Chinese Consul General Awards R500,000 in Bursaries to Gauteng Students

The Consulate General of China in Johannesburg has given bursaries totaling nearly R500,000 to tertiary students under the Education Empowerment Initiative in partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. The initiative is aimed at giving financial support to students from different institutions in the province.

The bursary handover ceremony was graced by Consul General of China in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, Gauteng Speaker Morakane Mosupyoe, student recipients, and officials from various institutions of higher learning. The bursaries were given to 18 students from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), University of the Witwatersrand, Vaal University of Technology (VUT), and South West Gauteng College.

It is truly a great pleasure today that I, on behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Johannesburg, have the honor to stand here today to announce our bursary sponsorship to 18 students from University of Johannesburg (UJ), University of the Witwatersrand, Vaal University of Technology (VUT) and South West Gauteng College with a total worth of R498,000. Congratulations to the 18 recipients," Pan said at the handover ceremony.

He noted that the bursary scheme is a symbol of the Chinese Consulate's support and proof of an enduring commitment towards supporting educational progress. 

"This bursary scheme is a symbol of the support of the Chinese Consulate and, most importantly, a proof of steadfast and strong shared commitment and devotion.

Pan emphasized the increasing ties between China and South Africa, noting that the bursary program is a component of the continued collaboration between the two countries.

China and South Africa share traditional friendship with comradeship in addition to brotherhood. China-South Africa relationship has been elevated to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era under the leadership of our two presidents. We are pleased to point out that between the two nations the political mutual trust has increased, practical cooperation has developed well, cultural exchanges have expanded," he said.

In Pan's view, the robust bilateral relationship between China and South Africa serves as a model for China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation.

“As the Consul General of China in Johannesburg, I’m so proud and encouraged that sub-national friendship and cooperation between China and Gauteng and Free State, which are the Consulate’s consular districts, has yielded new results in various fields. Amity between peoples holds the key to the relationship between countries”, he said.

He also stressed that the Consulate General is committed to deepening cooperation with all sectors in order to achieve development and common interests.

"The Consulate is determined to spare no efforts to further interact with individuals from all walks of life, certainly with the ongoing and priceless support from Honourable Speaker (Mosupyoe) and your office, in order to bring more concrete and tangible benefits to our two peoples".

Pan also reemphasized that education is still one of the Consulate General's main priorities.

"Education is the foundation for social progress and national development. Education is very important to both our two nations. Nelson Mandela once quoted that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world".

He discussed China's national plan in developing education and the activities carried out by the Consulate General in serving this purpose in South Africa.

"China has launched the strategy of revitalizing the nation through science and education. The Consulate General has taken on the 'Driving Education Culture' project and organized a series of activities together with local governments, universities and schools, communities and partners in a bid to promote a caring and enabling society for education from the entire society".

He added that the bursary scheme is yet another step in this direction to ensure that financially challenged learners are able to study without extra loads.

"Today's bursary scheme is again a step from us along with Honourable Speaker and provincial legislature to empower education, particularly to ensure that learners in challenging financial condition can concentrate on their studies without extra load".

Pan concluded by expressing the Consulate General's willingness to cooperate with the Gauteng Legislature to ensure youth development and enhance the friendship between China and South Africa.

On behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Speaker Mosupyoe termed the Education Empowerment Initiative bursary scheme as a celebration of partnership in education.

We are also brought together to celebrate the Chinese government's largesse under President Xi Jinping whose assistance has directly transformed the lives of our children".

She recognized China's dedication to empowering Gauteng's and South Africa's youth through education support.

"This bursary scheme is a testament to China's dedication to empowering Gauteng's youth and the youth of our nation as a whole, to ensure that promising students from our province are able to pursue their studies without the weight of unpaid debt", she added.

The scheme is likely to further deepen educational exchanges between China and South Africa, further cementing the mutual commitment to youth development and academic excellence.