By Levy Masiteng 

Students from Stellenbosch University and school learners supported by the Confucius Institute at Stellenbosch University (CISU) won eight awards at the 2026 South African national Chinese Bridge finals, the university said.

The strongest result came from Sazi Pearl Gama of Worcester Primary School, who won first prize in the primary school division.

Stellenbosch University said Gama, as a first-place national winner, had earned the opportunity to travel to China for the global Chinese Bridge finals and would receive a scholarship to study in China.

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In total, SU students and CISU-supported school learners won one first prize, one second prize, two third prizes and four merit awards across the university, secondary school and primary school divisions.

The Chinese Bridge competition is an international Chinese-language contest in which students are assessed on their language proficiency, knowledge of Chinese culture and performance skills.

Taaraa Lakay, a BA Humanities student majoring in Chinese at Stellenbosch University, won third prize in the 25th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students South Africa Final, which was held at the University of the Western Cape.

Fellow SU students Stephen Joel Handley and Mbali Iviwe Hlope, both studying BCom Management Sciences, received merit awards in the university division.

In the secondary school division, Kaylynn Ann Slabber won third prize, while Jordyn Jodeequin Titus of Worcester Gymnasium and Stefan Prins of Stellenbosch High School received merit awards.

The primary school division produced CISU’s strongest results, with Gama taking first prize and Bliss Ropafadzo Manjengwa of False Bay Primary School winning second prize.

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The primary and secondary school finals were held in Durban this month.

“The results positioned CISU among the country’s top-performing Confucius Institutes in terms of both participation and achievement,” the institute said in a statement.

Stellenbosch University said the results followed months of preparation by CISU teachers, who coached contestants in speech writing, language development, stage presentation and cultural performances before the national finals.

“The strong results reflect the dedication of our students and learners, as well as the commitment of our teaching staff,” CISU said.

The South African rounds of the Chinese Bridge competition are supported by Chinese diplomatic missions and organised with Confucius Institutes across the country.

Stellenbosch University said CISU’s performance showed the continued interest in Chinese-language learning among South African pupils and university students.

INSIDE EDUCATION

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