Botswana students showcase Chinese-language talent

The Chinese Embassy in Botswana on Thursday hosted a Chinese proficiency competition for foreign college students in the capital city of Gaborone.

The competition, co-hosted by Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana (CIUB) and University of Botswana (UB), is a preliminary competition of the 14th "Chinese Bridge". Twelve students participating in the competition were selected from dozens of candidates through a Chinese writing test held last week.

The students, many of whom are studying at CIUB or majoring in Chinese Studies at UB, gave speeches in Chinese, talking about their Chinese dreams or their stories with CIUB.

The contestants also demonstrated their talents -- Chinese songs, Chinese paper cutting and Chinese poetry.

After judged by a jury that is composed of Chinese Ambassador to Botswana Zheng Zhuqiang and officials from the embassy, dean of the Faculty of Humanities of UB, Andy Chebanne, CIUB Director Part Magdla, Chinese director of CIUB Dong Jianping, teachers of Chinese Studies at UB and CIUB, Mogolo Ramalebang won the outstanding prize and will represent her Botswana fellows to China to compete with contestants from other countries.

Gaoele Mosimanyane, who won the first prize, will be sponsored by the Chinese side to China and witness the competition.

CIUB was established under an agreement between the University of Botswana and the partner university Shanghai Normal University. Established in 2009, CIUB now has 12 teachers with 4,700 graduates.

Each year, China provides more than 80 government scholarships for Botswana students to pursue higher education in China. China has built and donated two primary schools in Maun, in the north and Serowe in the east of the country.