On 26th November 2023, H.E. Ambassador Baraka Luvanda presided over the 33rd Swahili Speech Contest for the Founder’s Cup of Soka University, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, as the Chief Judge. The competition was organized by the Pan African Friendship Society of Soka University, and was attended by other Swahili language experts, including Mr. Mbozi Katala, a Tanzanian working with NHK-Swahili World, and officials from the EAC Partner States where Swahili is widely spoken.
During the competition, four participants delivered speeches in Kiswahili language that focused on the competition's motto, "Lighting My Future Now, A Step of Change Begins Here" with the main purpose of encouraging participants and other Swahili speakers in Japan to decide to make change and realize the ideal world. Following the presentations, three winners were selected and awarded various prizes from the competition's organizers and the Embassies of East African countries where Kiswahili is spoken.
In his opening speech, inline with the motto of the competition, Ambassador Luvanda highlighted how Tanzanian culture has employed Kiswahili as an example and as an essential element in the country’s development and in maintaining the peace and unity since its independence. He encouraged the Japanese community to promote the Kiswahili language, in order to gain more recognition in Japan.
Furthermore, Ambassador Luvanda motivated participants by explaining that Kiswahili has been honored with its own special day, celebrated worldwide on July 7 of every year, following UNESCO's declaration in November 2021. He further invited them to participate in the 3rd Commemoration of the World Kiswahili Day on July 7, 2024.
Overall, the 33rd Swahili Speech Contest was a success, and it provided an ideal platform for participants to showcase their proficiency in Kiswahili language and learn from one another.
