Communication Bridge

“Chinese Bridge” language competition a valuable link for China-Zambia people-to-people exchange

- Derrick Silimina

Armstrong Sezongo, 26, never thought that one day he would get the chance to enter university, despite having passed his Grade 12 final exams. However, a lack of sponsorship almost shattered his long-held dream.

Fascinated by Chinese culture from a young age, Sezongo was always drawn to watching Chinese movies, a predisposition that nudged destiny and led him to attend the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia (UNZA) in Lusaka to study Chinese.

“It has been my dream since childhood to visit China one day, and I was always drawn to Chinese culture. I am determined to pursue my studies and realize my dream,” Sezongo told ChinAfrica.

As a Chinese language student at the UNZA’s Confucius Institute, Sezongo said he began his studies in February 2019 and described the course as inspiring.

“We have been learning about the general culture and history of China among other things. Apart from that, we also learn more about China’s art and music through events such as the Chinese Corner and the ‘Chinese Bridge’ Chinese Proficiency Competition,” he said.

Sezongo is one of many high school graduates in rural Zambia who dream of getting university education, but are prevented from furthering their studies because of financial constraints, and end up in the countryside or do odd jobs upon completion of high school.

Fortunately, for Sezongo, the story has a happy ending.

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