The 1st Rhodes University Chinese Speech and Talents Show was held on the 26th of April 2014 at the Barrat Lecture Theatre 2. Chinese studies students gather together to compete by delivering a speech in Chinese and show their talents by performing in various ways in relation to aspects of Chinese culture. They also did a written test on the Chinese language and culture before the actual speech and talents show began.
The Vice Chancellor, Dr. Saleem Badat, opened the event with a speech. He praised the students who have made an effort to take Chinese studies and expose themselves to a different language and culture. He encouraged the students to meet the challenge in learning something that they may benefit in their life. Dr. Badat expressed his appreciation to the Chinese Hanban and the Confucius Institute at Rhodes University for their funding and support for the Chinese studies program. The Director of Consular Section of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Cape Town, Mr. Zhang Yong, and his colleague, Mr. Li Jun, Consular, were present at the competition. Mr. Zhang also gave a speech at the opening and thanked Rhodes University for supporting the development of the Chinese studies program. The director of Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Town, Prof. Evance Kalula, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Insititute at Stellenbosch Univerisity, Prof Xie Zuoxu, and the director of Confucius Classroom of Cape Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology also came to the event and acted as judges to the competition.
Two first year and one third year Chinese studies students won the top three prizes. They will be supported by the Confucius Institute at Rhodes University to participate in the regional preliminary contest of Chinese Bridge, a Chinese proficiency competition, in Cape Town in the middle of May.
Although the event took place at the time of a long weekend, there were still a fair number of people that came to the competition to cheer the contestants. The event was a success. It ended with a cheerful finger food chatting session with dishes provided by the local Chinese restaurant and some varieties by the Chinese teachers from the Chinese Cultural Centre at 36 Somerset Street.