On 22 January 2025, Professor Bernard Nthambeleni, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Venda (UNIVEN), attended the Happy Chinese New Year Reception at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Pretoria, South Africa. The event was held at the invitation of His Excellency Ambassador WU Peng of the Chinese Embassy.
On photo: The UNIVEN Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Bernard Nthambeleni (left) poses for a photo with the Chinese Ambassador Mr WU Peng (center) and the Co-Director of UNIVEN GTCI Prof Grace GE (right)
During the celebration, Prof Nthambeleni had the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of guests, including directors of Confucius Institutes across South Africa. They exchanged insights on the status and prospects of these institutes, exploring potential collaborations that could further strengthen educational and cultural ties between South Africa and China.
On Photo: The UNIVEN Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Bernard Nthambeleni (fifth from right), with Counselors from the Chinese Embassy and the CI Directors in South Africa.
In addition to these discussions, Prof Nthambeleni met with Mr SHEN Long, the Minister Counselor of Science and Technology at the Chinese Embassy to discuss the application of the BeiDou Satellite Navigation System at the UNIVEN campus.
Their conversation also touched on the prospect of establishing a joint research centre (JRC) aimed at broadening collaboration between UNIVEN and Chinese academic partners. The joint research initiative is expected to be supported by both the South African and Chinese governments.
Ms YANG Shu, who oversees the China-Aid Programme at the Chinese Embassy, highlighted the Embassy’s support for UNIVEN staff members, with five individuals sponsored to attend Chinese government seminars in 2024. Looking ahead, she confirmed that additional UNIVEN staff would be sponsored for upcoming seminars organised by the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FO-CAC).
Mr LI Yuanzheng, responsible for Educational and Cultural Cooperation at the Chinese Embassy, shared that the Embassy plans to support UNIVEN in deepening its engagement and running more collaborative programmes in conjunction with the upcoming 2025 G20 Summit in South Africa.
The event also offered a cultural exploration of the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. Celebrated as the most important holiday in Chinese culture, it marks the start of the lunar new year and the arrival of spring. Traditions include family reunions, house cleaning to clear out bad luck, and the giving of red envelopes containing money to symbolize good fortune and prosperity.
Prof Bernard Nthambeleni (center), poses for a photo with the Minister Counselor Mr SHEN Long (second from left) and the First Secretary in Education Mr ZHAO Yong (first from left) from the Chinese Embassy
Chinese New Year is widely celebrated beyond China, with festivals taking place in countries with significant Chinese or Sinophone populations across Southeast Asia, Europe, and the America. In 2025, the Chinese New Year will begin on 29 January, ushering in the Year of the Snake, which is traditionally associated with balance, harmony, and the power of the colour red, believed to ward off misfortune.
This year’s celebrations at the Chinese Embassy highlighted the enduring cultural and academic exchanges between China and South Africa, with both nations reinforcing their commitment to deeper cooperation across various sectors.
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