On a very hot and sunny Spring day, people came in droves – from all walks of life. The old and the young – men, women and children of all ages included. They gathered in Time Square, also known as “Menlyn centre”, South Africa’s mega entertainment venue in SA’s capital city, Pretoria.
This was the 2026 China-South Africa Mid-Autumn Cultural Exchange Festival. South Africa is increasingly getting to learn a lot more about Chinese people and their culture, thanks to consistent efforts by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in SA.
The event harmoniously blended traditional Chinese Moon Festival culture and vibrant SA culture. From attractive stage performances to heritage displays, delicious food, and the presence of leading Chinese enterprises in SA, the festivities were teeming with energy, joy and flavour.
Of greater significance, the 2026 version of the festival took place in the year marking “the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges”. September, the month in which the festival took place over a two-day period – from 26-27th – is also celebrated in SA as “heritage month”.
The festival also took place on the eve of the grand annual celebrations of the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The Embassy’s pointed cooperation with the SA government and a myriad of strategic stakeholders means that more and more South Africans are increasingly becoming exposed to Chinese way of life. In return, Chinese people living in SA are also learning a lot of local cultures, traditions, languages and general ways of life.
The Mid-Autumn Festival proved to be a wonderful example of people-to-people diplomacy. During his State visit to SA in August 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping upgraded bilateral relations between Beijing and Pretoria to a special status of no-limits.
The festival also took place amid an atmosphere is deepening socio-economic ties between the two nations. Over the past 16 consecutive years, China has been SA’s biggest trading partner like no other throughout the world. Chinese foreign Ministry has oftentimes espoused the notion of a “shared future” based on mutual development and cooperation with SA. The benefits are manifesting themselves in many different ways, including education and cultural exchange programs. The festival was yet another example of bilateral cooperation through entertainment. For children and adults alike, one could describe the festival as cultural education through entertainment.
The festival attracted many people in particular due to the location. Menlyn centre attracts scores of visitors on a daily basis. In an open section of Menlyn centre, a giant make-shift stage hosted Chinese and South African performers, including cultural music groups who sang and danced in full view of invited guests and passersby alike. It was a sight to behold.
Mr Qin Zhanpeng, Charge d’Affair of the Chinese embassy in SA, took to the stage and was quick to offer his congratulatory remarks on what he called “The 2026 Moon Festival China-South Africa Culture Exchange”.
Apart from the Chinese Embassy in SA, other organizers included the Huaxing Arts Group of Johannesburg, Time Square Pretoria and the China-SA Youth Federation.
The Chinese people in SA, led by the dedicated and committed of the Chinese embassy in SA to foster closer multi-faceted cooperation and collaboration with South Africans, achieved a great deal in open public education in working together and learning from one another. Quite evidently, both the Chinese people and South Africans learned from each other great lessons in the art of unity in diversity.
Mr Qin explained from the podium, where he was warmly applauded: “This festival honours our common heritages while embracing modern vitality, showcasing the achievements of Chinese modernization and its connection with the South African people.”
He further described Moon Festival as a “festival of family union, harvest and joy”.
Mr Qin further said about the embassy’s mission: “We will continue to support such meaningful initiatives to strengthen the bond of friendship between China and South Africa.”
SA’s National Heritage Council was represented by its top official in Mr Sepheu Masemola. He echoed Mr Qin’s sentiments about growing collaboration between the two countries. “We are now under one Moon together, Chinese and South Africans,” Mr Masemola said.
Mr Michael Andisile Mayalo, who is General Secretary of China-SA Youth Federation, appealed for increased youth participation in fostering closer ties between China and SA.
And Mr Bryan O’Connr, General Manager of Time Square Casino – on whose grounds the festival was held, offered his continued support in future events.
One of the members of the public who seemed to enjoy herself was Ms Jabulile Skosana. She said: “I was just visiting Time Square for leisure when I noticed the festival going on. I saw lot of Chinese people mingling freely and happily with the locals and wondered what this wonderful atmosphere was all about,” she said, before adding: “Oh it was such a great and noble initiative to bring people of different backgrounds together to learn from each other. China is a world leader in many things, and it good that our country has closer diplomatic relations with China.”
