio` | 48kHz mono `.wav` audio file (automatically decoded) | | `transcript` | Transcribed utterance | | `recorder_uuid` | Unique speaker ID | | `type` | Scripted or unscripted | | `domain` | Thematic domain (e.g., Health, Agriculture, etc.) | | `duration` | Duration of the clip in seconds | | `gender` | Speaker gender (if available) | | `age_range` | Speaker's age group (e.g., 18–29, 30–39) | | `...` ## Splits All data is split into: - `train` (85%) - `dev` (5%) - `dev_test` (5%) - `test` (5%) 🔒 – reserved for future shared tasks/public leaderboards _All splits are **speaker-disjoint** to ensure reproducibility and avoid data leakage._ --- ## License **Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)** You are free to use, share, and adapt the data—with proper attribution to the South Africa NextVoices team. ## Intended Use - Training/fine-tuning ASR models - Developing inclusive speech technology for African users - Cross-lingual learning and low-resource transfer - Model evaluation and benchmarking ## ⚠️ Limitations and Ethical Use - Dialectal diversity and regional accents may not be fully covered - The dataset is not intended for surveillance or other harmful use - All use must comply with ethical AI principles --- ## 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 ``` @article{marivatee2025swivuriso0, title = {Swivuriso: The South African Next Voices Multilingual Speech Dataset}, author = {Vukosi Marivatee and Kayode Olaleye and Sitwala Mundia and Andinda Bakainga and Unarine Netshifhefhe and Mahmooda Milanzie and Tsholofelo Hope Mogale and Thapelo Sindane and Zainab Abdulrasaq and Kesego Mokgosi and Chijioke Okorie and Nia Zion Van Wyk and Graham Morrissey and Dale Dunbar and Francois Smit and Tsosheletso Chidi and Rooweither Mabuya and Andiswa Bukula and Respect Mlambo and Tebogo Macucwa and Idris Abdulmumin and and Seani Rananga}, year = {2025}, journal = {arXiv preprint arXiv: 2512.02201} } ```