Myths about China dispelled when SA youth explore country

SOUTH African young people have been motivated to take a leap of faith and visit China first-hand to dispel common misconceptions about the country often reported in the media.

- RAPULA MOATSHE

This transpired at the China-South Africa Youth Exchange event at the Fairtree Atterbury Theatre in Pretoria, where local young people networked with their Chinese peers over dinner.

Attending were the ANC youth league and South African Student Congress, among others, as well as young diplomats from the Chinese embassy.

Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, expressed his desire to see more young South Africans going to China to study and work.

The event's purpose, he said, was to bridge the gap between South African and Chinese youth, encouraging more local young people to visit China, gain a deeper understanding of the country, and return with open minds and hearts.

“Young people are the future and hope of the nation. China has always believed in the power of youth and we support exchanges of learning between China and young people from the global South,’ he said.

He said his government had over the years provided scholarships to many South Africants to study in China.

Michael Mayalo, one of the students, was celebrated at the event for his book, China Through My Eyes, which was launched to coincide with the occasion.