The embassy of China in South Africa has brought early Christmas cheer to thousands of villagers in the North West province with a delivery of truckloads of groceries and solar electronics ahead of the festive season celebration.
The village of Kgomo-Kgomo in the 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.
A delegation led by Ambassador of China to South Africa, Wu Peng and Chinese businesses operating in South Africa also 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.
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.
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.
Tolashe said it was “a great honour” for her to officiate at the ceremony bringing poverty alleviation interventions.
She expressed gratitude to the government of the People's Republic of China for their commitment to partner with South Africa in piloting the poverty alleviation model in Moretele.
She said the model does not only cement the partnership between South Africa and China, but also presents a huge potential and opportunity to improve the livelihoods of Moretele residents.
King of the Bakgatla ba Mosetlha, Kgosi Nchaupe III requested the Chinese ambassador to construct a school and a hospital in his area.
The traditional leader and Mayor Manyika also heaped praises on the Chinese ambassador for spearheading the poverty alleviation drive, which was previously spearheaded by his predecessors.
Pretoria News
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