A rare and tense moment unfolded on the floor of Tanzania’s Parliament this week, drawing sharp attention from lawmakers, observers and the public alike.
What began as a routine procedural exercise quickly turned into an uncomfortable public spectacle, exposing unexpected challenges faced by several legislators and sparking debate about representation, qualifications and preparedness on the international stage.
The unusual session was convened as part of a vetting process for Members of Parliament seeking to represent Tanzania at an international delegates’ forum.
In a move that surprised many, lawmakers were subjected to a live English proficiency test conducted openly in Parliament.
The assessment was intended to determine whether aspiring delegates could effectively participate in proceedings that are largely conducted in English.
The test required MPs to read passages, respond to questions, and demonstrate basic conversational competence. As the exercise progressed, it became evident that a significant number of legislators were struggling.
Hesitations, grammatical errors, and incomplete responses prompted murmurs across the chamber and visible discomfort among some of those being assessed.
Among those who did not meet the required threshold was Ukonga MP Bakari Shingo, who was seeking nomination as a delegate to the Pan-African Parliament.
Mr. Shingo’s performance, like that of several others, fell short of the standard set by the selection panel, effectively ending his bid for the coveted regional role.
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The Pan-African Parliament, an organ of the African Union, conducts most of its official business in English, French, Arabic, and Portuguese.
Proficiency in at least one of these working languages is considered essential for meaningful participation in debates, committee work, and diplomatic engagements.
Parliamentary officials defended the test, arguing that language competence is a practical necessity rather than an academic formality.
However, the public nature of the assessment has ignited controversy. Critics argue that conducting the test live in Parliament was humiliating and undermined the dignity of elected representatives.
Some MPs questioned why language training was not offered earlier, instead of exposing lawmakers to potential embarrassment.
Supporters of the move, on the other hand, praised it as a bold step toward accountability and effectiveness. They argued that international representation requires concrete skills and that voters deserve delegates who can confidently articulate national interests on continental platforms.
The incident has since triggered wider discussions on parliamentary capacity building, the role of language in diplomacy, and whether similar assessments should be standardised in future.
As Tanzania prepares to nominate its representatives, the episode has left a lasting impression both inside Parliament and beyond its walls.
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