UNESCO celebrated World Kiswahili Language Day on July 7th, recognizing the profound cultural significance and potential of Kiswahili. As one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with over 200 million speakers, Kiswahili holds a special place in promoting communication, unity, and cultural diversity across East, Central, and Southern Africa, as well as the Middle East.
The adoption of Kiswahili as a unifying language for independence struggles by the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) on July 7th, 1954, under the leadership of Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, First President of the United Republic of Tanzania, further solidifies the historical importance of Kiswahili.
This year’s theme, “Unleashing Kiswahili’s potential in the digital era,” highlights the language’s adaptability to modern technological advancements. Kiswahili’s presence as the only African language within the Directorate of Global Communications at the United Nations showcases its prestigious status and demonstrates its capacity to contribute to the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063.
Kiswahili, also known as Swahili, serves as a lingua franca in many countries, fostering communication and understanding among diverse communities. It holds official language status in prominent African organizations such as the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The designation of July 7th as World Kiswahili Language Day stems from the resolution adopted during the 41st session of the General Conference of UNESCO on November 23rd, 2021. This observance aims to promote the use of Kiswahili as a beacon for unity, peace, and enhanced multiculturalism. It aligns with UNESCO’s mission to foster dialogue among civilizations, promote cultural diversity, and encourage multilingualism as a core value for harmonious communication between peoples.
As the world celebrates World Kiswahili Language Day, it recognizes the invaluable contributions of Kiswahili to global linguistic diversity and cultural heritage. UNESCO continues to play a crucial role in safeguarding and promoting the preservation of languages like Kiswahili, ensuring their significance is acknowledged and celebrated worldwide.