Interest of Chinese learning increases in Africa

In Africa, there is an increasing number of people curious about Chinese culture. A special school in the South African capital of Pretoria is doing its part to educate kids from all over the continent.

The Pretoria Chinese school opened its doors in South Africa 79 years ago.

The land for the first school buildings had to be purchased by the Chinese Consulate, because Chinese immigrants faced discrimination and racism under the old, White Apartheid Government.

Back then, immigrants were denied citizenship.

Things have changed dramatically since then, with political, economic and cultural ties between the New South Africa and China, growing stronger with each passing year. Just like the educational and cultural exchange at this unique South African-Chinese school.

There are nearly 500 learners at this multi-cultural school. Aged between four and around 17-years old.

And it's compulsory for all of them to study Mandarin.

One student said, "Chinese is nice to do, because we can do it with our friends at the same time."

Another said, "It makes me proud as a Chinese person, that everyone wants to be a part of the Chinese culture."

An African student said, "As South Africans we are exposed to many different cultures. But being exposed to Chinese is completely different. It broadens your horizons like you cannot believe."

Lisette Noonan, Principal of the Pretoria Chinese School, said, "Most parents that enroll their children at our school, not only do it for the academic excellence, but also for the values that the Chinese culture instills. The values of discipline and respect and humility, which are very important at this school. And the African parents at our school see this as being very valuable for their children's future."

Angela Liu, Deputy-principal of Pretoria Chinese School, said, "The most enjoyable part about my teaching, or my job is that from a child... they started with nothing, they don't know any Chinese at all, and they start learning the greeting words and the numbers and the counting and then simple songs and basic sentence structures and gradually they are able to understand a bit and speak a bit, so that to me, it makes my job very rewarding."

Rafeek Louw, a parent, said, "We really liked the feel of the school, the size of the classrooms, as well as whether our children can fit in here or not. Especially, given our religion and things like that. And it was very accommodating to us, our culture and our religion. As well as we wanted to instill the Chinese culture in our children as well, because it gives them a better opportunity going forward."

A male student said, "We look at the business side of you know, where we're gonna be in the future, and obviously Chinese is the future, it's where everyone's going. Where the world is going. So, like if you're venturing into a business or corporate world, or if you're gonna start your own business, you know, having the language behind you is really beneficial for you."

A Chinese student said, "As a Chinese I really excited and I've been very touched."

One student said, "I like that because there's a lot of races, so we can understand different cultures from different countries."

Learning Chinese is very special because our school is very close-knit. So, we can now all communicate in Chinese and we're just like one big family.