Nihongo no Niwa at the 6th Japanese Language Education Conference for Africa

This past week marked a remarkable milestone for Nihongo no Niwa, as founder Jason Musikanth and Japanese language educator of Stellenbosch University, Ms Hiromi Spinola, had the honour of representing South Africa at the 6th Japanese Language Education Conference for Africa, held in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The conference, hosted by the Japan Foundation - the renowned non-profit organization behind the annual Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) - brought together Japanese language teachers from across the African continent for four intensive days of knowledge sharing, collaboration, and full-language immersion.

Strengthening Japanese Language Education Across Africa

Each participating country was invited to send two language teachers and one student, with each delegation contributing to a greater discussion about the current state and future of Japanese language education in Africa. Delegates engaged in a packed schedule of workshops, presentations, and activities - all conducted entirely in Japanese.

From left: Ms Ayako Seto, Mr Gasto Joseph Mapunda, Mr Jason Musikanth, Ms Shen-Ling Yao (Helen), Ms Hiromi Spinola

South Africa was proudly represented by Ms Hiromi Spinola, who delivered a comprehensive presentation on the state of Japanese education in South Africa. She shared insights into the challenges and growth areas faced by local institutions, including increasing student interest, teaching methodology, and access to language learning materials.

6th Japanese Language Education Conference for Africa Student Speech Competition Participants

Another highlight of the conference was the student speech competition held at the Japanese Embassy in Madagascar, where representatives from each country delivered speeches in Japanese followed by live Q&A sessions, also entirely in Japanese. This was no small feat, and South Africa’s own Shen-Ling Yao (Helen)  performed with remarkable confidence, grace, and linguistic skill. Her poise and fluency were widely praised, with her speech, titled “チーム(Team)”, making us all proud.

This segment of the event not only celebrated student achievements but also served as a powerful reminder of the impact that access to quality language education can have. Seeing learners confidently navigate a public platform in a foreign language after years of dedication was truly inspiring, with Mr Dawit Abraha of Ethiopia winning the competition with his speech “Shokunin Spirit & Ikigai Heart”.

Mr Jason Musikanth & Ms Shen-Ling Yao (Helen) giving a presentation about South Africa

In addition to these impressive contributions, Jason Musikanth and student delegate Shen-Ling Yao (Helen) took to the stage with a cultural presentation introducing the beauty, diversity, and spirit of South Africa. Using colourful slides and heartfelt narration, they transported the audience on a virtual journey across our landscapes, cities, and cultures.

A Global Community of Educators

Beyond the fascinating presentations and formal sessions showcasing each of the participating countries, the conference also served as a space to build bonds with fellow educators. Attendees received new teaching resources developed by the Japan Foundation and participated in workshops aimed at evolving classroom practices.

The conference was also beautifully punctuated by an evening reception attended by His Excellency Ambassador Koji ABE. This offered attendees the chance to connect more informally with one another in a beautiful setting while enjoying a wonderful showcase of Japanese-Malagasy hospitality.

To close the week, conference participants were invited on a cultural excursion to explore some of Madagascar’s unique beauty and heritage. It was the perfect conclusion to the conference, offering time to reflect on the shared experience and celebrate new friendships.

What This Means for Nihongo no Niwa

Being part of the Japanese Language Education Conference for Africa was not only an honour but also a profound learning experience for our school, for which we are deeply grateful. We return with renewed inspiration and practical tools that will directly shape the future of Japanese language instruction at Nihongo no Niwa.

From updated resources to new teaching methodologies and a broadened network of fellow educators, our school is now more equipped than ever to provide students with a richer and more globally-informed language education system.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Japan Foundation, the Japanese Embassy of Madagascar, and everyone involved in organizing such a valuable initiative, as well as to Ms Hiromi Spinola and Ms Shen-Ling Yao (Helen) for the amazing experience. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to represent South Africa and connect with others who share our passion for Japanese language and culture.

We look forward to implementing everything we’ve learned and to deepening our contribution to the flourishing Japanese language community here in South Africa.