Durban University of Technology (DUT) has once again solidified its position as a leader in international engagements. Students from the DUT Confucius Institute (CI) achieved a historic milestone by clinching both the first and second prizes at the 25th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students, South African Regional Final, held at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) on 14 May 2026.

The competition’s theme, “One World, One Family,” was brought to life through the personal journeys of the DUT participants:

• Sixolise Tshobonga (李静和, Li Jinghe) – First Prize (Overall Winner):Sixolise captivated the judges with her speech, 《舞蹈连结的汉语梦》 (Dancing Towards a Chinese Dream). She recounted how a performance by students from the Beijing Dance Academy during a Mid-Autumn festival event sparked her passion for Mandarin. This connection blossomed into a cross-border friendship and a deep commitment to language learning. As the grand prize winner, she will represent South Africa in the upcoming global finals in China.
• Aphile Ngcobo (孔荣生, Kong Rongsheng) – Second Prize:Aphile shared an inspiring narrative centered on social impact and sustainable development. Having traveled to Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University to study “Juncao Technology”, he has since begun cultivating mushrooms by Juncao locally. His goal is to use this Chinese innovation to alleviate poverty and empower communities in South Africa. This year’s competition was particularly significant, marking the 25th anniversary of the “Chinese Bridge” Competition and a decade since Mandarin was integrated into South Africa’s national curriculum. The event saw a record-breaking turnout, with over 50 applicants nationwide, eventually narrowed down to 22 elite finalists from South Africa’s seven Confucius Institutes.

In a video address, His Excellency Wu Peng, the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, praised the competition as a vital “Triple Bridge”-a bridge of language, a bridge of culture, and a bridge of friendship. He encouraged the youth to become custodians of the China-South Africa partnership. The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Ren Faqiang, Chinese Consul General in Cape Town and Fan Ding, Education Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, alongside over 500 spectators.

In his address, Professor Robert Balfour, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of UWC, highlighted that learning Mandarin effectively transforms China from “a distant country” into “a very close neighbor.” Emphasising the deeper meaning of the competition, Professor Balfour remarked: “Language- when we talk about the ‘bridge’ in this programme -is really meant to be a bridge into insight, a bridge into inclusion, a bridge into understanding.”

The success of the DUT CI at this prestigious event aligns with the university’s ENVISION2030 strategy, emphasizing internationalisation and people-to-people exchanges. By fostering such talent, DUT continues to bridge the gap between cultures, preparing students to be globally conscious citizens who contribute to the China-Africa shared future.

Pictured: DUT winners at the 25th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students.

Ruiya Ma/DUT Confucius Institute