Kenyan primary school pupil Wanjiru Ethan Noah has emerged as the champion of the sixth "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Show for Foreign Primary School Students in Africa. Ethan's victory was announced after he competed against other pupils from across the continent. His achievement is a testament to his hard work and dedication to learning the Chinese language. Ethan learned Chinese through online platforms, mainly YouTube and Facebook, driven by curiosity about the language.
Ethan's journey to becoming a Chinese language champion began without formal lessons. He and his brother, Ebrahim Matthew, were self-taught and learned Chinese through online resources. Their progress was later noticed by teachers at the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University. The institute's teachers began helping the brothers develop their skills by giving them textbooks and other learning materials. This support enabled them to move on to higher HSK examinations.
The Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan, praised Ethan's achievement, saying his early progress was achieved without formal lessons. The ambassador noted that Ethan and his brother immediately caught the attention of teachers and the institute's director during their HSK Level 1 examination three years ago. Their performance stood out among other candidates, and they were recommended for the "Chinese Bridge" competition.
Ethan's winning performance focused on Zheng He, the 15th-century Chinese explorer whose voyages took him across the Indian Ocean to the East African coast. By telling the story of Zheng He's travels, Ethan linked the explorer's historic journeys with the cultural relationship between Kenya and China. His presentation helped him emerge as the leading contestant from Africa.
Ethan's presentation was based on a story he had read about Zheng He's journey to Kenya. He explained how ancient Zheng He crossed the vast ocean to reach Kenya, bringing Chinese tea, and how the Kenyan people presented him with a giraffe to take back to China. Ethan also used the Kenyan phrase "Hakuna Matata" while speaking about the lasting friendship between the two countries.
Director-General of the Department of African Affairs at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Du Xiaohui, praised Ethan's presentation, saying the Kenyan pupil had "charmed the judges" with his account of Zheng He's voyages. Ethan's success means he will now compete in the final stage of the sixth "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Show for Foreign Primary School Students alongside other four continental champions.
Ethan's achievement points to the role young people can play in strengthening cultural relations between Kenya and China. Ambassador Guo said, "May the wonderful friendship between China and Kenya continue to grow deep roots, bloom, and thrive among our young generation." Ethan's victory is an inspiration to other young people to learn the Chinese language and explore cultural exchange opportunities.
Key points
- Kenyan pupil Wanjiru Ethan Noah wins Africa's top spot in Chinese language contest
- Ethan learned Chinese through online platforms without formal lessons
- Ethan will compete in the global finale of the "Chinese Bridge" competition
