Blessed Ncube knew there would be lucrative opportunities in learning Chinese. Therefore, the Zimbabwean chose to major in Chinese while doing her Bachelor of Arts and when she graduated in 2010, the 28-year-old found a wealth of steady work in translation coming her way.

"Recently, three companies contacted me about translating documents for them," Ncube, who hails from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city, told ChinAfrica. "The money is good. I can charge amounts ranging from $40 to $50 per page. There is scope to translate booklets for non-governmental organizations on various subjects, including HIV/AIDS."

Ncube also offers private tuition to those wanting to learn Chinese.

She is one of a growing number of Zimbabweans who are taking advantage of an agreement signed between the Confucius Institute Headquarters and the University of Zimbabwe, in August 2006, to set up the Confucius Institute at the University of Zimbabwe to teach the Chinese language and culture. Zimbabwe became the second country in Africa to do so after Kenya and now there are about 40 Confucius institutes on the continent.

It has been 12 years since Zimbabwe launched its Look East policy, placing emphasis on strategic economic partnerships with Asia, especially with China, as vehicles for economic growth. At that time, even the most farsighted policy makers could not have anticipated the impact introducing the study of the Chinese language would have on the lives of people in the southern African nation battling with economic challenges.

In studying Chinese, Ncube and other Zimbabweans were in illustrious company. In 2007 the University of Zimbabwe introduced Chinese studies as a Bachelor of Arts subject and the First Lady of Zimbabwe, Grace Mugabe, was the first international student to register for and successfully complete a B.A. Honors degree in it.

There is no denying the popularity of the Chinese language in Zimbabwe. The University of Zimbabwe said more than 600 students have taken the course since 2007. Apart from students majoring in Chinese, other students registered for degree programs as diverse as medicine, tourism and hospitality and international relations are also studying Chinese for one year additionally to enhance their degree profiles and increase career prospects, both locally and internationally.

Professor Pedzisai Mashiri, Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Zimbabwe, says the introduction of Chinese is not only a significant boost for cultural and bilateral ties, it is also something the government should take full advantage of for economic growth and improving overall efficiency.

"Our government should take advantage of this highly successful program and utilize the skills for value addition in its engagement with China at various levels," Mashiri told The Herald daily. "Graduates who major in Chinese, who are proficient in the language and culture, can be employed in various government departments, including immigration, revenue, security, foreign affairs, industry and commerce, and at the national airline."

The teaching of Chinese is spreading, especially in capital Harare, with the University of Zimbabwe's Confucius Institute offering Chinese to primary and secondary schools. In addition, in May, the Minister of Education, Lazarus Dokora, announced plans for teaching Chinese in schools along with Kiswahili, FreNcube is impressed with the developments and says besides promoting bilateral ties and cultural exchanges, there will be greater economic opportunities for Zimbabweans.

"These are all important steps in the right direction," Ncube said, adding that the University of Zimbabwe should now introduce a Master's Degree in Chinese. "Obviously, more economic rewards will accrue to individuals who commit themselves to studying the Chinese language."

(Reporting from Zimbabwe)