DUT Confucius Institute (CI) delegates participated in the 15th Anniversary of the Confucius Institute in South Africa held in Pretoria on 05 August 2019. Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga hailed China’s contribution to education in South Africa, and together with Chinese Ambassador Lin Songtian used the occasion to announce the designation of 17 September as ‘South African Chinese Language Day,’ which will be celebrated annually.
In 2015, Motshekga decided to include the Chinese language in South Africa’s national education system as a second additional language. “Confucius Institutes have played a key role in inter-school cooperation, and greatly enhanced mutual understanding and cooperation between the universities and young peoples of both countries,” said Minister Motshekga.
“Our two countries have jointly set up six Confucius Institutes and three Confucius classrooms in South Africa, which is the largest number of CI and CC in Africa. As of the end of 2018, more than 3000 South Africa students have studied or are studying in China,” added Ambassador Lin Songtian.
“The Confucius Institute of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) is focused on serving the employment needs of the local community, and cooperating with local Chinese enterprises to carry out skills training and vocational education,” said Ambassador Songtian.
To mark the 15th Anniversary of Chinese Language Teaching in South Africa, Mandarin learners from each local Confucius Institute and Classrooms prepared a wonderful and impressive gala event, which included performances such as singing Chinese songs, dancing Chinese folk dances, performing Martial arts, and short-sketches about Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Sanele Ntuli from DUT performed “Baduanjin” an ancient Chinese exercise which refers to eight different movements that help improve and maintain physical strength in one’s body.
All the performers were appreciated by more than 300 guests and were handed certificates of participation by the Ambassador Mr Lin Songtian and Minister of Basic Education Mrs Angie Motshekga.
Pictured: Sanele Ntuli
Sanele Ntuli/https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/sa-designates-national-chinese-language-day
