Strengthening Mandarin Education in South Africa

The IEB recently had the privilege of hosting representatives from the Embassy of the Republic of China in South Africa for a constructive and forward-looking engagement on the role of Mandarin as a Second Additional Language within the National Senior Certificate (NSC).

The delegation from the Embassy—Mr Fan Ding, Mr Zhao Yong, and Mr Li Yuanzheng—met with IEB representatives Ms Confidence Dikgole (CEO), Dr Helen Sidiropoulos (Executive Manager: Design and Development), and Ms Robyn Mowatt (Senior Assessment Specialist overseeing non-official languages in the NSC).

The discussions focused on the current scale and participation of Mandarin in the NSC examinations, as well as opportunities to strengthen support for Mandarin teachers through targeted professional development initiatives. Both parties shared insights and explored practical ways to expand access and enhance the quality of Mandarin language education in South Africa.

The meeting was marked by meaningful engagement, a shared vision for growth, and a strong commitment to continued collaboration.