13 Jul 2015

Botswana’s only contestant in the annual Chinese Bridge Competition Mogolo Ramalebang has advanced to the semi-final of the highly contested championships currently taking place in China.

Ramalebang, a final year undergraduate Chinese Language and Culture student at the University of Botswana advanced to the fourth round of the 2015 competition and into the semi-final (Top 30) after outsmarting more than 200 other international competitors aiming for glory in Chinese proficiency and mastery.

The event is being broadcast live to millions of Chinese viewers on Hunan Television, a provincial satellite TV station which is currently China’s second-most-watched channel, second only to CCTV-1 and BTV (Beijing Television). Hunan TV’s signal covers most of China, including Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan and other regions overseas.

Speaking at the event in China, she said, “The competition is a bit hectic. I am still wrapping my head around having cameras around the whole day. I need votes. Please share with everyone back home to vote for me! The online voting is more of a popularity vote, and is not based on anything more. I need to get as many fans as possible” she said.

She said contestants are judged on the number of votes accrued, as well as Chinese language speaking abilities, knowledge of Chinese Culture, and Chinese cultural skills.

To compete internationally she had to win the preliminary competition which was held this April at the University of Botswana by preparing and reciting a speech in Mandarin as well writing a mandarin test and listening comprehension.

She explained that voting is taking place online at the following website, http://bridge.chinese.cn/c14/site/vote. To vote for Ramalebang, click her photo and then register. After registering, check email to activate your account, and then log on to vote.

Members of the public can vote every one minute with the same account.

The Annual Chinese Bridge (Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students) is a contest for international tertiary institutions students on their mastery of the Chinese language.

The event was established as a way to introduce Chinese to the world. Since it began in 2002, more than 6000 contestants from over 50 countries throughout the world have participated in the event.

In its 14th year, the 2015 Chinese Bridge Competition has attracted more than 700 university students from across the world. The annual contest has provided a platform for foreign students to showcase their command of Chinese languages, exchange of Chinese culture and experiences.

The 29 years old Ramalebang, the first Motswana to take part in the competitions said, “I hate cameras. And the whole stereotype that Africans dance to every beat. I get so annoyed with other Africans fuelling the stereotype. You can’t possibly respond to every question with a crazy ethnic dance and weird jungle sounds” she said.

She said that besides the competition, all the international participants were treated to a lavish opening ceremony as well as a once in a life time opportunity to climb and explore the Great Wall of China in Beijing.

International contestants also had the chance to visit the Imperial Palace and Summer Palace as part of their social activities to help them unwind from the intensive competition.

The finals of the competition to be held next week in Beijing consists of separate and independent contests: “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students; and Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Students in China.

She said she expects to get back home next month at the end of the championships. Winners of the competition are usually awarded money and a scholarship. It is however rare for a non-Asia competitor to win the competition since its inception. Her travel and participation is sponsored by Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana. Ends