Spotlight on Eloquence: The French School of Harare to Host Regional Final of Ambassadeurs Ambassadrices en Herbe
The French School of Harare is proud to host the Zone Finale of the “Ambassadeurs et Ambassadrices en Herbe” competition on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 — a prestigious event that brings together talented young speakers from across Southern and Eastern Africa.
Organized by the Agence pour l’Enseignement Français à l’Étranger (AEFE), the eloquence competition was launched in 2012 to promote public speaking, multilingualism, and international awareness among students from primary through high school. Since 2022, the competition has expanded to include LabelFrancÉducation-certified schools, strengthening the bond between Francophone institutions worldwide.
This year’s theme, “Francophonie – A Journey through Time and Space,” invites students to explore the evolution of the French language and culture across different eras and continents. Participants are challenged to present in French, introduce themselves in their host country’s language, and summarize in English — a true celebration of multilingual expression.
The event in Harare will gather 18 students and 8 educators from top French schools across the region, including:
- Lycée Français ABB de Luanda (Angola)
- Lycée Jules Verne de Johannesburg (South Africa)
- Lycée Français du Cap (South Africa)
- Lycée Français Blaise Pascal de Lubumbashi (DR Congo)
Each team will compete in three rounds: individual introductions, prepared speeches, and a live debate round. Students will be evaluated by a distinguished jury including:
- His Excellency Paul-Bertrand Barets, Ambassador of France to Zimbabwe
- Her Excellency Marcia Maro da Silva, Ambassador of Brazil to Zimbabwe
- His Excellency João Carmo Ataíde da Câmara, Ambassador of Portugal to Zimbabwe
- Mr. Florent Gayet & Mr. Fabien Debutte, senior AEFE officials
Representing The French School of Harare are four outstanding students who won the school-level final:
- Lulama Zamchiya
- Maria Karla Pousa Perez
- Sofia Caceres
- Sara Sangara
These young ambassadors will proudly take the stage to share their voices, ideas, and commitment to global citizenship.
Beyond the competition, students will enjoy a guided tour of Harare’s city centre, and all meals will be catered by Café de Paris, offering a delightful French culinary experience.
This unique event is more than a contest — it’s a celebration of the values that unite the Francophone world: dialogue, diversity, and education without borders.
📅 Wednesday, April 16
📍 Groupe Scolaire Jean de La Fontaine, Harare (The French School of Harare)
🎤 Parents and guests are warmly welcome to attend and support our young ambassadors!
