CHAN 2024 opportunity to elevate Kiswahili –Govt

DODOMA: ACTING Director of Information Services (MAELEZO), Rodney Thadeus, has said that the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) presents a valuable opportunity for Tanzania to promote the Kiswahili language to visiting teams, officials and fans.

Speaking over the weekend in Dodoma, Thadeus highlighted the cultural and linguistic potential that lies in hosting part of the tournament, which is scheduled to take place next month from 2nd to 30th across Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

“This is another opportunity for our country and for our language, which continues to spread rapidly,” he said.

“When Kiswahili is used during such a major tournament, visiting nations will leave having learnt new words— sometimes even just two or three—and they will remember that they picked them up in Tanzania.”

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He stressed that language is not only used on the pitch, but also plays a key role in hospitality and everyday interactions with locals.

“Guests arriving for the tournament will engage with ordinary Tanzanians in various settings— from hotels and shops to music venues—and all of this will contribute to the growth and visibility of Kiswahili,” Thadeus explained.

With the tournament expected to draw thousands of visitors from across the continent, the official noted that it is a prime chance to showcase Tanzania’s culture and language to a wider audience.

“The use of Kiswahili in CHAN 2024 isn’t just symbolic; it has real impact. It opens up economic and social interactions where our language becomes a bridge,” he added.