Everyone is welcome to join us for the International Chinese Language Day on 20 April. Part 1 Introduction This session introduces the basics of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), focusing on common herbs and their health benefits. Participants will have the opportunity to taste herbal wellness tea and engage in a hands-on activity by creating herbal-inspired accessories. It is an interactive way to explore the philosophy of balance and well-being in Chinese culture. Part

The Confucius Institute will hold the International Chinese Language Day on April 20. During the day, the tea room, boardroom, and acupuncture services will be unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding.

On 31 March 2026, the Confucius Institute（CI） for Chinese Medicine at the University of the Western Cape was invited to take part in the Employee Wellness Day. Through a combination of sporting activities and cultural performances, the CI’s teaching team demonstrated a positive and energetic spirit. During the event, the teachers actively participated in a range of recreational sports, including a fun run, football, and domino games. In the cultural showcase segment, a Tradit

Due to Wellness Day and Term break, The Confucius Institute for Chinese Medicine at the University of the Western Cape will be closed from March 31st to April 6th . During this period, the tea room, boardroom, and acupuncture services will be unavailable. Thank you for your understanding .

On March 20 the Confucius Institute at the University of the Western Cape held the preliminary round of the 25th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for University Students. During the competition, contestants delivered themed speeches and showcased a variety of talents, including singing and reciting poetry. With solid Chinese language skills and strong intercultural awareness, they vividly expressed their enthusiasm for Chinese language and culture. The event fea

On 4 March, the Chinese Consulate-General in Cape Town hosted a grand reception to celebrate the 2026 Spring Festival and Lantern Festival. Consul General Mr Ren Faqiang and Western Cape Minister of Social Development Mr Jaco Londt  attended and delivered remarks. Nearly 400 guests, including members of the consular corps and representatives from various sectors in the consular district, gathered to mark the occasion. A delegation of teachers and students from the Confucius I

On 11 February, Ren Faqiang, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Cape Town, paid an official visit to the University of the Western Cape (UWC) at the invitation of the university. He held cordial talks with Professor Robert Balfour, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of UWC, and other members of the university’s leadership, and visited the Confucius Institute for Chinese Medicine at UWC. Consul General Ren noted that UWC is a well-established research university in So

The Chinese New Year Market returns for its 4th year at Central Park, Century City (Cape Town), bringing Cape Town communities together to celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Horse! Look forward to a vibrant day filled with delicious Chinese food, Chinese arts and crafts, traditional Chinese tea, Chinese acupuncture, and an exciting line-up of performances and entertainment. This year’s highlights include Dragon & Lion Dance, Taichi, and even Zumba! There

On 17 February, the Confucius Institute hosted a Spring Festival Event on campus, welcoming nearly 1,000 staff and students to celebrate the Chinese New Year and experience traditional Chinese culture. The event featured a range of interactive cultural activities, including Chinese calligraphy, pitch-pot , shuttlecock kicking and Chinese tea tasting. Guided by instructors, participants had the opportunity to practise writing Chinese characters and take part in traditional fol

This week, the Confucius Institute for Chinese Medicine at the University of the Western Cape commenced teaching activities for the new semester. Chinese language courses at all levels, together with Traditional Chinese Medicine courses, were launched simultaneously. Focusing on established teaching objectives, instructors provided systematic introductions to course content, study plans, and learning requirements. These briefings helped students clarify their learning goals a

From 3 to 5 February 2026, the University of the Western Cape held a three-day staff orientation programme. Several teachers newly appointed to the Confucius Institute in 2025 participated in the programme. During the orientation, Professor Robert Balfour, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of UWC, and Professor Monwabisi Ralarala, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, delivered keynote presentations on the University’s educational philosophy and governance structure. Heads of

From 2 to 4 February, the University of the Western Cape hosted its orientation programme for new students. The Confucius Institute actively participated in the event by setting up an information booth on campus, where the Institute introduced its Chinese language courses, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) courses, and related cultural experience programmes to incoming students. During the orientation, teachers from the Confucius Institute provided detailed information on Ch

Beginners Chinese This course combines the HSK 1 course with the Experiencing Chinese Textbook content. The Chinese Proficiency Test is the standardized test for assessing Standard Chinese language proficiency in Mainland China among non-native speakers. This test is a requirement for those planning to study in China. HSK currently consists of nine levels, this course focuses on the first level. Completing this level will provide you with a solid foundation for future studies

Please note that online bookings for acupuncture and tea tasting will be temporarily closed from February 2 to February 7 due to staff and student orientation. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your support.

The Confucius Institute will offer Chinese language short courses in the first semester of 2026, as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine related classes.  The registration link is provided below each course description. We also offer Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments as well as Chinese Tea tasting which can be booked online.  To know more about us, please visit us on the second floor of B Block, UWC campus.  TERM 1: 9 February – 26 March TERM 2: 7 April – 13 May Beginne

Six students from the University of the Western Cape in South Africa won Outstanding Work Awards  at the 2025 competition themed “Sing & Learn Chinese — In Tune with Nature”  . Matshediso Lesia, Amahle Zulu, and Den Mari Jacobs formed the Protea  group and performed The Shy Rose Blossoms Silently ,  while Sinethemba Sphiwe Mnisi, Ria Ronewa Ndou, and Alexandria Ruth Gwaidza formed Rainbow Voices  and performed Rainbow . Both groups impressed the judges with their Chinese-lang

Compliments of the season!  As the New Year begins, we extend our warmest wishes to all our partners, colleagues, students, and friends. We are pleased to announce that the Confucius Institute for Chinese Medicine at UWC officially opens today, 5 January. Our website booking system is now live, and reservations for the Tea Tasting will open from 12 January . Reservations for Chinese Medical Acupuncture will officially open between late January and early February . We wish e

On 4 December 2025, Professor Liao Yong’an , President of Xiangtan University and Dean of  China-Africa Research Institute, led a delegation to visit the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in South Africa. The delegation was warmly received by Prof. Robert Balfour , Rector and Vice-Chancellor of UWC; Dr. Nita Lawton-Misra , Registrar; and Prof. Jacques De Ville , Dean of the Faculty of Law. Both sides held friendly and constructive discussions. This visit followed the July

Professor Robert Balfour , Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape (UWC), led the university delegation to attend the  2025 World Chinese Language Conference that took place at the China National Convention Center in Beijing.   The Conference was organized by the Ministry of Education, and was held under the theme “Innovation Leads, AI Empowers: Learning Chinese Without Borders”.   The conference brought together nearly 5,000 participants from over 16

On 18 November 2025, the UWC HR Employee Wellness of the UWC hosted the “Empower Him: Men’s Health & Wellness Event”, offering professional support across a wide range of areas, including health screenings, mental wellness, fitness guidance, and lifestyle improvement. The Confucius Institute for Chinese Medicine contributed to the event by dispatching a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) instructor and teachers to lead a Baduanjin wellness session for staff members. With its