The 24th Chinese Bridge - Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students concluded its finals in South Africa and Zambia on Friday, with dozens of local students winning from fierce competition involving Chinese language tests, speeches, and various talent performances.
Under the theme "One World, One Family," the South African final in Cape Town brought together 15 standout students from various universities, each selected through multiple rounds of competition. They shared their experiences of learning Chinese in the language itself, vividly showcasing the crucial role of Chinese language in fostering cross-cultural communication.
Thakane Masia from Rhodes University claimed the championship after intense competition in the Chinese written test, themed speech, and talent showcase.
"This year, everyone prepared really hard. The performances and speeches were all amazing, so I'm truly proud to be number one," Masia said.
The event also included an activity to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, where students made five-color silk threads and scented sachets and ate zongzi, providing them with a deeper insight into Chinese culture and traditions.
Meanwhile, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia in Lusaka, there were the Zambian finals of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" and the 18th edition for Foreign Secondary School Students.
The two finals turned out 10 university students and nine secondary school students, who demonstrated their Chinese language proficiency and cultural knowledge through poetry recitations and performances of Chinese pop songs.
After fierce competition, Rabecca Daka from the University of Zambia and Mubanga Museba from Kasama Girls' Secondary School won first prizes in their respective categories.
"Chinese is not just a language; it's like a bridge between two or more people or between countries," Daka said.
Chinese language proficiency competition finals in South African, Zambian conclude
