Tanzania Marks World Kiswahili Day with Vision of Shared Growth

By Edward Makuzva

The Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Harare, Zimbabwe, joined the global community on Friday to celebrate World Kiswahili Day, marking the fourth official celebration since UNESCO declared Kiswahili an international day of recognition in 2019.

Guest of honour and newly appointed Tanzanian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Susan Kaganda, called on embassies to strengthen collaboration in advancing the shared vision of the Tanzanian and Zimbabwean leadership.

Ambassador Kaganda emphasized the importance of working closely across various areas of cooperation, including trade, tourism, education, and cultural exchange, to deepen bilateral ties and deliver tangible benefits to the people of both nations.

She highlighted the language’s historic and unifying role in Africa, stating that the day is not just important to Tanzania, but to the entire African continent and the world at large.

“It reflects the strength of our shared culture, history, and aspirations,” she said.

Ambassador Susan Kaganda, who has officially assumed her diplomatic duties at the Tanzanian Embassy, called on all embassy staff to collaborate closely in advancing the shared vision of the Tanzanian and Zimbabwean leadership across key areas of cooperation.

“Kiswahili, which originated along the East African coast, has grown to become one of Africa’s most widely spoken languages.

In 2019, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) adopted Kiswahili as one of its official languages, further cementing its status as a continental bridge of communication and identity,” she added.

The celebration also highlighted the deep historical ties between Tanzania and Zimbabwe. During Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, Tanzania played a vital role in supporting the country’s fight for independence.

“Zimbabwe has land in Tanzania and Tanzania has land in Zimbabwe. That shows the bond we share,” said Ambassador Kaganda.

The ambassador revealed that Kiswahili is already being taught in Zimbabwe, and many Zimbabweans have attended these classes.

“If you move around, you won’t fail to meet one or two people who can say ‘habari’ or ‘jambo’. That shows the bonding and the steps forward we have taken in our cooperation.”

“We are looking forward to seeing how we can bring more development to our people through the language of Kiswahili, and also to promote exchange programs and best-practice learning with Zimbabwe.

For example, our media professionals can come here to study, and Zimbabwean media can go to Tanzania. That is part of our mission. We are also cooperating in tourism.”

“We recently had a meeting with stakeholders in the tourism industry here, and we are looking forward to building cooperation so that tour guides from Zimbabwe can visit Tanzania for training, and vice versa.”

“These are the kinds of initiatives we must encourage. We are here to foster them and to ensure that our people in both countries implement these programs for the betterment of our nations,” she added.

Ambassador Kaganda also revealed plans to expand Kiswahili programs in Zimbabwe, including training local tour guides and enhancing media exchange between the two nations.

“We believe language is a powerful tool for development. Through Kiswahili, we can bring our people closer, share knowledge, and grow together socially and economically.”

“As Africa continues to redefine its place on the global stage, Kiswahili stands as a living testament to the continent’s potential for unity, cultural pride, and shared prosperity,” she concluded.

Meanwhile, World Kiswahili Day is not just a celebration of a language—it is a celebration of African identity, solidarity, and a vision for the future.