South Africa's opposition leader Julius Malema says Kiswahili language will eventually decolonise Africans if at all it's introduced to all countries around the continent.

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In 2020, Kiswahili language will be taught in South African schools as an optional subject. 

According to Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, introducing Kiswahili to the education system will go a long way in bringing Africans together.

“Kiswahili is one of the most spoken language in Africa after Arabic and English; and could expand to countries that have never spoken it before and as a result draw Africans closer together,” said Ms Motshekga.

And according to Malema, a former ANC youth leader, the language which is popular in East Africa, will eventually unite Africans.

He said that the idea should be embraced in all African nations to foster unity.

"This move is welcome. Eventually, this is the only language that can unite Africans," he said.

While Kenya and Tanzania have made Kiswahili an official language, it's also spoken in Uganda, DRC, Rwanda and Burundi.

Colonial languages such as English, Portuguese, French and German are used as official languages by most African nations.