By Wallace Mawire
Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Kuda Mpamhanga said the government of Zimbabwe welcomes collaboration with the French Embassy and francophone partners to create more exchange opportunities, internships and joint initiatives that directly benefit young Zimbabweans.
Mpamhanga made the remarks at the official opening of the celebrations of the French language and the Francophonie Weeks in Zimbabwe which this year has been extended over and a half weeks from 7 to 22 March, 2026 at the Residence of France on 5 March,2026.
Addressing His Excellency the Ambassador of France, Paul-Bertrand Barets and other partner Ambassadors and delegates at the launch, Mpamhanga said the French language is a bridge, a bridge that links cultures, deepens understanding, and widens opportunities for the country’s young people.
‘In an increasingly interconnected world, multilingualism is not only an asset but a necessity. By supporting the learning of French alongside our national languages and other international languages, we equip Zimbabwean youth with skills that enhance employability, expand academic horizons, and open doors to regional and global cooperation,Mpamhanga said.
He said his ministry is committed to practical, skills-based education that prepares young people for meaningful participation in the economy and that language learning is part of that commitment.
He added that the country welcomes partnerships that bring teacher training, curriculum support, cultural exchange programmes and vocational pathways that incorporate language competencies.
‘Through collaboration with the French Embassy and francophone partners, we can create more exchange opportunities, internships and joint initiatives that directly benefit young Zimbabweans,’ he said.
He recognized the many teachers, cultural practitioners, students and organizations whose enthusiasm has made the week possible.
He added that events like these celebrate cultural diversity, promote mutual respect and inspire creativity.
He said they remind the country that cultural diplomacy and education walk hand in hand in building lasting relationships.
As the French Language and Francophone Week was being launched , Mpamhanga called for renewed and shared commitment to youth empowerment through education, language and skills development.
‘Let the weeks be a beginning of even stronger cooperation that opens new pathways for our youth to learn, work, and thrive,” he said.
Ambassador of France, Paul-Bertrand Barets addressing Representatives of the Government of Zimbabwe, Ambassadors Distinguished Guests, Teachers, Artists, Entrepreneurs and Friends of the French language and the Francophonie, said this year, given the richness and diversity of the programme, celebrations will extend over two and a half weeks, from 7 to 22 March.
He said coordinated by the Alliance Française de Harare, and the Embassy of France, the festivities are organised in close partnership with Belgium, Canada, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the European Union, Greece, Romania, Rwanda, Serbia and Switzerland.
He added that the Francophonie will also be celebrated in Bulawayo with the support of the Alliance Française de Bulawayo.
He thanked institutional and private partners like the Alliance Française of Harare, the French School of Harare, Campus France, SAHTC, SPEDICAM, as well as our sponsors such as AGS and Ecobank whose support he said makes the celebrations possible.
Ambassador Barets said this year’s programme once again reflects the vitality, creativity and diversity of Francophone cultures, with concerts, debates, film screenings, school activities, artistic performances and professional exchanges.
The Director of the Alliance Française de Harare said in Zimbabwe the commitment is embodied daily by the Alliances Françaises in Harare and Bulawayo, the French School of Harare and the Campus France office hosted within the Alliance Française.
She said with the support of the Embassy of France, they promote the French language, cultural dialogue and access to higher education opportunities in France.
According to Ambassador Barets, worldwide, the Francophonie represents more than 320 million French speakers across five continents, nearly 60 percent of whom live in Africa.
He said it illustrates both the central role of Africa within the Francophone world and the importance of the Francophonie for the African continent.
He added that the Francophonie also brings together more than 90 states and governments within the International Organisation of the Francophonie, under the leadership of its Secretary General, Ms Louise Mushikiwabo.
He added that it promotes political dialogue, educational cooperation, economic exchange and cultural partnerships.
The Ambassador said following the great success of the 19th Francophonie Summit held in France in 2024, notably in Villers Cotterêts, the Francophone community demonstrated once again its vitality, unity and shared ambition for the future.
He said the next Francophonie Summit will be held in Cambodia in October 2026, marking a return to Asia for the first time since 1997.
The summit is expected to highlight the cultural, economic and digital opportunities of the Francophone space, strengthen links between education and employment, support youth mobility and promote women’s rights.
He said speaking French opens doors professionally, academically and internationally and it also means belonging to a community united by shared values such as solidarity, cultural diversity, peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality and access to education.
He paid tribute to everyday ambassadors of the French language, the teachers of the Alliances Françaises, the French School and Zimbabwean schools.
‘Their dedication ensures that French continues to inspire new generations,’ Ambassador Barets said.
A performance by a Franco-Zimbabwean artistic collaboration featuring Nasibo, Mr Raphaël Joly and the talented musicians Praise Sarireni, Tinotenda Zingapeta and Archford Sunguro performed for the audience on the launch day.
