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Uganda finally adopts Kiswahili as official language

July 13, 2022July 13, 2022 admin2Africa, Headline News, Swahili0 comment

By HELLEN GITHAIGA More by this Author Uganda Cabinet has approved the adoption of Kiswahili as an official language and directed that it be made a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools. The government set up the Uganda National Kiswahili Council in 2019 to guide the introduction of Kiswahili as the second national (official) language. The Cabinet decision, Uganda says, is in line with the directive of the 21st East African Community (EAC) Summit held in February 2021 that directed the expedition of the implementation of Kiswahili, English and French as official…

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Useful Swahili words and phrases to learn as the language spread across Africa

May 9, 2022 admin2Africa, Headline News, Swahili0 comment

Are you planning on learning Swahili? Then you’ll need to learn some basic Swahili phrases. But don’t panic – you likely already know at least one phrase in Swahili. “Hakuna matata” or “no worries” is the Swahili saying made famous by The Lion King. It’s the perfect introduction to the Swahili language, but there are a few more words to learn to give you a headstart that are so much more rewarding. Don’t worry if you’re not perfect – even just a few well-meaning attempts at speaking the Swahili language…

Public Policy

Swahili is home to more than 100 million people today, small hope for Africa’s future

February 17, 2021February 17, 2021 admin2Africa, language, Swahili0 comment

There are over a hundred languages spoken in Tanzania, but Swahili is spoken by 90% of the nation and is what unites the country’s 130 ethnic groups. Swahili, which is known colloquially as “Kiswahili”, is now used as the language of administration, and it is also widely used in schools and business. The growing popularity of the language outside Tanzania in the last two decades has largely been catapulted by music, which is breaking down cultural barriers across the region. In 2017, Tanzania became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa…

“We are going to introduce a curriculum and teaching material and we will definitely take advantage of the relationship that we have with other partner states who already use the language,” the minister said, according to CTGN Africa. Minister Uwacu elaborated that the Presidential order will give the details on when the language will be incorporated in school curriculum. Meanwhile South Africa is also introducing Swahili into its schools, also.

Public Policy

Botswana is introducing Swahili language into its schools

September 24, 2020September 24, 2020 admin2Botswana, News, Swahili0 comment

Staff Report Botswana aims to introduce Swahili language in the southern African country’s local schools, a senior official said Tuesday. At a language teaching workshop in Francistown, Botswana’s second-largest city, Fidelis Molao, Botswana’s Minister of Basic Education, said that the Swahili language will be introduced in schools in the future. Swahili is a Bantu language widely spoken in the Great Lakes region and other parts of eastern and south-eastern Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and parts of Malawi. If introduced, Swahili will be…

In a continent with more than 2,000 distinct languages, the role and importance of indigenous African languages in post-colonial modern societies has also proved to be a contentious issue. Over the last few decades, the place of African languages has suffered negative consequences due to colonization, globalization, and the entrenchment of official languages like English and French. African languages have often been labeled as a hindrance to learning, and have suffered delegitimization at social, economic, and political spheres.

Public Policy

South African schools will teach Kiswahili to students from 2020

November 20, 2019 admin2Africa, language, Swahili0 comment

Africa’s most “internationally recognized language” will soon be taught in South African classrooms. Starting in 2020, schools will teach Kiswahili as an optional language, making it the first African language outside South Africa to be offered in class. Education minister Angie Motshekga said the move was meant to promote unity and “social cohesion with fellow Africans.” Anti-immigrant sentiments have brewed in South Africa in the past decade, leading to sporadic attacks on the homes and businesses of communities including Malawians, Somalis, and Nigerians. The push to embrace the Swahili language…