A Chinese language dubbing contest was held in South Africa as part of the 'Chinese Bridge' program for International Chinese Language Day 2026. The event was dedicated to the theme 'When China and South Africa Meet' and was open to all Chinese language learners across the country via an online registration platform.
The organizers of the contest were the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of South Africa, in collaboration with the Center for Language Education and Cooperation. The event took place at the Confucius Classroom in the South African Center for Chinese Culture and International Education and was sponsored by the China-South Africa Economic and Trade Association. Confucius Institutes, Confucius Classrooms, and Chinese language schools across South Africa were also involved in the organization.
Participants were divided into two main groups: native Chinese speakers and those who are learning the language. The contest included five divisions: a Division for native Chinese speakers for primary school students (under 8 years old), for students aged 9–12, for students aged 13–18, and two divisions for non-native speakers: for non-native speakers under 18 and for non-native speakers over 18.
A total of 131 dubbing entries were received from Confucius Institutes, Confucius Classrooms, and educational institutions across South Africa. Excerpts from popular animated films and TV series were used as material for dubbing, including 'My Little Pony,' 'Super Wings,' 'Monkey King: Hero Returns,' 'Big Hero 6,' 'Chinese Folk Tales,' 'Nie Zhao,' and 'Zootopia.' Each recording was approximately one to three minutes long.
The contest attracted active participation from young Chinese language learners in South Africa. Participants demonstrated youthful energy in classic animated clips through lively Chinese diction and subtle emotional expression. Their performances showed not only confident command of the Chinese language but also understanding and appreciation for Chinese culture.
To ensure a fair, impartial, and transparent judging process, a senior expert panel of three experienced specialists was formed. The panel included a former advisor on Chinese language for the Department of Basic Education of South Africa, a former president of the South African Chinese Teachers Association, and the Secretary-General of the China Economic and Trade Association in South Africa.
The judges carefully reviewed and evaluated each online entry based on four main criteria: Chinese pronunciation and intonation, fluency, sound synchronization, and overall expressiveness. The panel conducted a comprehensive and thorough assessment of all submissions, considering both linguistic accuracy and artistic merit.
In each division, one First Prize, two Second Prizes, and three Third Prizes were awarded, along with several encouragement awards.
As a significant cultural event and people-to-people exchange event marking International Chinese Language Day 2026 in South Africa, the dubbing contest utilized an engaging dubbing format to overcome geographical and linguistic barriers. It significantly increased the interest of young South Africans in learning Chinese, strengthened practical language skills, and provided a high-quality platform for showcasing and promoting cultural exchange between China and South Africa. The event also contributed to mutual integration and the exchange of Chinese and South African cultures.
The Confucius Classroom of the Center for Chinese Culture and International Education and Cultural Exchange plans further development of international Chinese language teaching in South Africa. New, more innovative, and attractive people-to-people exchange events will be developed and launched, which will promote further cultural and interpersonal interaction between China and South Africa, as well as the development of Chinese language learning. Thanks to these efforts, Chinese will become a strong thread of friendship connecting China and South Africa, opening a new chapter in cultural exchange between the two countries.