by Ntandoyenkosi Ncube
JOHANNESBURG, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Language exchange is a cornerstone of deepening economic and political ties between Africa and China, said Phiwokuhle Mnyandu, an adjunct professor at Howard University's Center for African Studies.
In a recent interview with Xinhua, Mnyandu said the growing teaching of the Chinese language in South Africa is playing an increasingly important role in fostering mutual understanding and advancing cooperation with China.
"When people want to understand each other, they learn each other's languages," he said, noting that the expansion of Mandarin teaching reflects strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
As trade and investment links intensify, Mnyandu said language proficiency enables more effective communication, allowing South Africans to better access business, education, and employment opportunities in China.
"Just as people from francophone countries learn English to access global markets, South Africans learning Mandarin can unlock similar opportunities in China's economy," he said.
Mnyandu also stressed that Africa-China cultural exchange programs should move beyond one-sided influence and be grounded in local realities to promote mutual learning.
Research into how language is used in everyday South African life is essential to shaping effective teaching approaches, he said, adding that Chinese language instruction should be adapted to local cultural contexts.
"It cannot be taught in South Africa the same way it is taught in China," he said. "South Africans respond strongly to music and dance, so integrating language learning into cultural forms like music could be a highly effective approach."
On education, Mnyandu noted that South Africa still faces challenges in strengthening its own language systems, which may affect the broader adoption of foreign languages.
He suggested that mechanisms such as the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission could help address these challenges, particularly through technological support.
"Technology is the biggest independent variable in determining how South Africa can effectively promote its own African languages," he said, adding that progress in local language development would support the expansion of Chinese language learning.
Mnyandu further highlighted that proficiency in Chinese can significantly enhance employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young South Africans.
"The Chinese language is one of the most important languages in the world today, especially in economic terms," he said, noting that it opens doors in business, higher education, technology, and creative industries.
Looking ahead, he said digital innovation and globalization will continue to reshape Africa-China cultural and linguistic exchanges, particularly for younger generations. ■
