Aleah Ramouthar: 8-year-old rising star in Mandarin

Loading player...
At just eight years old, Aleah Ramouthar isn't your typical primary school learner. With a spark for adventure and a love for Chinese culture, she's diving headfirst into the world of Mandarin. Guided by her enthusiastic teacher, Vivian Zeng, Ramouthar has already started making waves on the Mandarin language scene.

Ramouthar's journey began when she was introduced to Mandarin at her school's extramural course, led by Zeng. What makes Ramouthar stand out is her exceptional talent in picking up the language quickly. Zeng recalls, "Aleah is one of my star students. She memorised a Chinese song in just one week!" It's this eagerness to learn and excel that sets Ramouthar apart.

Despite having only started learning Mandarin in February, Ramouthar participated in the Chinese Bridge competition in Cape Town this June. With just three and a half months of preparation, she clinched second place. Sporting a traditional Chinese outfit, meeting new people and being celebrated for her efforts, Ramouthar found the entire experience exhilarating.

She’s not stopping there. Ramouthar is already gearing up for next year's competition, aiming for that coveted first-place spot. Zeng, equally excited, says, "If Aleah wins first place, she gets a chance to go to China with one of her parents and compete in the World Chinese Bridge competition for her age group."

Ramouthar's dedication and passion for learning Mandarin are truly inspirational. With Zeng's expert guidance and her own hard work, the sky is the limit for this young prodigy. Who knows? We might soon see Ramouthar shining on an even bigger stage, bridging cultures and bringing people together.

"I want to take my mom and dad to China, meet the pandas and eat Chinese food," she says.
11 Jul 2025 English South Africa Society & Culture · Personal Journals

Other recent episodes

Violence in KZN schools: Whose fault is it and how do we fix it?

Stacey and J Sbu discussed a deeply concerning pattern of school violence in KwaZulu-Natal, after two separate incidents unfolded on the same Friday - a Grade 10 learner stabbed by two junior pupils outside school gates and a mass brawl in Northdale. With over 2 300 cases of violence, drug…
1 Jun 15 min

Parents Hotline: The lines you've carried down to your kids

Stacey and J Sbu asked KwaZulu-Natal parents about the classic lines passed down through generations. From "Do you want something to cry about?" to the legendary "I wish you knew your school work like you that know song". Listeners shared the phrases they grew up dreading and some they've already…
27 May 5 min

UB40's Ali Campbell sits down with Stacey and J Sbu

Ahead of UB40's Durban performance, icon and legend Ali Campbell joined Stacey and J Sbu for a conversation about his career and so much more. Stacey had an intense fan girl moment while J Sbu got into the nitty gritty of Ali's career and what he hopes to be remembered…
27 May 6 min

Eldest child syndrome: Is it real or are they just being dramatic?

Stacey and J Sbu unpacked Eldest Child Syndrome - the idea that firstborns carry more anxiety, responsibility and emotional weight simply because of birth order. They debated whether eldest kids earned their struggles or whether younger siblings had it just as hard. Listeners Masindi, Stefan and Sri weighed in, with…
26 May 13 min

When did you last say a real, intentional no?

We all know the polite get-out: "Oh, I can't make it" when really, you just didn't want to go. But when did you last say a genuine, intentional no? A no that cost you something. A no that you truly meant. Stacey opened up this conversation and listeners did not…
25 May 6 min