The Durban University of Technology’s Confucius Institute (DUT CI) and the Chinese Embassy in South Africa recently held two successful events in Durban which served as platforms for young people to learn Mandarin and more about China.

The 14th World College Students Chinese Bridge Competition and 8th World Middle School Students Chinese Bridge Competition took place on Saturday, 30 May 2015, and Sunday, 31 May 2015, at the at the Coastlands Hotel, Umhlanga Rocks, Durban.

The World College Students Chinese Bridge Competition is a large-scale international competition organised by Hanban, the Confucius Institute Headquarters. Since its launch in 2002, the annual event has been held seven times and attracted more than 593 college students from 59 countries to participate in its semi-finals and finals in China. In addition, there are more than 50 000 students all over the world involved in the preliminary rounds. The contents of the competition include Chinese language proficiency, knowledge about China, Chinese cultural skills and comprehensive learning abilities.

The Durban competition saw 32 students from various SA universities and high schools taking part.

In his address, Song Bo, Head of the Education Division in the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, said the country’s young people were the future and would play a vital role in the relationship between China and South Africa. “The Chinese bridge is the bridge that links the friendship between China and South Africa. Today we are not only here for the competition but to also celebrate the year of China in South Africa,” he said, adding that learning Mandarin played a pivotal role in effective communication between South Africans and China.

Eight students from DUT represented the University, with two winning prizes. Nokuthula Hadebe won second place while Blessing Machiwana came in fourth place.

Professor Graham Stewart, e-Learning Co-ordinator at DUT, said DUT is proud of the excellent progress made by its own and other CI units around the country. “We are proud of the excellent progress that we and other institutions others made over the last two years and how far we have come in building a bridge in the exchange of ideas and sharing of cultures between the two nations,” he said.

Further applauding the work of the DUT CI, Hleki Mabunda, Director of International Relations and Multilateral Affairs in the Department of Basic Education, highlighted the importance of strengthening the relationships between the two countries through education. “South Africa and China are strategic partners in many aspects. Witnessing such dedication from the CIs and universities as well as the schools participating here today shows that we are heading in the right direction. We would like to thank the Durban University of Technology for inviting the Department of Education and its hard work in making everything a success,” she said.

• Noxolo Memela

Pictured on the back row is Sizwe Sisoka, a DUT student who participated in the event; Professor Stewart, e-Learning Co-ordinator at DUT; Scelo Kubheka, a DUT student who participated in the event, Dr Eddie Fu, DUT CI Director; and Karen Stewart, Prof Graham Stewart’s wife who also studied Mandarin at DUT. In front is Nokulunga Mteshane, another DUT student who participated in the event and Nokuthula Hadebe, who won second place.