??In this year's edition of the Chinese Bridge competition for university students and school learners from across South Africa, contestants from the Confucius Institute at Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 (CISU) again achieved outstanding results. In each of the competition categories, CISU entrants ended among the top three.
The Chinese Bridge competition is organised by the Chinese embassy in South Africa and hosted by three different Confucius institutes and classrooms in the country. Participants showcase their Chinese language and performance skills. In the run-up to the event, participants from Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 and schools in the Cape Winelands district received intensive training through CISU's outreach programmes, which are facilitated by teachers in the district.
The aim of the Chinese Bridge contest is to build a bridge between nations, fostering understanding and cultural exchange. Since its inception, over 1,4 million students from more than 150 countries have participated in the competition, which attracts over 100 million audience members annually.
Raking in the awards
In the competition for South African university students, hosted in Cape Town on 17 May, CISU's Jessica Grace Gascoyne Clarke ended in second place (pictured in blue below), while Ashiquah Norodien received an encouragement award (wearing red). Jessica will have the chance to travel to China later this year to observe the global finals.
On 7 June, primary school learners got their chance to show their proficiency in Chinese in the South African finals in Durban. CISU contestants Kay-Lee Verna Pietersen, Akeelah Nikitha Adams and Shailo-Jay Halley Fritz, all from Rietenbosch Primary School in Cloetesville, delivered impressive performances (pictured below with teachers from CISU and Rietenbosch Primary). Kay-Lee and Akeelah were named runners-up, while Shailo received an award of excellence.
CISU's competitors in the event for secondary school learners on 16 June, this time hosted in Johannesburg, were equally successful. With her outstanding performance, Mpemnyama Piko Hlobisa ('Cai Yi') from Makupula Secondary in Kayamandi (pictured in red below) scooped first prize and secured her place in the global finals in China. Carmen Paige Harris from Rhenish Girls' High School was awarded third prize, while Taliah Evelyn Demirah from Worcester Gymnasium received an excellence award (flanking Cai Yi on the picture below).
Uplifting our youth
These excellent achievements by Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 students and local school learners attest to the vast potential among our youth, the unwavering support provided by CISU staff, and the hands-on language training offered by Chinese teachers.
CISU remains committed to nurturing and uplifting talented youth by opening doors to international education and opportunities abroad. Continued educational support on offer includes school preparatory programmes in Chinese language and culture, sponsored pre-degree language courses at 256 Chinese universities for high school learners and adults, as well as full scholarships at tertiary level with either Chinese or English as the language of instruction. The financial support accompanying these programmes is significant.
Photos courtesy of CISU teachers.
