Jaden Jacob from the Motswedi Community Junior Secondary School performs Chinese Gongfu during his talent show at the final of the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Botswanan secondary school students in Gaborone, Botswana, March 27, 2026. The final of the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Botswanan secondary school students was held Friday in Gaborone, the southern African country's capital.(Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)
GABORONE, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The final of the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Botswanan secondary school students was held Friday in Gaborone, the southern African country's capital.
Co-organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana (CIUB), the Livingstone Kolobeng College, and hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Botswana, the final event drew nine candidates from four Botswanan schools to compete in three segments, namely a written test, a speech, and a talent show including skills in poetry, singing, dancing, Chinese Gongfu, and traditional Chinese paper-cutting.
Jaden Jacob from the Motswedi Community Junior Secondary School emerged as this year's champion, with his attractive talent show of Chinese Gongfu.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education Morena Rankopo said, "This is my first time to attend Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Botswana Secondary School Students." He commended the organizing work, and stressed the need to embrace and introduce Chinese language courses in Botswana.
"The Chinese language competence helps our children with understanding China, doing business with China and catching up with China," he noted, terming China as an economic giant that performs the best in the world and keeps making wonders in economy and high technology.
As one of the six official languages of the United Nations, and a major language in the world, "The Chinese language is a good tool for Botswana children to be equipped with and enter the future world concerning China and Chinese," he said, applauding the Confucius Institute's role as a cultural and educational bridge between Botswana and China.
Chinese Ambassador to Botswana Fan Yong said the competition theme "Fly High with Chinese" captures a beautiful hope that young people around the world can take Chinese as their wings to chase their dreams and to reach out to the wider world.
He said the competition is not just about language but also about fostering a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and history. He noted that beyond language proficiency, participation offers students "a life-changing journey and an opportunity to witness firsthand the dynamic progress of modern China," adding that such exchanges strengthen people-to-people ties between China and Botswana.
"This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. To celebrate this milestone, Chinese and African leaders have agreed to make this the 'Year of People-to-People Exchanges.' It is a shared commitment, and a meaningful step forward, as we stand at a new historical starting point to deepen the friendship between us," said the Chinese ambassador.
Frederick Ramsay, Principal of Livingstone Kolobeng College, urged his school and the wider community to deepen cultural ties with China, framing Mandarin education as a cornerstone of cross-cultural understanding and future opportunity. He expressed hope that his school will become a center for Chinese language and culture. ■
