AMBASSADORS’ VISIT THE NATIONAL KISWAHILI COUNCIL (BAKITA)

AMBASSADORS’ VISIT THE NATIONAL KISWAHILI COUNCIL (BAKITA)

Some of the Ambassadors who were recently appointed by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, have visited the National Kiswahili Council (BAKITA). The aim of the visit was to familiarize with the National Strategy for Commercialization of Kiswahili Language locally and internationally.

Speaking to the Ambassadors, the Executive Secretary of the National Kiswahili Council, Ms Consolata Mushi, has said that the objective of the ten-year strategy (2022 – 2032) is to make Kiswahili the language of wider communication in Africa so that it can be used to bring about political, social and economic development in Tanzania and beyond.

“As you go to your respective countries, we request you to kindly continue the efforts made by the Government to commercialize Kiswahili by establishing centers for teaching Kiswahili abroad. You are key stakeholders in promoting Kiswahili language internationally, especially given that Kiswahili has continued to win more users in the world”, said Ms. Consolata.

On his part, the leader of the entourage Hon. Ambassador Khamis Omar, said that Kiswahili is among the national values of Tanzania and the Government has strongly insisted Tanzanian embassies abroad to make special efforts to promote Kiswahili language and make it a productive national commodity.

We commend the efforts made by various institutions and organizations for changing the law on the use of language, which was giving room to authorities to choose to use either Kiswahili or a foreign language in providing information about their products and activities. Instead the law directs the use of both Kiswahili and a foreign language”, said Ambassador Omar.

In addition, he has promised that the embassies will continue to establish and strengthen centers for teaching Kiswahili to foreigners in order to continue commercializing it abroad.

The ambassadors who visited BAKITA are; Hon. Ambassador Khamis Omar, Hon. Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Abdalla, Hon. Ambassador Habibu Mohamed, Hon. Ambassador Hassani Mwamwetu, Hon. Ambassador Gelasius Byakanwa, Hon. Ambassador Major General Ramson Mwaisaka, Hon. Ambassador Dr. Bernard Kibesse and Hon. Ambassador Major General Paul Simuli.

The ambassadors are expected to go to their assigned countries soon.