Mzuzu University (Mzuni) on Saturday underlined its fluency in the French language when it dominated the third edition of the French storytelling competition held at Domasi College of Education.

The university from the ‘Green City’ beat hosts Domasi College of Education and University of Malawi, formerly Chancellor College.

Mzuni’s travelling long distance from the Northern Region passing through the Central region to the Southern region seemed not at all a disadvantage for the university as it went on to claim top and third positions through Jones Sitima and Angella Ngolombe, winning the hearts of a three judging panel of Levi Zeleza Manda, Louis Zulu and Martha Tchauya.

And, as, this was not enough, Mzuni also received kudos from Jacaranda Cultural Centre (JCC) and Maison de la France Director Luc Deschamps for their performance, which saw them rapping in French.

Domasi College of Education, as hosts, made sure they got something when they claimed the second position through Bethel Njaya.

The contest, running under the theme La Crise Sanitaire which means The Health Crisis, saw the nine finalists from the three institutions of higher learning focusing much of their attention on Covid, which has affected a lot of sectors and claimed lots of lives.

Education is one of the sectors that got affected by Covid, with schools and colleges being closed for some time.

Mzuni showed they were prepared for the competition and, apart from impressing the judges and audience in language skills and interaction, they also scored highly in costume.

Being a French storytelling competition, everything during the event run in French and, for once, it was like Paris or Lille, France, in Domasi.

As the winner, Sitima, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Education Degree majoring in French, said he was not surprised with his success.

“I had belief that I would do well especially looking at the preparations I had. I am excited,” he said.

Sitima described French as vital, saying it is a major language of international communication and that speaking it gives one many opportunities.

He received K100,000 cash, trophy, medal and a dictionary whereas Njaya received K75,000, a trophy, medal and dictionary.

Ngolombe received K50,000, trophy, medal and dictionary whereas all the other finalists received consolation prizes of K20,000 each.

Deschamps hailed the students from the three institutions for showing the beauty of French through storytelling.

“It’s not easy to tell a story in French fluently without looking at a paper. This just shows growth and I am impressed. These are future French teachers and I should also commend their lecturers for a job well done,” he said.

He called on young people and women to embrace the French language, saying there are more opportunities.

Musician Mathew Bondo spiced the contest with classical French songs.

SOURCE: THE TIMES GROUPS