A primary school learner from Cloetesville is gearing up to represent South Africa in an international Chinese proficiency competition in China.
This is according to Glynn Crowley, a teacher at Rietenbosch Primary and the co-ordinator of the Confucius Institute Chinese Programme at the school.
The international “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition will take place from 18 to 26 September, according to Crowley.
Mario Jooste (12), a grade 6 learner at Rietenbosch Primary, won the primary school category at the national “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition, which took place on 27 June in Cape Town, said Crowley.
He competed against learners from all over the country to qualify for the international competition, according to Crowley.
“Since 2013, [Rietenbosch Primary] has been doing Mandarin classes, where Chinese instructors from the Confucius Institute come in to teach the students their language and culture,” said Crowley.
Glynn Crowley (left), a teacher at Rietenbosch Primary, next to Mario Jooste (right), a learner who will soon be attending the international “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition in China. “Since 2013, [Rietenbosch Primary] has been doing Mandarin classes, where Chinese instructors from the Confucius Institute come in to teach the students their language and culture,” said Crowley. PHOTO: Christopher Naidoo
Heading to China
“I am proud of myself,” said Jooste. “I’m excited to go to China and experience all of it.”
Jooste said that it will be his first time out of the country and that he is grateful for the opportunity.
According to Crowley, Jooste is a very talented learner and academically strong.
“I want to be a doctor one day, so that I can help people,” said Jooste. “I want to uplift my community and make it a better place. I want a better life for myself in the future.”
“I am so excited to see the Great Wall of China,” said Jooste, when asked about what he looks forward to on his upcoming journey.
There is a set itinerary for the learners attending the competition, according to Crowley.
“The kids will be doing sightseeing in two Chinese cities: Beijing and Tianjin,” she said. “At the end of every day, they have to diarise their day in Mandarin. This will contribute to their overall marks in the competition. They will be marked on their speech, performance, and knowledge.”
Lyle Zimry (left) standing next to his friend Mario Jooste (right). Both are learners from Rietenbosch Primary and competed in the national “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition, which took place in Cape Town on 27 June, according to Glynn Crowley, a teacher at Rietenbosch Primary. Mario won first place and Lyle came in second, said Crowley. PHOTO: Christopher Naidoo
‘I always support my friends’
Lyle Zimry (12), another grade 6 learner at Rietenbosch Primary, was the runner-up in the competition, according to Crowley.
“I am happy and proud of Mario,” said Zimry. “I always support my friends and I want them to be successful.”
“I am going to compete again next year and hopefully this time I will win the competition,” Zimry added.
Mario Jooste, a grade 6 learner at Rietenbosch Primary in Cloetesville, will soon head to China to represent his country in the international “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition from 18 to 26 September, according to Glynn Crowley, an educator at Rietenbosch Primary. PHOTO: Christopher Naidoo
“I feel like a local celebrity now,” said Jooste. “Whenever I’m in a new place, people point to me and say: ‘He’s the boy who’s going to China’.”