Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania's World Kiswahili Language Day Celebration
In Honour of World Kiswahili Language Day, the Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to the State of Israel, H.E. Mr. Alex Gabriel Kallua, hosted a celebratory afternoon at his official residence in Herzliya Pituach.
World Kiswahili Language Day is celebrated annually on the 7th of July and was proclaimed by Unesco in 2021. It is a historic designation, making Kiswahili the first African language to receive this kind of official recognition. The occasion commemorated the more than 200 million people who speak the language across East, Central and Southern Africa. It highlights Kiswahili's role as a powerful bridge for regional integration, cultural identity and sustainable development.
The celebration took place in the garden where there was a table displaying Tanzanian products namely Swahili books and dictionaries, cashew nuts, coffee, herbal teas and spices (ginger, black pepper and nutmeg).
A large and scrumptious buffet offering tantalizing Tanzanian dishes such as vitumbua (friend rice and sugar served with a spicy sauce), sambusa, kachori (potato), mandazi (flour and oil), mihogo (friend cassava), okra soup, makange (chicken stew), dagaa ((sardines), nyama choma (cooked beef), samaki (fried fish), ugali (corn flour), makande (corn and beans), plantain mixed with beef, wali mava (rice) and pilau (beef and rice influenced by Arab cuisine). In addition to the aforementioned, there was a well stocked bar offering wine, beer and soft drinks.
The two Master of Ceremonies i.e. the Embassy of Tanzania's Head of the Chancery, Ms. Mona Mahecha spoke in English and Ms. Rachel Levy spoke in Kiswahili. Ms. Levy has a travel company specializing in tours namely in five East African destinations.
There was a screen where a simultaneous translation was shown so that guests could easily understand and follow the Kaswahili speeches and an advert by the Tanzania Investment Centre in Dar es Salaam.
Tanzania's anthem, Mungu ibariki Afrika (G-d bless Africa) followed by Israela's Hatikva was enthusiastically sung by the many Tanzanian nationals present.
Tanzanian hip hop music accompanied by talented break dancers entertained the guests. Later in the evening, traditional Tanzanian music and dancing followed.
The Ambassador of Tanzania spoke in Kiswahili and started his speech by welcoming everyone present. Kiswahili served as an important tool during the liberation struggles of our nation and in the fight against colonialism on the African continent. Freedom fighters learned this language and used it as a tool of culture and secrecy in communicating when they returned to their countries. Tanzania is a living example of how this language can be a national language, a language of education, a language of governance and a language of unity. In international meetings, Tanzania uses Kiswahili as the official language of presentation. I welcome Israelis to do business and invest in Tanzania especially in the tourism, health, minerals, agriculture, water and innovation sectors and to visit Zanzibar, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Mt. Kilimanjaro which is known as the "Roof of Africa".
I would like to conclude by emphasizing Tanzania's commitment to continue strengthening the excellent relations with the State of Israel and to expand the scope of cooperation for the benefit of both our countries.
Representing the State of Israel, H.E. Mr. Gil Haskel, Chief of State Protocol said that Israel and Tanzania are geographically and culturally connected. Our history with Africa dates back to biblical times when King Solomon and Queen Sheba from Habash married. When I previously served as Israel's Ambassador to Ethiopia, this feeling was palpable. MASHAV (Israel's Foreign Ministry's International Development Cooperation Agency) trains many Tanzanian professionals and many Tanzanians come to Israel for medical treatment. Our relations with Tanzania date back to the 70's when Golda Meier was Prime Minister.
Mr. Yitzhak Eldan, formerly Chief of State of protocol and Israel's Ambassador to Unesco spoke and sang a Freedom song in Swahili dating back to the 70's which was sung by Freedom fighters.
Tanzania's Honorary Consul, Mr. Kasbian Nuriel Chirich was also recognized.
Tanzania's Ambassador presented the three above mentioned dignitaries with gifts which included an African bush hat and coffee.
Guests participated in a tongue twisting game and afterwards awards were given to the three winners.
Present among the many guests were the Ambassadors of Kenya, the Dominican Republic and the Baha'i World Faith, journalists, bloguers, Tanzanian nationals including Tanzanian volunteers who voluntarily work at the Bahai gardens in Haifa, tour operators, Mr. Golan Yossifon, a Communications advisor and Belarus's Honorary Consul Mr. Eitan Kariv who own a company specializing in medical tourism.
Diplomacy.co.il extends its sincere appreciation to the Ambassador of Tanzania and the Embassy staff for an extraordinary and memorable evening of cultural diplomacy.
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