Dream-chasers in South Africa

A group photo of teachers and volunteers

At the southernmost end of the African continent, there is a nation with diverse and unique cultures, long-standing history, and peacefully coexisting people of different races. It is the "Rainbow Nation" of South Africa, China's largest trading partner in Africa, and the third stop of President Xi Jinping's visit to Africa in 2018. In President Xi's 2019 New Year address, he noted, "China, as a country of people on the move, is energetically pursuing prosperity. We are all running very hard. We are all dream chasers." At the Confucius Classroom at Chinese Culture and International Exchange Center in South Africa, there is also a group of young dedicated dream chasers who create wonderful "China's stories." When thinking of South Africa, they often recall the World Cup, soccer, Mandela, diamonds... For most Chinese, it is a distant land, but for volunteer Chinese language teachers and international Chinese language teachers, it is another warm home with its scorching sunshine, year-round bougainvillea, jacaranda-filled streets, and bright smiling faces. They work there together to sow the seeds of the Chinese language. The like-minded young people are diligent, down-to-earth, and hardworking, contributing their share to promoting Chinese language and culture.

Teacher Yuan teaches students to make Zongzi

Now Teacher Yuan Lina has been engaged in overseas Chinese language teaching for nine years. From a fresh graduate to a seasoned teacher in the eyes of her colleagues, she has spent the years in Vietnam in Asia, Botswana in Africa, and South Africa at the southern tip of Africa. Each place she has worked leaves the most beautiful memory. As a Chinese language teacher, Yuan takes great comfort and joy in witnessing her students progress from knowing nothing about the Chinese language to communicating fluently in it. However, as a wife and mother, she often feels sorry toward her husband and child. Watching her flower-like students, she often reveals a maternal tenderness in her eyes, according to her colleagues. "I love my students, especially the children. They often remind me of my son, who is just over two years old. But due to visa issues, my family has been separated. He lives with his father, so I can only keep up with his life through videos. However, this intangible love is ineffective for my child. My longing for them grows day by day. This might be the imbalance between family and work. I love my career, so I am still actively working toward reuniting our family."

A group photo of Teacher Yuan and her students

As an international Chinese language teacher, Yuan began her second time working in an African country. She sincerely hopes to see children from impoverished areas in South Africa change their destinies by learning Chinese. When taking on classes at public schools in Black communities, she found the children to be clever and quick learners. However, they often immediately forgot what they learned after class, and struggled to complete assignments, though they could remember nursery rhymes. She decided to try a different approach, and searched for nursery rhymes related to the lesson content on YouTube. With these rhymes as a guide, she extracted key vocabulary for the students to master, and gradually, their Chinese improved. One day during a break, Yuan asked them why they were learning Chinese. They just smiled, looking somewhat blank. Yuan knew she needed to motivate them. In the next class, she gave a presentation on the possibilities that learning Chinese well could bring, like the opportunities to visit China, participation in the "Chinese Bridge" competition for secondary school students, and scholarships to study in China for a brighter future. "I spoke with passion. Some students listened attentively, while others were indifferent. If even one student took it to heart, I would have succeeded." As the Chinese saying goes, knowledge changes destiny. Yuan always encourages her students to believe that they can learn Chinese well and venture beyond Africa. "I love the blue sky, white clouds, and the lush greenery here, and gradually adapt to the life in Africa. I look forward to helping more people in Africa, thousands of miles away, understand the real China, and providing them with opportunities for a better future."

Jin Xinyu with children at an early childhood education center

During an activity class at an early childhood education center, Jin Xinyu, a volunteer Chinese language teacher, encountered innocent and adorable children, and kind, responsible teachers who taught the children to draw the flags of both China and South Africa. When the children showed their colored drawings, Xinyu was deeply moved. "I was very excited to see them waving flags of China and South Africa happily. I was happy and proud of what I did." One child said to her in English, "Teacher, I want to go with you to China." At that moment, Xinyu felt trust and friendship. "At that moment, that child truly wanted to visit China, and we were truly working to help them learn more about the real China and grow to love it. This is the meaning and value of us coming here, far from our homeland."

Daimei gives Chinese names to each student

During a calligraphy demonstration, a young spectator asks Daimei to write their Chinese names on their clothing.

Teaching Chinese language and promoting Chinese language has been volunteer Yang Daimei's dream since her freshman year in college. Most of her students are local South African primary and secondary school children. Pure-hearted and kind, they express their affection directly, such as giving Daimei a big hug after class, or presenting her with hand-drawn pictures, which always move her deeply. Daimei had a special student who never missed a class, took thorough notes, and seized each opportunity to practice Chinese. He asked questions both in and out of class. When asked why he learned Chinese, he said his dream was to travel the world. China, a distant and captivating Eastern country, is so different from South Africa in terms of language, script, customs, culture, history, and politics, filling him with curiosity and interest. Visiting the country is better than just reading about it, so he considered China as the first stop on his world tour. Daimei was incredibly proud of this student. "He learns Chinese, just as we teach it, out of love, which fuels teaching and learning."

Tengfei's last class in South Africa, when he parts with students

A group photo of Tengfei and his students

After teaching Chinese language in South Africa for a year, volunteer Zhang Tengfei decided to extend his stay for another year. "I truly love this work. One year is too short for me to share the countless aspects of the language and culture, as well as and many wonderful China's stories, with my students. I chose to stay to turn this love and reluctance into something tangible. Over the past two years, my students and I have progressed and grown together, accumulating so much. I am full of confidence and idealism about this work." He recalled his first Chinese class in South Africa two years ago. Highly valuing the first lesson, he wrote down everything he planned to say, worried that his English might not be good enough for the children to understand. Over thirty students attended that first class. He taught with enthusiasm, but the response was somewhat subdued. He felt nervous, wondering if it was because he was a new teacher or if he hadn't explained things well. "I was constantly reflecting and doubting myself. Then, the children seemed to sense my anxiety and passed me many kind little notes to encourage me. This heartwarming thing completely melted my heart, and soon enough, I bonded with the children. I still keep those notes at home, and every time I see them, they bring back fond memories. With their support, these two years have been worth it." For Tengfei, the most unforgettable moments in South Africa are the days spent living and working with everyone. "After work, we would go home and start honing our cooking skills. I could only make a few dishes before, but after two years, I can prepare a feast. We gathered not for the dishes only, but for chatting about life, sharing our pasts, and discussing our future plans around the table. These are the happiest moments for us young people." In the eyes of his colleagues, Tengfei was like a big brother, taking care of everyone in every detail, like changing light bulbs, heavy lifting, and cleaning, making them feel at home.

Volunteer Liu Yafen, like Tengfei, decided to extend her stay for another year. However, when a close family member unexpectedly fell ill and was hospitalized, Yafen used her vacation to return home to care for him. After the vacation, she hurried back to South Africa to continue her work. Despite her worries and reluctance to leave family behind, she remained dedicated to each class, and stuck to her post. Recalling the most unforgettable moment of her teaching career, Yafen said it was during the finals of the 2018 "Chinese Bridge" competition for secondary school students in South Africa. Sitting in the audience, she witnessed the children's outstanding performances. Whenever she thinks about it, she feels a surge of pride. During that time, the children were under immense pressure. They had many school commitments, but to prepare for the competition, they would come to the office after class daily to practice repeatedly with the Chinese language teachers. One child told her that he would stay in bedroom for long after school to practice, even when showering and before bed. He even performed for his family during meals, and learned two words in the process: seriousness and persistence. Yafen was deeply moved. When the results of the competition were announced, Yafen and Teacher Yuan learned that the hardworking children had narrowly missed the opportunity to go to China. They felt sorry for the students and couldn't hold back their tears. One of the students, seeing this, said in a Northeastern Chinese accent, "Teacher, don't cry!". Despite their own disappointment, the students tried to cheer up the teachers. Yafen immediately stopped crying. "This is how it is. Their innocence and optimism always influence me subtly. Teaching Chinese language is always a two-way learning process."

Jiacheng teaches at the Chinese language school in South Africa-China Economic and Trade Association

Students studying seriously in Jiacheng's class

Liao Jiacheng, a volunteer Chinese language teacher, had been in South Africa for five months, where he could experience local simple and honest folk customs, fresh air, and clear, bright sky. Although staying here, he already felt reluctant about having only six months left in his term. Jiacheng remembers the thirst for knowledge in his students' eyes during each class, and the moments when people of different skin colors greeted him with a loud "Hello" on the street. The five months had flown by, but for him, they had been fulfilling and joyful, filled with emotion and gratitude. "I dare not call myself a true people's teacher in the full sense, but I teach my students everything I know about the Chinese language, Chinese culture, and the Chinese way of handling things." Due to his love for South Africa and Chinese teaching, Jiacheng decided to extend his stay for another year. He hoped to help South Africans understand and love the Chinese language and culture, contributing his youth and sweat to the Confucius Classroom.

Shanshan's students

Shanshan's students show their paper cutting works

After working in South Africa for over a year, Lu Shanshan, a volunteer Chinese language teacher, found that local people were increasingly enthusiastic about learning Chinese language, and growing more interested in China. What touches her most is the dedication of one of her classes. Despite their busy work and lives, they have persisted in learning Chinese language for over five years, and their children also attend Chinese language schools. When Shanshan was about to return home after her term, her students selected exquisite gifts for her and gave her unforgettable tight hugs. "They appreciated my patience and dedication, but I am even more grateful to them. Their persistence, hard work, and tolerance add value to my work. All my effort is worth it."

Shiyao's local teacher class

In addition to local students, volunteer Su Shiyao has two ROK students: one at the University of Pretoria planning to apply for graduate school in China; the other graduating from The London School of Economics and Political Science preparing to work in China. In the Rainbow Nation of South Africa, her students come from various ethnic backgrounds, while the two ROK students, also foreigners in South Africa, made Shiyao reflect deeply. "The Confucius Institute or Classroom you are in connects not only China with the host country, but also the languages and cultures of three or even more countries."

Children are active in the interactive session of Ruoxin's Class

After class, volunteer Chen Ruoxin is always surrounded by lively black children asking all sorts of quirky questions: "Do Chinese children go to school seven days a week? Do you never rest, not even on weekends?" "Teacher, can you teach me Chinese Kung Fu?" "Do Chinese people eat everything?" In the impoverished black communities, the roads are dusty, where street vendors coexist with open garbage dumps, and school buildings are rows of simple houses. Classrooms are crowded and messy, and the children's hairstyles, uniforms, and backpacks are often messy, worn, and sometimes dirty. But none of this dampens their curiosity and enthusiasm for China and the world. They are innocent and diligent, striving to learn as much as possible in their limited time, and to take everything to heart.

Peking Opera mask display, Honglin and her students

A group photo of Honglin with local principal and students

In Pretoria, volunteer Zhang Honglin encountered bright, smiling faces. The children's healing smiles deeply impressed her. The first time she walked into a South African school, the Chinese teachers became an instant attraction. Instead of giving them strange looks, the children ran over to hug them and greeted them with a standard "Ni Hao". Honglin was deeply moved by this unexpected warmth, and felt a sense of reverence and pride in being a Chinese language teacher herself. In class, she communicated with the children, and introduced them to the Chinese language and culture, while they shared their daily lives and South African culture with her. When Honglin said, "Thank you, my teachers", the classroom would be filled with laughter. After class, Honglin also taught the children to sing Chinese songs, write with brush, use chopsticks, and paint Peking Opera masks. "Those lovely children color my life in South Africa in an irreplaceable manner. I have also encountered beautiful nature, a peaceful mindset, and precious experiences there."

In South Africa, those young people often discussed the similarities and differences between Chinese and South African cultures over meals, shared teaching methods and experiences in the living room, and cooked their hometown dishes in the kitchen. They did countless things worth cherishing deep in their hearts and reminiscing about from time to time. Last year, the Confucius Classroom in Pretoria, South Africa was awarded the "Confucius Classroom of the Year" in 2018, one of the five globally and the only one in Africa. When promoting Chinese language education, they are surrounded by South African students who love the Chinese language. Helping them, and other South Africans know, fall in love, and learn the Chinese language and culture are both mission and responsibility.

"You and I have traveled far away from home for the same dream, hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder; we have parted after a short time together and have shed tears in lonely moments. Every time we hear the greeting, we feel rewarding, different languages converge into Chinese…" As the song for volunteer Chinese language teacher goes, the same dream brings them together in South Africa from all corners of the world, allows them to chat happily despite their different personalities, and unites them as indispensable as one family without blood ties. These lovely young people have left their homeland for the Rainbow Nation for the same dream, pouring their youth and sweat into introducing the rich and diverse Chinese culture and language, and for a common ideal in their hearts.