Jamie Cripwell from Stellenbosch University performs Little Apple, a popular square dance in China during his talent show performance PHOTOS BY LI JIANGUO

Lizel Kotze from Stellenbosch University gives a speech on her experience in learning Mandarin

Consul General Wang Jianzhou (left) of the Consulate General of China in Durban issues awards to Albertus De Man (right) from Cape Scientific Academy and Selycia Curwen (middle) from Pretoria Chinese School, winners in the secondary school students group

Officials from the Chinese Embassy, Consulate General of China in Durban and the Department of Basic Education of South Africa, and teachers from Confucius institutes and Confucius classrooms in South Africa pose with winners in the secondary school students group

Host and hostess of the competition

Mshede View from the Durban University of Technology demonstrates his Chinese brush calligraphy

Five South African students are on their way to represent their country when they compete in the Mandarin proficiency competition to be held in China in July. 

The five were winners in the 2015 Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency South Africa Preliminary Competition for college students and secondary school students held on May 30, 2015 in Durban. 

A total of 32 students, including 24 from five South African universities and 8 from secondary schools across the country, participated in the competition. 

The preliminary heats were divided into three sections: written test about China and Chinese culture, Mandarin speech and Chinese culture talent performance. 

Topping the College Students Group were Lizel Kotze and Jamie Cripwell from Stellenbosch University and Hadebe Nokuthula from Durban University of Technology. 

Albertus De Man from Cape Scientific Academy and Selycia Curwen from Pretoria Chinese School impressed the judges and the audience to win the secondary schools competition with their Mandarin proficiency and Chinese culture talent shows. 

The five students will be flying the flag for South Africa at the 14th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for College Students and the 8th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Secondary School Students to be held in China in July. 

The 2015 Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency South Africa Preliminary Competition was jointed sponsored by Hanban, the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, Consulate General of China in Durban and the Confucius Institute at Durban University of Technology. It is one of the many events staged as part of the Year of China in South Africa in 2015. 

The Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition is a large-scale international contest sponsored by the Confucius Institute and Hanban, aiming to promote the enthusiasm of students in various countries in learning Mandarin and strengthening the understanding of the Chinese language and culture.