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Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) recently celebrated the achievements of its top students in Chinese language studies at a gala event hosted by the Department of Modern Foreign Languages at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS).
The annual Naspers Award Ceremony honoured students for their excellence in Chinese language, with standout achievers receiving prestigious awards, including a ten-day, all-expenses-paid trip to China sponsored by Naspers.
The event brought together distinguished guests, including Phuti Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO of Naspers South Africa; His Excellency WU Peng, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to South Africa; TANG Chang'an, acting Consul general of the PRC in South Africa and Prof Vasti Roodt, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at SU.
The Chinese course within the Department of Modern Foreign Languages has been sponsored by Naspers since October 1998. At the time, it was the first undergraduate programme in Chinese at a residential university in South Africa.
The Naspers prizes are awarded to students who achieved top results in each of the Chinese modules offered at SU. Based on the academic performance of the students, 24 candidates from all four years competed for the awards. They had to participate in a language proficiency test covering essay writing, speech and a general knowledge quiz to be considered for the Naspers Awards.
Additionally, ten third-year students, who have successfully completed Chinese module 318/348, earned a fantastic reward – a 10-day, all-expenses-paid trip to China in December this year.
Several SU honours students are currently on exchange at Renmin 肆客足球 and Wuhan College in China. For the honours students, two cash prizes will be awarded after their return from China.
The value of language and cultural exchange
In his opening address, Prof Ingo Müller, Chairperson of SU's Department of Modern Foreign Languages, praised the commitment of students who had competed rigorously in the Chinese language proficiency tests.
Noting the challenges of learning Chinese, Müller highlighted the students' resilience and foresight in mastering a language that opens doors to diverse career paths in international relations, business and education. “By learning Chinese, you are not just acquiring a language skill; you are preparing yourself to be true global citizens," he remarked.
Müller also expressed gratitude to Naspers and the Chinese Embassy for their sustained support for Chinese teaching at SU.
WU commended SU and Naspers for their commitment to advancing Chinese education in South Africa and applauded the students' passion for learning.
Acknowledging the common perception of Chinese as a challenging language, he offered encouragement: “Once you recognise between 2 000 and 4 000 Chinese characters, you can communicate effectively," he said and encouraged students to visit China to understand its rich history.
He also spoke about China's commitment to peace and harmony, rooted in a 5 000-year-old civilisation. He emphasised that fluency in Chinese provides unique insights into this cultural legacy, which values non-aggression and cooperation.
As a further commitment to SU's language programme, he announced additional resources from the Chinese Embassy to support the Department's initiatives. “We count on you as the new generation to carry forward China and South Africa's friendship and to help build a better future," he concluded.
Mahanyele-Dabengwa echoed these sentiments, and provided background about Naspers' relationship with China, such as the extensive investment in the Chinese tech giant Tencent. “For all the young people in this room, the opportunities are vast and significant," she said, emphasising how proficiency in Chinese can be transformative in a world where multilingualism is increasingly essential.
Addressing the students directly, Mahanyele-Dabengwa praised their hard work, commitment and foresight in pursuing Chinese. “Being able to have access to another language opens so many opportunities for you. The opportunities that you are creating for yourselves as leaders of tomorrow are truly exciting. We're so proud of all of you," she said.
Naspers Awards winners
Jessica Clarke was the star of the evening and won the prize for best third-year student in Chinese. Chelsea Simpson came second and Maxine de Lange third in the senior group.
Leila Stander won the prize for top student in the second-year class and Taaraa Lakay was recognised as the top first-year student in Chinese.
Certificates of merit were presented to the following students: Daphne Faith Betu; Emme Smith; Isabella Anne Van Rooyen, Maarten Kyle Cuperus; Anna Cousins; Jasmin Etherington and Asanda Vilakazi.
After the prize-giving, students showcased their talents with Chinese songs and dances, adding cultural vibrancy to the formal proceedings while guests enjoyed a feast of Oriental cuisine.
