Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ambassador Relay Lecture Series Concluded
January 22, 2026
This lecture is a specialized language course (English) for first-year students in the African Studies Major of the School of International and Area Studies. With the support of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) embassies in Japan, this course has been offered since the establishment of the African Studies Major in 2012 to promote exchange between Japan and Southern African countries. It is a highly unique and exceptional course where ambassadors and diplomats from the 12 Southern African countries deliver lectures on their nations' history, politics, economy, and various other themes.
＜Lectures from the Second Session Onwards This Academic Year＞
Session 2: October 8 – Republic of Zambia, Ms. Faith Chilube, First Secretary
Session 3: October 22 – United Republic of Tanzania, Mr. Greyson Ishengoma, Counselor
Session 4: October 29 – Republic of South Africa, Ms. Annelize Schroeder, Minister Plenipotentiary
Session 5: November 5 – Republic of Namibia, Ms. Cynthia Philomon, Second Secretary
Session 6: November 12 – Republic of Mozambique, Mr. Jose Antonio Justino Nhalungo, Charge d'Affaires a.i.
Session 7: November 26 – Republic of Malawi, Mr. Gracious Soko, First Secretary
Session 8: December 3 – Republic of Zimbabwe, Mr. Eniel Senderayi, Counselor
Session 9: December 10 – Kingdom of Lesotho, Ms. Nofikile Eunice Mofana, First Secretary
Session 10: December 11 – Republic of the Congo, Mr. Espe-Martin Kapongo Kapongo, Minister-Counsellor
Session 11: January 7 – Republic of Botswana, Mr. Daniel Kgasa, Charge d'Affaires
Session 12: January 14 – Republic of Angola, Mr. Cabral Laureano Neto, Counselor, Charge d'Affaires
The lecturers prepared original teaching materials, carefully crafted their lecture content, and conducted the classes in easy-to-understand English. The themes covered were diverse, including nature and geography, history, political movements from independence from colonial powers to the present, economic and industrial trends, and cooperative relationships with Japan. Based on their prior study of individual countries, the students asked various questions and enjoyed lively exchanges with the diplomats. Each uniquely engaging session provided students with an unparalleled opportunity to engage with Africa. As globalization advances, both Japan and Africa are undergoing significant transformations. We aim to further develop this course as a space for coexistence and learning between Africa and Japan, valuing a flat relationship where we share diverse challenges on the same level.
*Scheduled to be offered in the Spring Quarter next academic year.
