Indonesian language increasingly popular, KJRI Cape Town opens BIPA class

The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Cape Town, South Africa, used the occasion of the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence to introduce the Indonesian language to foreign speakers.

Citing an official statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, KJRI Cape Town opened the ninth batch of its online Bahasa Indonesia for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) class following the flag ceremony on Monday (17/8).

Since it was first held, the programme has attracted interest not only from foreign speakers in South Africa, but also from various other countries such as the United States, Ghana, Peru, Pakistan, Namibia, Uganda, Vietnam, Madagascar, India, Nigeria, Botswana, Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Gambia, Russia, and Mozambique.

The cross-border reach of participants demonstrates the growing international interest in Indonesian language and culture. Through the language class, participants not only learn vocabulary and grammar, but also become acquainted with Indonesia’s cultural diversity, history, traditions, and the daily life of its people.

In addition to classes for foreign nationals, KJRI Cape Town also opened a special class for children of Indonesian citizens holding dual nationality to maintain their connection with Indonesia while fostering a sense of pride in the culture of their parents’ country of origin.

KJRI Cape Town also organised various competitions to enliven the 81st Indonesian Independence Day celebrations, including bowling, badminton, and table tennis tournaments. There were also poetry reading, colouring, cracker eating, sarong relay, marble race, and tug-of-war competitions.

Thus, the series of 81st Independence Day commemorations in Cape Town served not only as a celebration of independence, but also as a moment to nurture the unity of the Indonesian community, introduce Indonesian language and culture to the world, and revive the historical relationship between Indonesia and South Africa.

Through the spirit of togetherness built in every activity, KJRI Cape Town invited all Indonesian citizens in South Africa to continue maintaining harmony, strengthening solidarity, and contributing to the nation’s progress.