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Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training Deputy Minister Kudakwashe Mupamhanga has called for the opening up of youth opportunities through cultural cooperation programmes and festivals ahead of the hosting the inaugural two weeks edition of the Francophone Week beginning tomorrow.
He said Government supports the learning of French alongside Zimbabwe’s national languages and other international languages to equip Zimbabwean youth with skills that enhance employability, expand academic horizons, and open doors to regional and global cooperation.
The Francophone Week is a global celebration of the French language and the many cultures that express themselves through it.
“The French language is a bridge that links cultures, deepens understanding, and widens opportunities for our young people. In an increasingly interconnected world, multilingualism is not only an asset but a necessity,” Deputy Minister Mupamhanga said.
He said that lasting relationships could be built by use of cultural diplomacy and education to celebrate cultural diversity, promote mutual respect, and inspire creativity.
“We committed to practical, skills-based education that prepares young people for meaningful participation in the economy. Language learning is part of that commitment,” he added.
Zimbabwe, through collaboration with the French Embassy and francophone partners, is working to create more exchange opportunities, internships, and joint initiatives that benefit young Zimbabweans.
French Ambassador Mr Paul-Bertrand Barets said the transition of the Francophone Week to two weeks was necessitated by “exceptional programming” and the event, to be held concurrently in Harare and Bulawayo, is expected to attract more than 2500 people.
“This is an opportunity for all of us to enhance French-Zimbabwe collaboration. French is alive in Zimbabwe and there are currently 320 million French speakers in the world and 60 percent are in Africa’s 19 countries,” Mr Barets said.
The event is organised by the Alliance Française in partnership with ten embassies accredited in Zimbabwe, among them, Switzerland, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Greece, Serbia, Romania, France, Belgium, Canada and France.
Is there anything like Shonaphone or Ndebelephone that is celebrated in France? It’s time Africans develop a sense of self respect and desist from identifying with past oppressive systems in the name of development. Why do we still think it is smart to align with such ridiculous trends? It’s one thing for individuals to learn foreign cultures, be they European or Kikuyu,Igbo or Zulu but it is another to celebrate them. Have Africans been brainwashed to this extent?