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Some citizens seeking services from the government and private sectors are frustrated by not being treated the same as foreigners
Uwajeneza Donatha
Jul 31, 2024 - 15:59
Rwandans who provide services in the public and private sectors say that they are also threatened by not being arrested as well as foreigners. They say that this is due to the Kinyarwanda language they would be applying for, and it is difficult for foreign languages to fill out the forms. The board of language says that it is a remnant of the colonial era, but every Rwandan should make it a priority.
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As Rwanda continues to develop, the service sector is also advancing and attracting a diverse clientele, including foreigners. However, when you visit places where services are provided, the paperwork is often in foreign languages.
Kinyarwanda speakers request that all languages be included on the forms and that those who speak Kinyarwanda not be disrespected. This lack of inclusivity not only affects individuals but also causes losses for the country and service providers.
One person said, "You go to a bank and find the contract is in English, and you might be a citizen who doesn’t understand it, and they don’t even bother to explain it to you. Additionally, those providing services often treat you as inferior if you speak Kinyarwanda. This needs to change in service delivery."
"You often find that information on water, food, and other things is not in Kinyarwanda. Sometimes, someone might buy something without reading the information and end up taking home something they didn’t want, only realizing it when they get home. There are also instances where someone disrespects you because you speak Kinyarwanda. I leave immediately and look for someone else to provide the service. If two or three customers leave because of this, the service provider also loses out."
Some parents even punish their children for speaking Kinyarwanda, seeing it as disrespectful, but this affects their ability to communicate with Kinyarwanda speakers, including those from whom they could learn valuable knowledge.
One said, "If a child visits the family, such as grandparents or other relatives, they might struggle to communicate. The grandmother might say something, and the child has to ask their father what it means. This lack of communication between the young and the old means that if the elder, who has historical knowledge and speaks proper Kinyarwanda, cannot communicate with the young, there is no future because they will have no way to learn."
A 2023 study on official language differences in government shows that more than 42% of public and private sector service providers do not understand the message on paper. While 73% are identified as mixing languages.
Written by: Donatha UWAJENEZA; Author: RUKUNDO Emmanuel
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