Latest news with #Zimbabweans
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Zimbabwean students showcase language skills at Chinese proficiency contest
HARARE, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese language learners in Zimbabwe on Friday showcased their language skills during the 24th "Chinese Bridge" competition organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, the country's capital. Drawing participants from primary schools, high schools, and colleges, the competition consisted of a speech in Chinese and a talent show. Kudakwashe Makoni, a student of political science and diplomacy at the University of Zimbabwe, stood out with his grasp of the Chinese language and knowledge of Chinese culture. He told Xinhua that the Chinese language serves not only as a practical skill to learn in a globalized world, but also as a bridge between the two countries. "Learning Chinese provides huge opportunities for Zimbabweans. You can get scholarships to study in China, and also, with the rapidly growing Chinese economy, there is an opportunity for trade, so we can leverage the opportunity to create an amicable relationship between Zimbabwe and China," he said. Thandeka Risinamhodzi, a high school student from Harare, was elated to be crowned the champion in the high school students' segment. "Chinese is a very exciting language that you can learn. Learning Chinese benefits in many ways, like in Zimbabwe, most things involve the Chinese, like job opportunities," she said. Makoni and Risinamhodzi will represent Zimbabwe at the international finals of the "Chinese Bridge" competition in China later this year. In his address to the contest, Attwell Mamvuto, pro-vice-chancellor for academic affairs and administration at the University of Zimbabwe, said the competition not only celebrates linguistic excellence, but also marks the enduring friendship and cooperation between the two countries. "Learning a new language opens doors to new opportunities, fosters understanding, and builds bridges between people from different backgrounds. The Chinese language, with its rich history and vast number of speakers, is a particularly valuable asset. It also augurs well with the University of Zimbabwe's strategic thrust on the internationalization agenda as well as academic and cultural exchanges," he said. Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding said the growing number of Zimbabweans learning Chinese demonstrates the language's global prominence and the importance and vitality of the enduring partnership between China and Zimbabwe. "This year, as we celebrate the 45th anniversary of China-Zimbabwe diplomatic relations, which are rooted in solidarity, shared aspiration, and mutual benefit, we also celebrate decades of our joint achievements, which include the robust educational and cultural collaboration between our two countries," Zhou added.
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Eyewitness News
No arrests after xenophobic attacks in Addo
There have not yet been any arrests after xenophobic attacks in Valencia, Addo, forced hundreds of immigrant families to evacuate on Sunday. The 'revenge attacks' by a group of men were triggered by the murder of a South African man on the weekend, allegedly by an immigrant. The mob went from house to house on Sunday, kicking immigrant families out of their homes. At least 30 Zimbabweans were injured during the attacks and 17 are still in hospital, according to the Embassy of Zimbabwe. Four men have died, says the South African Police Service (SAPS). The SAPS Serious and Violent Crimes Unit is investigating, said police spokesperson Majola Nkohli on Thursday. 'The situation in Addo is still tense. Police are continuing to maintain high visibility patrols in the area,' said Nkohli. Some families have been staying at the Addo police station, too afraid to return to their homes. Hundreds of others have been evacuated to a church hall in Gqeberha. The church has requested not to be named for safety concerns. Dennis Makolo arrived there on Thursday morning after being discharged from hospital. But he was still disoriented when we spoke to him and could not remember the hospital he was in or how he ended up at the church hall. He said he was beaten by a 'violent mob' and now wants to find work outside of Addo. 'I have bad memories of the area.' Anyway Hlungwani, who was beaten up with crowbars, is still in immense pain. His face is still swollen, his head wound stitched up, and he has sores all over his body. 'The truth is that I don't want to hear anything about Valencia. I was beaten for nothing … Had it not been for my wife, who bravely intervened, I could be dead by now,' he said. Hlungwani's wife, Everjoy Chipangura, said that if they had enough money, they would have boarded the next bus to Zimbabwe. 'I don't want my child to grow up in a hostile environment. We have to start a new life again, but elsewhere,' she said. But others staying in the hall said they cannot return to Zimbabwe and want to go back home to Valencia. 'This is the first such incident in the area,' said one man. 'I have worked on several farms in the Sundays River Valley area for nearly 20 years, but I haven't experienced this type of threat.' 'The reason why we are all here is the economic turmoil of Zimbabwe. There are no jobs. I will go back to Valencia once the police tell us that the situation has improved.' Chairman of the Zimbabwe Migrants Support Network, Chris Mapingure, said that donations of food, clothing and toiletries are urgently needed. 'We're glad to have received amazing support from individuals, Gift of the Givers, businesses and government departments.' This article first appeared on GroundUp. Read the original article here.
The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
Zimbabwean immigrants speak out after Addo attacks
In the wake of violence that left four dead and hundreds displaced in Addo in the Eastern Cape, the Zimbabwean immigrant community finds itself in mourning for their neighbours, their homes, and their sense of dignity. The chain of events began with a tavern fight between Zimbabwean nationals and South Africans, as reported by eNCA . One man, a local, died. Community members said anger started after local police released one of the murder suspects. On Sunday, 25 May, residents retaliated by attacking foreign nationals living in Valencia. In what police have called 'revenge attacks,' mobs descended on immigrant households, forcing entire families to flee in the dead of night. Mobs moved through immigrant homes in Valencia, forcing hundreds to flee. In the next days, police confirmed three foreign immigrants dead, others injured, and dozens more left homeless. Groundup reports that some immigrants are now sleeping at police stations. Others have relocated to a church hall in Gqeberha. According to the Zimbabwean Embassy, 30 citizens were injured and 17 remain hospitalised. Speaking to eNCA News, a Zimbabwean community leader issued a public apology. 'We Zimbabweans are the ones who started this by killing one of the South Africans,' he said. He asked for forgiveness, saying they are not in South Africa to commit crime, but only to find greener pastures and survive. According to GroundUp , Zimbabwean immigrant, Anyway Hlungwani, is still in severe pain after they attacked him with crowbars. 'The truth is that I don't want to hear anything about Valencia. I was beaten for nothing … Had it not been for my wife, who bravely intervened, I could be dead by now,' he told GroundUp . Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
Wake-up call or unfair criticism? Prince Kaybee's honest take on Zim music
South African producer Prince Kaybee has just lit a fire under Zimbabwe's music scene. In a now-viral post, he praised the country's talent but didn't hold back: 'The problem isn't quality… it's the sound.' Prince Kaybee singled out Zimdancehall, calling it 'too layered, too niche' and said it just doesn't connect beyond Zimbabwe's borders. Zimdancehall is Zimbabwe's version of dancehall, but it is more than just a copy. It is a homegrown genre that speaks to the realities of ghetto life, with lyrics in Shona, local slang, and themes that range from poverty to love. Prince Kaybee's comments on Zimbabwean music have divided opinion, some say he's being disrespectful. Others think he's just saying what needs to be said. It all started on X after user @tabanimcgucci claimed Zimbabwean music had 'no export value' and called it 'mid', especially in comparison to the endless stream of South African musicians cashing in on Zim gigs. 'SA artistes are making money from Zimbabwe,' Tabani posted. 'When Zim artistes go abroad, they only play for Zimbabweans. That's how mid our music is.' The post sparked a war of words, which saw Prince Kaybee joining the conversation. 'I've been to Zim many times, stayed there for a month while recording The 4th Republic,' he posted. 'You guys have world-class engineers and songwriters, the problem isn't quality.' He said the issue is Zimdancehall. 'It's a subgenre of a subgenre. It doesn't translate commercially in South Africa,' he explained. He added that the dancehall flavour is being forced into everything, including Amapiano, which leads to a confusing hybrid that just doesn't stick. 'The writing and lyrical approach still has that dancehall texture. That makes it hard for the music to evolve and grow.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
eNCA
4 days ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Magesi hold Pirates to a draw
JOHANNESBURG - Veteran Zimbabweans Elvis Chipezeze and Edmore Chirambadare had roles in the goals as Orlando Pirates and Magesi ended their South African Premiership seasons with a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. Stand-out performances from goalkeeper Chipezeze in the richest African national league have earned him a recall to the national squad at the age of 35 for June friendlies in Morocco. But he conceded a soft goal after only seven minutes at a chilly Orlando Stadium in Soweto, allowing a Patrick Maswanganyi shot from the D to bounce over him into the net. It gave second-placed Pirates a lead they retained until the 32th minute when 33-year-old Chirambadare raced into the area and fired across goalkeeper Sipho Chaine into the far corner. Chipezeze redeemed himself midway through the second half when he parried a close-range shot from Mohau Nkota to safety. Pirates, who had to settle for a third consecutive runners-up place behind Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premiership, dominated possession in both halves. But bottom-half Magesi became increasingly competitive as the match progressed and deserved the unexpected point. A season that promised so much for Pirates ended with them lifting only one trophy of the five they sought -- a knockout competition among the top eight finishers in the previous league. The biggest disappointment came in the CAF Champions League semi-finals where they twice squandered an aggregate lead in the second leg before losing to Egyptian club Pyramids. A change of coaches with former Derry City forward Owen da Gama, 63, taking over revitalised Magesi, who were odds-on favourites to be relegated halfway through the season. The club from northern city Polokwane finished with 31 points, five more than bottom club SuperSport United, who host Golden Arrows on Thursday in the final match of the season.
