Colombia’s Government announced that Swahili teachers from Kenya would be part of a cultural program between the two countries.
The announcement was made by Colombia’s Vice President Francia Marquez after holding a meeting with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Marquez toured Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa on Friday, May 26.
The VP explained that the programme involved teachers from Columbia traveling to Kenya to teach Spanish while those in Kenya would head to the South American country to teach Swahili.
The exchange program is part of Marquez’s plan to have Afro-Colombians form a connection with their ancestral land.
"It will be offered to Colombians of African origin and anyone who would like to learn the language.
“This is important for reconnecting with roots and rebuilding historical memory,” Marquez stated.
According to an accord signed between the two countries, Swahili will be taught as a foreign option and while Afro-Colombians are encouraged to sign up for the classes, it is not mandatory.
The deal, which offers job opportunities to Kenyans, was however met with strong opposition by a section of Colombia politicians and leaders.
Marquez was accused of using the move to highlight social inequalities that exist in the country whose 9 per cent of its population is black.
The VP was also questioned on the formula she used to settle on Swahili instead of English which was seen as a better investment for the Latin American country.
The Vice President visited the country between Sunday, May 14 and Wednesday, May 17.
During the visit, Marquez had a high-level meeting with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua where the two leaders agreed on several areas of cooperation.
In particular, Gachagua revealed that Colombia would help Kenya grow its agricultural sector, especially the coffee industry.
“Currently, the Kenya government is collaborating with the Colombian government in various sectors including agriculture, environment conservation, science and technology, culture and education.
“The Kenyan government seeks to cultivate cooperation in these sectors, with a specific focus on the coffee subsector,” Gachagua announced then.
