On 15 May, the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) hosted the local round of the 2026 KSI Korean Speaking Contest, bringing together students who shared personal stories and experiences entirely in Korean.

Throughout the competition, participants reflected on their journeys of learning the Korean language, spoke about encounters with Korean culture, and shared how Korean has become part of their everyday lives. Each presentation revealed not only language ability, but also the confidence, individuality, and dedication that the contestants had developed through their studies.

This year’s competition showcased the growing enthusiasm for Korean language education in South Africa and highlighted the role of language as a bridge connecting people across different cultures and backgrounds. The audience was able to experience a wide range of perspectives and stories, all expressed through Korean.

The winners of this year’s local competition were announced as follows:

1st Place – Geralisha Sprout

2nd Place – Itesiwajuayo Hosanna Babalola

3rd Place – Simtandile Sityeb

The first-place winner will be recommended as KCCSA’s representative for the final round of the 2026 King Sejong Institute Korean Speaking Contest in Korea.

The King Sejong Institute is a Korean government-supported global network dedicated to promoting Korean language education and sharing Korean culture around the world.

Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) | 주남아공한국문화원

• Website: https://sa.korean-culture.org/en

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