Chinese culture show offers immersive experience at Botswana secondary school
Organized by Maru-a-Pula School, the Chinese Embassy in Botswana, and the Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana (CIUB), the event featured various cultural activities, including traditional Chinese music, calligraphy, martial arts performances, and language lessons.
Students actively participated in hands-on activities such as calligraphy, chopstick challenges, martial arts demonstrations, and even naming their favorite Chinese dishes in Chinese. A standout moment came when CIUB instructors performed a traditional Botswana song in the local language.
Delivering welcoming remarks, Nicholas Evans, principal of Maru-a-Pula School, emphasized the event's significance in fostering friendship, mutual understanding, and cultural exchange.
"This celebration is more than just a showcase; it is a bridge connecting China and Botswana," he said, noting that the strong bilateral relationship between Botswana and China is built on mutual respect, cooperation, and cultural exchange.
Cui Yin, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Botswana, attended the event, along with the school teachers and students.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Singaporean actress Michelle Chia marries 41YO boyfriend before 50th birthday
Jackson Tan and Michelle Chia first met in 2008, but their paths did not cross often over the years. It was not until 2025 that the couple began to interact more frequently. Photos: Michelle Chia/Instagram Singaporean actress Michelle Chia has tied the knot with her non-celebrity boyfriend Jackson Tan, after they dated for more than two months. The news was first reported by Chinese-language evening daily Shin Min Daily News on Aug 9. The couple held their wedding on an Indonesian island on Aug 8. They chose the date as it is easy to remember and they can celebrate future anniversaries along with National Day, which falls on Aug 9. Eight is also a favourite number among the Chinese community, as it symbolises prosperity. Chia, who turns 50 on Sept 19, told Shin Min : 'I didn't expect the biggest gift (my husband) would show up so suddenly in my life... The wedding on Friday was the best birthday gift I could ask for.' They chose the wedding venue as it holds great significance for them. The couple celebrated Tan's birthday there in February. The wedding was attended by about 40 family members and close friends, including artistes Jesseca Liu, Apple Hong, Priscelia Chan and Jayley Woo – Chia's co-stars from local TV series The Queen (2016). The wedding expenses were covered by Tan, 41, a real estate consultant. 'One of his wedding gifts was a five-minute fireworks show at the reception,' Chia told Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao in a separate interview. 'I wept for a full five minutes while watching it.' Chia, who said in an interview with Shin Min in 2016 that she had no plans to remarry, told Zaobao that Tan changed her perspective on marriage. She was married to Malaysian actor Shaun Chen, 46, between 2009 and 2011. 'Our relationship is like that of close friends,' Chia said of Tan. 'We look forward to coming home every day after work, staying home together, watching TV and chatting about life. We drink coffee together in the morning and can chat non-stop for one or two hours. 'He takes very good care of me, and our communication gives me a strong sense of security as well as confidence in our marriage.' Tan took part in Mediacorp's talent contest Star Search in 2007 and won the Personality title, but left the TV station within a year. He and Chia first met in 2008, but their paths did not cross often over the years. In September 2024, he wished her a happy birthday via a text message. Soon after, they met for coffee along with a mutual friend, but there was no spark at that time. It was not until 2025 that the couple began to interact more frequently, often meeting for coffee and chatting for four to five hours. 'It felt like being a student again,' Chia said. 'We talked about everything, including our ideals and philosophies in life, growing and learning from each other. We realised we are really alike: I am the female version of him, and he is the male version of me.' Their first date was at National University of Singapore's UTown, which was also where Tan proposed to her. His sister, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews were also present on the day of the proposal. On their age gap, Chia said she does not feel like she is approaching 50, both in spirit and appearance. She added that she has many aspirations and remains energetic and positive. Tan affirmed that what he requires in a partner is spiritual compatibility, and that nothing else matters. The couple currently have no plans for a honeymoon. Chia will fly to Beijing for filming, before travelling to India with friends in September. 'My husband cannot accompany me due to work commitments. But I'll be back a few days before my birthday,' she said. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Father-son duo unite for first art exhibition
Shared vision: (From left) Prof Cheng, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology president Prof Datuk Dr Lee Sze Wei, Sigma Coders director Datuk Lau Kok Tong and Chang at the launch of the joint exhibition at Wells Auction Group in Kuala Lumpur. — Low Lay Phon/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: World-renowned Chinese painting master Prof Dr Cheng Haw Chien is holding his first art exhibition with his son, running throughout August. Themed 'Different Generation, Same Artistic Path', the father-and-son showcase features 50 works inspired by scenic landscapes from their travels in China. Prof Cheng, who is also an accomplished calligrapher, poet, author and educator, said his pieces are created using splashed ink on Japanese hot stamping gold foil. 'Most of my paintings are landscapes, painted with my son Jordant Chang Sao Suo. 'Splashed ink means freehand painting, which is different from classical Chinese painting,' he said at the exhibition launch here yesterday. In the exhibition, Penang-born Prof Cheng presents serene landscapes while Chang explores the symbolic beauty of Taihu stones. Chang said he was excited about the joint exhibition as the pair discussed the idea for years. 'We talked about this many years ago but couldn't set a date,' said the 41-year-old, who left his job as an industrial designer to follow in his father's footsteps. He also said the paintings were inspired by his visits with his father to China over the years. Highlights at the show include After Rain and Shrouded in Mist, both featuring intricate Chinese painting techniques. Born in 1948, Cheng studied the Lingnan style, which blends Western influences with Chinese ink painting. He is currently a visiting professor at Renmin University of China and lifetime adviser to the Ningbo Art Museum, and formerly served as president of the Central Academy of Art in Malaysia. Since his first solo exhibition in Penang in 1969, he has held over 150 exhibitions worldwide. The exhibition is open from 10am to 5pm daily until Aug 31 at Wells Auction Group.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Tiara Jacquelina: We're happy Mila met someone who complements her
KUALA LUMPUR: Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina has expressed her joy and gratitude over the marriage of her eldest daughter, Hani Karmila Mohsin Effendi, to Abang Saef Hud Abang Iskandar. Tiara described Abang Saef as the ideal match for her daughter, affectionately known as Mila, and praised his honesty. "We're so happy that Mila has found someone who not only loves her but truly completes her. We already love Abang Saef like our own son," she said in a statement today. "After eight years together, they've built a strong and unwavering love. Today, we're not just welcoming a son-in-law, but a new family member. "Our family is incredibly happy and grateful for this beautiful union of love." Tiara and her husband, Tan Sri Effendi Norwawi, were delighted that their daughter's wedding, a private ceremony attended by close family and friends, went smoothly. The celebrations began with a vibrant Chinese tea ceremony and traditional 'gatecrashing' on Aug 3, honouring Mila's Chinese heritage. This was followed by a marriage ceremony steeped in Sarawakian and Malay traditions. Both events were held behind closed doors at her family's residence. Continuing with family tradition, the couple celebrated their Chinese, Sarawakian, and Malay heritage through two meaningful ceremonies. The marriage was officiated by Ustaz Azwan and witnessed by the fathers of the bride and groom, Tan Sri Effendi Norwawi and Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Hashim. Mila, who also goes by her stage name Mila Mohsin, and Abang Saef first met in 2017 at a jiu-jitsu tournament. They now run the RYU Combat Academy together, where Abang Saef is the head coach, a testament to their shared passion for martial arts. In a joint statement, Abang Saef and Mila thanked everyone for their heartfelt wishes and prayers. "While these ceremonies were held behind closed doors, we hope the spirit of love and unity that radiated will inspire everyone who believes in meaningful family relationships," they said.
