The embassy of China in South Africa has brought early Christmas cheer to thousands of villagers in North West with a delivery of truckloads of groceries and solar electronics ahead of the festive season celebration.
The village of Kgomo-Kgomo in North West was adopted several years ago by the Chinese embassy as part of the diplomatic mission’s Poverty Alleviation Model Village project.
Successive ambassadors have toured the impoverished village to deliver supplies of food and electronic goods to assist the community members, particularly the elderly and the disabled.
Apart from the tonnes of food hampers, on Thursday, a delegation led by Ambassador of China to South Africa, Wu Peng and Chinese businesses operating in South Africa delivered power batteries to assist the community.
The Chinese delegation was welcomed by senior officials including Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe; North West MEC for Social Development, Basetsana Sussana Dantjie; Executive Mayor of the Moretele Local Municipality, Masango George Manyika and King of the Bakgatla ba Mosetlha, Kgosi Nchaupe III Makapan.
“I was posted to South Africa this past June. And even before coming here, I have been closely following Kgomo-Kgomo Village, and the Poverty Alleviation Model Village project when I was still working in China. I have been looking forward to seeing everyone for a long time,” said the Chinese ambassador.
“Today, I am honored to be here with Minister Tolashe for the donation ceremony. This is my first time to visit Kgomo-Kgomo Village. As soon as I arrived, I was deeply moved by the warmth and friendship of villagers. It definitely feels like I am home.”
Wu said in recent years, under the joint leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Ramaphosa, the China-South Africa "comrades plus brothers" special bond is getting stronger.
“Poverty reduction cooperation has always been an important part of China-South Africa practical cooperation. Right now, we are working hard to help South Africa implement the Poverty Alleviation Model Village project. It is a practical way to implement the important consensus reached by our two presidents,” he said.
“Eliminating poverty has been a common pursuit of mankind for thousands of years. When the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, we have one of the highest poverty rate in the world. The rural population accounted for 87% of the total population, and they were mostly in extreme poverty,” said Wu.
After more than 70 years of efforts, China lifted nearly 800 million rural people out of poverty, which accounts for over 70% of the global reduction during that period.
“While achieving its own poverty alleviation, China has always adhered to the spirit of international humanitarianism, and actively participated in global poverty reduction efforts. At the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Xi announced Ten Partnership Action Plans. China is ready to leverage these actions together with Africa to better achieve modernization in the next three years,” said Wu.
“We are ready to provide financial support, to make sure the development achievements can better benefit the people of China and Africa. Right now, the Chinese side is actively discussing with the South African government, about how to deliver more livelihood projects in Kgomo-Kgomo Village that will truly benefit all the villagers, for example, building roads, clinics and schools, and improving electricity and water supply infrastructures, etc.”
Representing the South African government, Minister Tolashe said it was “a great honour” for he to officiate at the ceremony bringing poverty alleviation interventions.
“As government of South Africa, we are grateful to the government of People’s Republic of China for their commitment to partner with us in piloting the Poverty Alleviation Model in Moretele Local Municipality. This is an old relationship as we are both nations coming from the school of thought of chairman Mao Tse Tung and former president Nelson Mandela, where both leaders were committed to put people first and their basic needs,” she said.
“Your Excellency, Ambassador Wu Peng please convey the gratitude of our government and the people of South Africa, especially the people of Moretele Local Municipality. I commit to work with you, Your Excellency, to strengthen the relations of our government and your government as we roll out these kinds of projects and other related engagements throughout the country.
“We appreciate the ongoing commitment by your nation led by President Xi Jinping and further taking our people out of poverty in many different ways in our country,” said Tolashe.
The minister said the hand-over ceremony on Thursday was a precursor to the full implementation of the Poverty Alleviation Model which will be implemented in the municipality.
“This Poverty Alleviation Model does not only cement the partnership between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China. It presents a huge potential and opportunity to improve the livelihoods of the people of Moretele Local Municipality,” she said.
To the traditional leadership in the province and in this municipality, let us all ensure that the project becomes a success. This will elevate the name of the district and the village to the rest of the country and the world at large as we monitor the success of this project with the goal of replicating it to other provinces and villages.”
King of the Bakgatla ba Mosetlha, Kgosi Nchaupe III requested the Chinese ambassador to construct a school and a hospital in his area, which he said has to travel long distances to get vital medical care.
The traditional leader and Mayor Manyika also heaped praises on the Chinese ambassador for the spearheading the poverty alleviation drive, which was previously spearheaded by his predecessors.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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