By Sbongile Sokela
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced a plan to introduce Mandarin as a subject in public schools across the province.
This plan is part of strengthening ties between South Africa and China. Learning Mandarin could help students in business, trade, and tourism.
The decision has received mixed reactions. Some people support it, saying it will give students more job opportunities. Others believe schools should focus on local languages and existing subjects instead.
Mandarin is the most spoken language in the world, with over a billion people using it. It is the main language of China, Taiwan, and Singapore. Many schools worldwide are teaching Mandarin because of China’s influence in the global economy.
Since China is South Africa’s biggest trading partner, learning Mandarin could help students find jobs in international trade, diplomacy, and technology.
China’s Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, welcomed the plan. He said, “We are happy about this and hope more South African students will learn Mandarin and Chinese culture.”
In 2014, South Africa’s Department of Basic Education (DBE) and China’s Ministry of Education signed an agreement to bring Mandarin into South African schools. The goal was to improve education and encourage cultural exchange.
In 2015, Mandarin was officially added to the school curriculum as a Second Additional Language (SAL). The DBE planned a step-by-step introduction, starting with grades 4–10 in 2016 and later expanding to grades 11 and 12.
Now, Gauteng schools will introduce Mandarin slowly, starting with a few schools before expanding.
Students will learn basic Mandarin speaking, reading, and writing. They will also be taught about Chinese history, culture, and traditions.
To help with teaching, the Gauteng Department of Education will work with Chinese language experts. Teachers will need special training, and schools may use digital learning tools and partnerships with Chinese institutions.
Teaching Mandarin in schools can bring many benefits.
Students will gain a valuable language skill and learn about a different culture. It may also open doors to scholarships, student exchange programs, and jobs in China or Chinese businesses in South Africa.
However, there are challenges. Some teachers worry about fitting a new subject into an already full school schedule. Others believe schools should focus on improving local languages and important subjects.
There are also concerns about finding enough trained Mandarin teachers and suitable learning materials. These issues must be solved for the plan to work well.
As the world becomes more connected, knowing multiple languages is an advantage.
Learning Mandarin can help South African students succeed in international business, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.
