South African youth shine at 2026 'Chinese Bridge' Finals in Durban

The 19th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Secondary School Students and the 6th Chinese Bridge Chinese Show for Primary School Students successfully concluded at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) on June 12.

During the event, cultural experience booths featuring Chinese tea art, calligraphy, and picture books attracted many teachers and students.

During the formal competition, contestants delivered themed speeches and talent performances, demonstrating young South Africans' enthusiasm for learning Chinese and their solid language skills, while also reflecting the growing influence of Chinese culture in South African educational institutions.

At the ceremony, contestants from primary and secondary schools across the country shared their Chinese-learning stories and aspirations through speeches and talent performances.

For the first time, the competition introduced an online track, attracting more than 30 submissions, including Chinese songs and recitations of classical Chinese poems.

The event highlighted the growing popularity of Chinese culture on South African campuses, drawing more than 100 attendees, including senior diplomats, education officials, contestants, and parents.

Among the attendees were Miao Miao, Acting Consul General of China in Durban, Hleki Ruthani Mabunda, Director of International Relations at the South African Department of Basic Education, and Dr. Lavern Samuels, Director of International Education and Partnerships at DUT.

They were joined by university leaders, representatives of Chinese enterprises, contestants, and parents.

In her remarks, Miao encouraged South African youth to use language as a bridge to promote China-Africa friendship. “Chinese is the golden key to opening the door to China,” she emphasized, urging students to serve as young diplomatic envoys connecting the two nations.

Hleki Ruthani Mabunda, Director of International Relations at South Africa's Department of Basic Education, highly praised Confucius Institute teachers for their outstanding ability to guide students from having no prior knowledge to achieving advanced proficiency.

She said the South African Department of Basic Education will continue to deepen bilateral education cooperation and support the promotion of Chinese language teaching in primary and secondary schools.

Marking a milestone for the competition, this year's edition featured concurrent offline finals for both primary and secondary groups, alongside a newly introduced online track.

Following an intense round of competition, Awethu Malusi (Confucius Classroom at the Cape Academy of Maths, Science and Technology) claimed the secondary school championship, while Aleah Ramouthar (a teaching site of the DUT Confucius Institute) took top honors in the primary school division.

As national champions, both winners will go on to represent South Africa at the global finals of the Chinese Bridge competition in China.