Zimbabwe To Offer Chinese Language Classes To University Students

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Zimbabwe Plans To Offer Chinese Language Classes To University Students
By Ashenafi Abedje
Washington, DC
26 January 2006


There are plans to introduce Chinese language classes in all of Zimbabwes
universities later this year. Higher Education Minister Stan Mudenge says
this is part of an offensive by President Robert Mugabe to promote his
"look east" policy. But the students are lashing out at the idea, saying
it reflects what they call the "madness of the Mugabe regime scaling new
heights." Critics dismiss Mr. Mugabe's "look east" policy as an empty
political slogan that won't rescue Zimbabwe's collapsed economy.

Education professor Fred Zindi of the University of Zimbabwe told English
to Africa reporter Ashenafi Abedje he maintains a neutral stand on the
political merits or de-merits of the initiative. But he says, Knowledge
for the sake of knowledge is good and useful at some point. Professor
Zindi says China is the fourth largest economic power in the world. For
that reason alone, he says, its worth doing business with a business giant
especially for a country like Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwean educator says his country is not the only one doing
business with China. He points to recent visits to China by former German
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and
President George Bush. Professor Zindi says as interaction with the
Chinese continues, learning the language will become a useful tool. He
says, If the Chinese are going to be an economic superpower, its easier to
do business with them if you can speak their language.

http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2006-01-26-voa60.cfm