Rhodes University Students Shine at the South African University Students Essay Contest

The Awards Ceremony at the Chinese Embassy
The Awards Ceremony at the Chinese Embassy

In order to strengthen the friendship between South Africa and China, increase South African youth’s understanding of China’s recent development, and to promote the South Africa-China people-to-people exchanges, the Chinese Embassy in South Africa organised in 2022 a student essay writing competition with the theme “Xi Jinping’s Thoughts through South African University Students’ Eyes”. Students from any South African universities were eligible to participate.

There were a number of Rhodes University students who participated in the competition. The purpose of the competition was not only to strengthen diplomatic relations, but for students to understand Chinese policies which have been put in place by President Xi Jinping.

“The focus areas for the competition were, among others, China’s poverty eradication policy, global development and BRICS”, stated Ms Zou Hanyang who coordinated the participation of Rhodes University students in the competition. Students had to conduct thorough research on the topic, which they wanted to write about and also maintain originality in their topic of discussion.

The students’ essays show a great interest in South Africa-China relations and the development of People Republic of China under President Xi Jinping’s leadership.

Congratulations to the following Rhodes University students who received awards for their respective essays: Siyonwaba Mlamla (Chinese Ambassador Award), Nomvuyo Mufaro Nyoni (First Prize), Kara-liv Hauptfleisch (First Prize), Sasha-Lee Schafli (Second Prize), Guy Ian Edmondson (Second Prize), Busisiwe Goduka (Third Prize), Chiti Kabwe (Third Prize), Glenda Poswa (Third Prize), and Suzie Ndaundika Shefeni (Third Prize).

The winners were invited to the Awards Ceremony at the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria on 12 November 2022. Transport and accommodation were provided jointly by the International Office of Rhodes University and the Confucius Institute at Rhodes University. 

Congratulations to the winners! We hope that even more students will participate in the competition in the future and generate conversation on how world leaders are governing their respective countries and on how we can strengthen relations with fellow states.