There is reason to celebrate! The FIT family is expanding with the birth of a fourth Regional Centre, this time in and for Africa.
The online event took place on Saturday, 29 July 2023. Witnesses included FIT President Alison Rodriguez, three vice presidents, and a number of Council members. What made this day even more special was the attendance of several Honorary Advisors, namely Liese Katschinka, Frans de Laet, Andrew Evans, Reina Bettendorf, and Henry Liu. Additionally, the chairs of FIT Latin America, FIT North America, and FIT Europe were also there to show their support during the inaugural meeting, as were several presidents and other office holders from FIT member associations in Africa.
Alison Rodriguez welcomed FIT Africa into the FIT fold and remarked that the inception of this Regional Centre has been long awaited. Honorary Advisor Liese Katschinka shared a brief history of the roles particular individuals from Africa have played in FIT over the years.
Each of the five Board nominees for FIT Africa was given an opportunity to address attendees about their vision for the Regional Centre. As there are five Board positions and five nominations were received, the election was uncontested. The new Board members formally assumed their roles during a closed session presided over by FIT VP Annette Schiller. They are:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Chair | Vice Chair | Vice Chair | Secretary General | Treasurer |
| Vincent Magugu | Manuel Cabinda | Eleanor Cornelius | Daouda Gassama | Léontine Nlomgoi |
| East Africa Interpreters and Translators Association (EAITA) Kenya |
Association of Translators and Interpreters of Mozambique (ATIM) Mozambique |
South African Translators’ Institute (SATI) South Africa |
Association sénégalaise des traducteurs (ASTRA) Senegal |
Association des professionnels de la traduction et de l’interprétation du Cameroun (APTIC) Cameroon |
The Board has hit the road running, with at least two online meetings already held at the time of publication. Strategic short-, medium- and long-term planning is in the cards for this first Board – a team of individuals who are committed to increasing the visibility of FIT in Africa and ensuring more associations are formed. This will strengthen the profession and provide protection and promotion of the rights of translators, interpreters, and terminologists on this continent. Stronger networks and coordinated actions are what the Board of FIT Africa will be working towards in the near future. The two vice chairs have already engaged with the media in Southern Africa to raise awareness, and the Board will continue to do so in other parts of Africa in future.
FIT Africa’s official launch date is 30 September, coinciding with the joint SATI–ATIM conference in Stellenbosch, South Africa, a meeting of FIT’s Executive Committee, and International Translation Day. This momentous occasion will be feature next issue of Translatio.
Viva Africa Viva!
Eleanor Cornelius, FIT Council