AFRICA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH: Kiswahili to take centre stage

HAVANA: TANZANIA has expressed readiness to make use of Kiswahili language as a instrument for spurring Africa’s financial progress.Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports, Dr Damas Ndumbaro, made the remarks on Friday on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan on the First International Kiswahili Conference held in Havana, Cuba.

The occasion was attended by round 400 contributors from numerous components of the world, together with delegation and Kiswahili stakeholders and professionals from Tanzania.

It additionally included the launch of Español-Swahili dictionary ready by the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) in collaboration with the University of Ha- vana, in addition to the revealing of Swahili-Spanish proverbs e-book revealed by the Kiswahili Council of Tanzania (BAKITA).

Furthermore, a Swahili and Spanish studying e-book ready by Kiswahili consultants from State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) was launched and in addition the revealing of Mwalimu Nyerere statue within the Heroes’ Park positioned in Havana.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her Cuban coun- terpart, Miguel Diaz-Canel, had been scheduled to attend the occasion however the Tanzanian Head of State postponed her go to to the island nation as a result of current influence of Hurricane Rafael.

Minister Ndumbaro stated that in the course of the liberation struggles of the nations in Southern Africa, Cuba not solely supported the nations with technical help and weapons but additionally volunteered its troopers to hitch them within the combat for the dignity and respect of Africans.

He stated that Tanzania determined to carry the First International Kiswahili Conference, because the East African nation was an essential centre for freedom fighters throughout the African continent and the first language used in the course of the actions was Kiswahili.

“Freedom fighters from various African countries used Kiswahili to communicate and today, those freedom fighters are leaders in their nations… as we continue the struggle for economic liberation in Africa and seek collaboration with our Caribbean counterparts, we believe that Kiswahili will facilitate and enable com- munication to promote integration in trade, tourism and investment across Africa,” he stated.

“For the individuals of the Caribbean to learn extra from the alternatives accessible in Africa, they’ve each cause to undertake Kiswahili as a instrument to strengthen our bilateral relationships.

Likewise, Africans can profit extra from alternatives within the Caribbean; because the variety of Kiswahili audio system on this area grows, commerce between us will enhance considerably,” added Dr Ndumbaro.

Dr Ndumbaro added that Kiswahili has continued to develop and unfold by being utilized in numerous regional integration communities, together with the African Union (AU) and is recognised by the United Nations companies like UNESCO.

He known as upon Caribbean individuals and stakeholders to grab the chance to be taught the language, emphasising its significance in fostering cultural integration, commerce, tourism and financial progress.

“We believe in the power of the Kiswahili language to connect the people of Tanzania and Cuba, as well as those of Africa and the Caribbean, fostering greater solidarity between us,” he stated.

On his half, Minister for Foreign Affairs and East Afri- can Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, conveyed President Samia’s greetings to the federal government of Cuba and the University of Havana for his or her willingness and ac- tive participation in making the convention successful of their nation.

He urged stakeholders, promoters and all Kiswahili fans in Tanzania to reap the benefits of the chance to advertise language, given the worldwide competitors surrounding the language.

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“President Samia is actively opening up the country, she is promoting Kiswahili and creating numerous opportunities for us. Now it is up to you to seize these opportunities. Language is competitive globally, if you do not embrace it, we will be overshadowed by our neighbours,” stated Mr Kombo.

He additionally conveyed President Samia’s consolation message to the President of Cuba and its individuals following Hurricane Raphael, which affected two cities within the nation and guaranteed that Tanzania will proceed to collaborate with Cuba to uphold Kiswahili diplomacy.