Jambo: Tanzanian High Commissioner Interacts with UNIMA Students Taking Kiswahili Lessons

Excitement filled University of Malawi (UNIMA) when students taking Kiswahili language lessons welcomed the High Commissioner of the Republic of Tanzania to Malawi, Mrs. Agnes Richard Kayola, when she visited the campus on 22nd October, 2025.

The High Commissioner visited UNIMA to appreciate the university’s new Kiswahili language programme and to highlight the growing importance of the language. She noted that one of the embassy’s key responsibilities is promoting Kiswahili, which serves as one of the working languages of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and is among the most widely spoken languages across the African continent.

During her visit, Mrs. Kayola engaged in an interactive session with the students, who showcased their knowledge of the language and shared their motivations for learning it. She emphasized the strong ties between Malawi and Tanzania, observing that proficiency in Kiswahili would enhance trade and strengthen cultural and social relations between the two neighbouring countries.

The High Commissioner also toured the university and paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Samson Sajidu.

In his remarks, Professor Sajidu welcomed the High Commissioner and commended the initiative, stating:

“At the University of Malawi, we are delighted to be part of this growing partnership through the introduction of Kiswahili lessons. This initiative is more than a linguistic programme; it is a bridge that connects our peoples, cultures, and economies.”

He further highlighted that Kiswahili, as a unifying language of both the African Union and SADC, provides students with new opportunities in scholarship, diplomacy, and cross-border collaboration.

The pioneering class of 20 students is being taught by Dr. Maria Kaningi, a lecturer from Mzumbe University in Tanzania.

The Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Emmanuel Ngwira, encouraged the students to remain committed to their studies, stressing that learning a new language opens a world of opportunities.