Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 Participate in the 23rd Chinese Bridge Competition
On the 17th of May 2024, Chinese Studies students from the Confucius Institute at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 partook in the 23rd Chinese Bridge Competition. Hosted by the Chinese Bridge Club, the competition took place in Cape Town. This was a great opportunity for Chinese Studies students not only to show case their proficiency in Chinese language, but also to exchange knowledge on Chinese culture. Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 representatives Thakane Masia (Chinese 1), Rebecca Whittal (Chinese 2), and Fadzai Jimu (Chinese 3), expressed so much gratitude for this splendid experience that allowed them to meet new people and learn more from each other, while exploring the beautiful city Cape Town.
The massive support the contestants got from their teachers made the competition bearable, and this encouraged them to do their best. In terms of preparations for the competition, the contestants were required to practice more with the assistance of their teachers. “Preparations were getting a bit difficult because we had to come here every day to practice, and we still had classes and assignment submissions, but I am glad we did that to mentally help us,” Ms Whittal said. Echoing the same sentiments, Ms Masia expressed “I just remember being very stressful because that week I had a lot of submissions and tests, but my teacher kept reminding me to come every single day to practice my speech”.
Ms Jimu stated, “I feel like if I was practising by myself without the help of my teacher, I wouldn’t have made it. She was reminding me everyday to do a little bit, so that it is not overwhelming when we get there”. The participants were thrilled and amazed at the hospitality they received and how the competition went. Even though students from other universities were attending for the second or third time, this did not discourage Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 participants. As a result, this experience has given them more motivation and courage to enter the competition again. “This experience was a good exposure, and I would do it again,” Ms Masia said. “I am definitely entering again next year, and I have started encouraging other students to enter,” Ms Whittal added.
“This year compared to others was better, I could see how confident our students were. Despite them entering and participating for the first time, they were confident, and they did well,” Professor Mwepu said. “Participating in a national competition helps improve yourself to be able to face the crowd and overcome fear,” Professor Mwepu added. Professor Patrice Mwepu expressed so much pride in the remarkable work done by the candidates and how confident they were at the competition. Even though they did not win the first or 2 nd prizes, their immense dedication to the competition and willingness to learn the Chinese language and culture was spectacular. There has been an improvement since post- Covid as there was a decrease during Covid, these candidates have uplifted the standard.
