Eva Kahili (C) from Chairman Mao Zedong High School in Namibia poses with Namibia's Director of Education for Khomas Region Gerard Vries (R) and Political Counselor of Chinese Embassy in Namibia Yang Jun after she won the 12th Chinese Bridge proficiency competition for secondary school students in Windhoek, capital of Namibia, on Sept. 12, 2019. The Confucius Institute at the University of Namibia (UNAM) Thursday held the 12th Chinese Bridge proficiency competition for secondary school students in Windhoek. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua)
WINDHOEK, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at the University of Namibia (UNAM) Thursday held the 12th Chinese Bridge proficiency competition for secondary school students in Windhoek.
Nine talented students from different secondary participated in the event, where they had to undergo three rounds of the competition so as to be crowned the overall winner.
Students were judged on how they spoke the Chinese language, question and answer segment and finally a performance on any Chinese cultural talent.
This year, 16-year old, female student, Eva Kahili from Chairman Mao Zedong High School, left the judges in awe after serenading them in song, to bag this year's overall first place.
The talented 16-year old was closely challenged by Alvaro Suze from Immanuel Shafidi High School who was also a crowd favorite, but unfortunately, he had to settle for the second position.
Speaking at the event, Namibia's Director of Education for Khomas Region Gerard Vries commended the Chinese Embassy for fostering such an initiative citing the importance of language in uniting nations.
"The bridge competition is vital as it connects people from different countries and backgrounds, while it also strengthens friendships and a better understanding of different cultures," he added.
Political Counselor of Chinese Embassy in Namibia Yang Jun said at the event learning a language is the most efficient way to understand people, culture as well as different policies.
"Benefits of learning Chinese are vast. It will be much easier for business transactions when one is fluent in Chinese and wants to engage," he added, highlighting it as one of the practical benefits of learning a language.
The winner, this year, Kahili will be accompanied by her school's principal to China for the finals with other finalists from other countries.
