Nations celebrate World Kiswahili Language Day
TANZANIA: TANZANIA joins other nations around the globe to mark the World Kiswahili Language Day recognising its growing importance as a global language spoken by over 200 million people.
Over the decades, Kiswahili has grown into a pan-African language, fostering unity, identity and dialogue across linguistic and cultural borders.
Series of activities are lined up to mark the celebrated language, which was recognised by UNESCO, designating July 7th as World Kiswahili Language Day.
This recognition was formalised by UNESCO in 2021, acknowledging Kiswahili’s global significance and its role in promoting cultural diversity, education and international understanding.
The first World Kiswahili Language Day was celebrated in 2022. On the occasion of World Kiswahili Language Day at UNESCO, the Permanent Delegations of East African member states in collaboration with the UNESCO Secretariat have organised a panel discussion to celebrate Kiswahili as a unifying language and an instrument of cultural diplomacy.
Recognised as an official language of the African Union and widely spoken across the continent, Kiswahili is a powerful tool for promoting regional integration, cultural understanding and inclusive development, especially in education and intercultural exchange.
In Kigali, Rwanda, the 4th East African Community (EAC) World Kiswahili Language Day opened yesterday and will climax today.
The two-day event convened under the theme; Kiswahili, Inclusive Education and Sustainable Development aims to celebrate and promote the Kiswahili language as a vital tool for regional unity, cultural exchange and development within the East African Community.
The objective of the 4th EAC World Kiswahili Language Day is to provide a platform for partner states, development partners and other Kiswahili stakeholders to interrogate the relationship between Kiswahili, inclusive education and sustainable development.
The celebrations, organised by the East African Community (EAC) together with the government of Rwanda brings together government representatives from the EAC partner states; academia; media personnel; authors, publishers and distributors of Kiswahili materials; civil society, private sector; youth groups and representatives of EAC Organs and Institutions.
Speaking ahead of the celebrations of the EAC World Kiswahili Language Day celebrations, the EAC Secretary General Ms Veronica Nduva expressed enthusiasm about the significance of Kiswahili in strengthening regional ties.
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“Kiswahili is not just a language but a bridge that unites our diverse communities across the East African region. Its promotion aligns with our broader goals of fostering unity, economic integration and shared cultural identity among Partner States,” said the Secretary General.
“We are delighted to host the 4th EAC World Kiswahili Language Day in Kigali and look forward to vibrant celebrations that highlight the beauty and importance of Kiswahili,” she added.
The Secretary General further emphasised the EAC’s commitment to promoting Kiswahili as an official language of the region, urging partner states to continue investing in its dissemination and teaching at all levels of education.
The celebrations of 4th EAC Kiswahili Language Day features panel discussions, youth mentorship and engagements with other stakeholders, media engagement, cultural performances, exhibitions and awareness creation activities all aimed at exhibiting Kiswahili as a for inclusive education and sustainable development for the region.
Zanzibar has also been hosting a vibrant week-long series of cultural, academic and community events that will culminate in the official ceremony today.
According to Zanzibar Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Ms Fatma Hamad Rajab, students and Kiswahili enthusiasts will today participate in a march beginning at 6:00 am from Tumekuja Secondary School to the Ziwani Police Hall, where a session will be held on “The Importance of Reading Books.”
The event will also feature an awards ceremony for winners of the 2025 national Kiswahili essay competition and for the best performing Kiswahili students of 2024, where Zanzibar’s Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Lela Mohammed Mussa, is expected to officiate.
Another key presentation will focus on “Young Women and Tomorrow’s Leadership: Investing in the Next Generation.”
