By LEE TANT, T&D Staff WriterThursday, May 08, 2008
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When Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume’s flight touched down on the tarmac of Columbia Metropolitan Airport, weeks of anticipation for his Palmetto State visit turned to reality.

Perhaps no one anticipated this arrival more than South Carolina State University interim President Dr. Leonard McIntyre.

“I’m so grateful he has agreed to come. I think by all estimates it’s a first for the university. It’s safe to say we are making history,” said McIntyre.

After the crowd of 50 people weathered several flight delays that prolonged Karume’s arrival, the anticipation was palpable when finally the trumpets of the S.C. State Marching 101 signaled the moment was at hand.

Karume briefly addressed the audience, expressing gratitude for his country’s relationship with S.C. State.

“I’m looking forward to strengthening the relationship between South Carolina, S.C. State and Zanzibar,” said Karume. It was not Karume’s first visit to the U.S., but it was his first time in the state.

He thanked the university for extending the invitation for him to visit S.C. State from the African island of Zanzibar.

Two S.C. State students from Zanzibar, Daudi Muhamed and Sakina Alawy, presented Karume with flowers.

The S.C. State National Alumni Association also presented Karume with a state seal.

McIntyre and S.C. State Trustee Board member Lumus Byrd both gave brief introductions.

“The excitement and enthusiasm is extremely high,” said McIntyre.

Karume’s arrival kicks off a myriad of events for him in the state, which will culminate with his keynote speech at S.C. State’s commencement exercises Friday night at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

This afternoon S.C. State will host a welcoming reception for Karume and his delegation. Leading up to the commencement, Karume will have the opportunity to meet Orangeburg Mayor Paul Miller and other community leaders during a luncheon. Karume also will visit Charleston before leaving South Carolina on Saturday.

Since become Zanzibar’s president in 2000, Karume has engaged himself in the economic and social development of the nation, specifically in education, health and poverty reduction. Under his leadership, Zanzibar has launched an economic growth and poverty reduction strategy with emphasis on education development.

Part of that education development owes a large assist to S.C. State. In January, S.C. State officials visited Zanzibar to present its government with biology textbooks and learning materials for high school students.

S.C. State gathered a team to write the textbooks after being awarded a grant from President Bush’s African Education Initiative, which aims to expand the academic opportunities of African students. The university will also produce textbooks in the areas of math, chemistry and physics for Zanzibar’s schools.

S.C. State’s commencement exercises will begin at 7 p.m. at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

Welcome, President Karume
Friday, May 09, 2008
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ISSUE: S.C. State’s commencement speaker

OUR VIEW: Zanzibar president’s visit illustrates education emphasis

These are big days for South Carolina State University.

Amid the rush of end-of-year activities, the university family awaits a decision by the board of trustees on a new president. On Tuesday, the board’s search committee narrowed the field to three finalists. A new president is to be on board by July 1.

On this day, however, eyes are on another president with a special link to South Carolina State; a head of state, President Amani Karume of the African nation of Zanzibar. The country is located off the southeastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. Its population is 800,000.

Karume is tonight’s speaker at S.C. State’s commencement, which will feature the university’s largest-ever graduating class of more than 460.

His visit to the United States and S.C. State is the result of a special relationship forged by S.C. State with Karume’s country.

Earlier this year, S.C. State Interim President Dr. Leonard McIntyre and other university officials traveled to Zanzibar to present the government with biology textbooks.

S.C. State wrote the textbooks after receiving a grant from President Bush’s African Education Initiative. During a handing-over ceremony, McIntyre presented the textbooks to President Karume.

For the first time in history, each Zanzibar student can now have his or her own textbook.

The university plans to produce more textbooks for Zanzibar in the subject areas of chemistry, physics and math.

In total, S.C. State and its partners will provide more than 1 million textbooks and learning materials for Zanzibar students.

The ceremony in Zanzibar was the culmination of several years of hard work for the SCSU writing team, which was originally awarded the grant in October 2005. The grant expires this September.

In total, the university received $5 million to write and publish the textbooks.

SCSU Program Director Lamin Drammeh described the collaboration with Zanzibar as a great experience. He was in awe that such high-level Zanzibar officials found the time to be intimately involved in the project.

“They never disappointed us,” Drammeh said.

Karume won’t disappoint others at the university, either. His presence during such a special occasion as commencement will be a life-long memory for graduates and families. Look for him to stress the importance of education.

Since assuming the presidency, Karume has engaged himself in the economic and social development of Zanzibar, particularly in education, health and poverty reduction. Under his leadership, Zanzibar has launched an economic growth and poverty reduction strategy with emphasis on education development.

Under his administration, Zanzibar has adopted a universal primary education policy. Through his vision, Zanzibar’s economy and infrastructure development has surpassed many counties in sub-Saharan Africa.

Welcome, President Karume!