FIRST Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has described music as a powerful vehicle for communication, cultural exchange and unity, as she officiated at the French and Francophone Primary Schools Song Contest hosted by Harare International School of French.
Seventeen primary schools from Harare and beyond participated in the colourful competition, which drew members of the diplomatic community, including representatives from France and Greece.
The event celebrated linguistic diversity and reinforced the growing role of French as a global language.
“Music is a universal language that transcends borders, cultures and generations. It has the power to unite people, to tell stories and to preserve heritage. Through song, we communicate notions, values and aspirations,” Mnangagwa said.
She commended the school for promoting intercultural engagement and nurturing young people who appreciate diversity.
“By creating a platform where young people can express themselves through music in the French language, this school is nurturing citizens who contribute meaningfully to international understanding.”
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The First Lady also highlighted Zimbabwe’s commitment to cultural diplomacy and youth empowerment through initiatives such as the Nhanga/Gota traditional mentorship programme.
“Through Nhanga Gota, we enhance life skills, moral values, discipline and cultural identity — illustrating the importance of nurturing well-rounded young people,” she said.
Mnangagwa, who was accompanied by members of the diplomatic corps, noted that Zimbabwe and France continue to co-operate across sectors that include education, culture and development, with cultural exchanges playing a key role in strengthening bilateral relations.
She referenced her engagement with Brigitte Macron during UNESCO Africa Week, saying it reaffirmed shared commitments to education, cultural diversity and youth empowerment.
French ambassador to Zimbabwe, Paul-Bertrand Barets said the competition had grown into a national platform celebrating Francophonie.
“The French language is not only a vehicle of artistic expression but also a global instrument of communication and cooperation — It is today the fourth most widely spoken language in the world,” he said.
He added that more than 396 million people speak French across the five continents, underscoring its relevance in global dialogue and cultural exchange.
French International School head Laetitia Cibrario said the competition had expanded significantly since its inception.
“Less than a year ago, the ambassador shared the vision of expanding this competition into a national event — today that vision has become a reality,” she said.
The contest featured lively performances from young learners, blending humour, creativity and linguistic skill.
Among standout acts were EFH Nursery School pupils performing C’est la danse des abeilles by Les Enfantastiques and Lady Enereta Primary School’s rendition of Ninao by Gims.
The Grange Christian School were winners of the competition, followed by Hilbright Science College (Marimba) and Chivaraidze Primary School, who came third.
From the beginning, the competition seemed predictable as there were evidence of simple transfer of speech into singing, but the challenge became heightened as the 17 schools got used to the stage.
Anna Mary Ngwenya, the French teacher at Hilbright College, expressed a deep appreciation of the relevance of the competition in the learning of the French language.
Madam Duri, who teaches French at the Grange School, rendered all her tribute to their music teacher Godfrey Gatsi, who spent most of the time with children since the beginning of the year.
The competition highlighted the role of arts in education, fostering confidence, discipline and cross-cultural understanding among young learners, while strengthening Zimbabwe’s cultural and diplomatic ties with the Francophone world.