The 17th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students and the “China Construction Bank” Cup Final Competition in South Africa was successfully held at the Rhodes University in Port Elizabeth on 26 May 2018.
The Chinese Bridge Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students has been held for more than 10 years since 2002. This competition is a platform for Chinese learners of all ages to exchange and showcase their achievements in leaning mandarin. The theme of this year’s competition is One World One Family.
The event was hosted by the Confucius Institute Headquarters/Hanban and co-hosted by the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Confucius Institute which saw 21 candidates from five universities in South Africa participate in the much anticipated event.
In attendance at the competition were delegates such as the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Rhodes University Dr Peter Clayton, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa Mr Zheng Wen, First Secretary (Education) Chinese Embassy in South Africa Mr Wang Daoyu, General Manager of China Construction Bank Johannesburg Branch Zhang Jingguo and the Educational Director of Nelson Mandela Municipality Ernest Gorgonzola.
Five DUT students, Eli Brophy-Tintinge, Mzomuhle Enn Ntshangase, Nobukhosi Sithole, Ado Kalenga and Nonjabuliso Wendy Kunene, took part in the prestigious competition with Kunene scooping third prize. She now has the opportunity to attend the finals taking place in China. The other four students from DUT CI also rendered wonderful performances and won the excellence award respectively.
The competition was composed of three sections: a keynote speech, Chinese knowledge quiz and the talent show. The contestants impressed the judges and the audience with their fluent Chinese and authentic expressions.
The talent segment of the show showcased DUT CI contestants singing Chinese songs, performing Chinese martial arts and performing Chinese dances. The most outstanding performance was Kunene’s tongue twister with an extremely fast-paced allegro, which helped her clinch third prize.
DUT CI has been instrumental in sending outstanding students to participate in the event to encourage young South Africans to be interested in learning the Chinese language and culture and to also promote cultural exchanges and steady relations of China and South Africa.
Pictured: DUT’s CI contestants and attendees at the event.
Frank Lin Wu/Waheeda Peters
