Students attend a language class at a Chinese language school in Harare, Zimbabwe, on April 16, 2026. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua)
HARARE, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Inside a classroom in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, the rhythmic sounds of Mandarin are punctuated by bursts of applause as a student finished singing a Chinese song, turning a routine lesson into a lively cultural moment.
The activity at Zimgro Language Consultancy on Thursday is part of events leading up to the United Nations Chinese Language Day. In a year designated as the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, students evolved from language learners into bridges of cultural exchange.
This themed year aims to deepen social ties between China and its African partners. For Timothy Muvhango, a business owner who has mastered conversational Chinese through a two-year intensive program, the language is a catalyst for deeper connection.
"Language makes us understand how people behave, their culture and their tradition," Muvhango told Xinhua. "When we do not know another country's language, it might be difficult to relate to them."
Muvhango, who is involved in international supply chains, recalled a specific moment of connection. "At one time I was a bridge between locals and the Chinese people. By the end of the day, they all achieved their objective through me. So, I think people who understand Chinese are a key factor in this people-to-people exchange."
This pursuit of mutual understanding is what draws Elane Simbi to the language. While some see Mandarin as a professional asset, Simbi views it as a cultural bridge that brings communities together.
"It is a bridge to a completely different way of thinking and understanding culture. It brings people together. Even small things like conversations or cultural events can break down stereotypes," Simbi said.
Direct communication is a "game changer" for business, she said. "Many investors coming to Zimbabwe do not understand our culture. If I learn Chinese, I will understand their culture and become a bridge for communication."
For Isaiah Bowani, learning Mandarin is a two-way exchange. He said that while the language supports business, its deeper value lies in sharing Zimbabwe's own stories with the Chinese community living in the country.
"Learning Chinese helps us communicate and do business better. It also enables us to tell them about our culture and what we do here in Africa," Bowani said. "It is not only about us understanding them, but also about us telling them who we are."
The classroom enthusiasm reflects a broader national trend. As China's investment expands across mining, agriculture, energy and infrastructure, the language is increasingly being introduced into Zimbabwe's schools and universities, shifting from a cultural curiosity to a professional necessity.
Loveness Zimhindo, a Chinese language teacher at Zimgro, has witnessed this change firsthand. "Five years ago, people would ask why learn Chinese? Now, many come to us saying, I need Chinese for my job or my future," she said.
"Zimbabweans see Chinese companies building roads, hospitals and power stations across the country. They see friends and family members getting scholarships to study in China," Zimhindo noted. "The attitude has shifted from curiosity to genuine demand. Students no longer see Chinese as a strange language; they see it as a tool for opportunity." ■
A student sings a Chinese song at a Chinese language school in Harare, Zimbabwe, on April 16, 2026. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua)