On October 11th, Lebaka Keitumetse Perseverance, director of CathsSETA of the Republic of South Africa, along with Mpye Portia Lebogang and Malema Vivian Innotantia, visited Suzhou Vocational university, and they were warmly received by president Cao Yumin and vice president Zhang Jian.
Cao Yumin briefly introduced SVU and its achievements in international education in recent years. He pointed out that SVU is currently cooperating with MerSETA and the first 40 students had completed their studies and returned to South Africa. He said that SVU welcomes and supports the cooperation with CathsSETA and hopes that the students selected by the department will complete their studies in China successfully, promote friendship between China and South Africa, and serve the economic development and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Lebaka thanked SVU for its efforts to carry out the creative art design project. She believed that students would seize this learning opportunity, study hard and master creative art design skills so that they can be better employed and promote cultural and tourism exchanges between South Africa and China. She urged the students to abide by the laws of China and the rules and regulations of SVU because their performance in China represented the national image of South Africa. Finally, she hoped that students could overcome all kinds of difficulties including cultural shock and adapt to their study and life in China quickly with the help of SVU.

On October 13, accompanied by Zhang Jian, the delegation visited the School of Fine Arts, and went to several practical training classrooms, such as arts and crafts, visual communication design and fashion design. During the visit, Zhang Jian emphasized the significance of the project, and said that the School of Fine Arts would make their efforts in this project and build a bond for the cultural exchanges. He hoped that South African students could adapt to campus life and study as soon as possible and wished them good luck in everything.

Mpye Portia Lebogang pointed out that this is a good opportunity for all students to lay eyes on different things like the infrastructure of China, and she encouraged all to learn, try and explore new things. Malema Vivian Innotantia urged the students to work hard, be committed and bring something that will change not only the students themselves but also the country and its graphics, art and communication as a whole. David Monyamane, on behalf of all students, hoped all his classmates to connect the energy of positivity and “can-do” attitude, and try by all means to grab as much as they can in this program.

During their visit, the delegation also visited Wu Culture Park and spoke highly of the long history and culture of Suzhou, the beautiful environment and exquisite exhibits in the park.