SA puts Mandarin on government syllabus

Clive Emdon PLANS ARE in place to increase Mandarin speakers among government officials, says the South African ambassador to China, Ndumiso Ntshinga. The Department of Foreign Affairs started a programme two years ago that will be extended to other government departments. Interviewed by The China Analyst published by the Beijing Axis, Ntshinga said the need for Chinese language teaching was clear particularly with South Africa’s approved destination status (ADS). “We expect to see tourism numbers from China doubling in the near future. We have accordingly started training tour guides who study for one year in South Africa, followed by a few months in China. This programme will be expanded.” Ntshinga said it was clear that South Africa’s engagement with China would only intensify. “The result will be increased cooperation in terms of trade, investment, R&D and scientific cooperation, tourism, cultural contact and so on. In short, our bilateral ties are becoming more important for both countries. Government and business must actively position themselves for this future.”