On December 12, in a gesture of goodwill and solidarity, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, His Excellency Wu Peng, visited Kgomo-Kgomo Village in the North West province, bringing with him 1,000 food parcels and 500 solar panels. This initiative, which was carried out in collaboration with South Africa’s Department of Social Development, local leadership, and dignitaries such as Minister Sisisi Tolashe and North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, aims to support vulnerable families in the region. The visit, timed to coincide with the festive season, reflects the deepening relationship between China and South Africa, with the hope of providing tangible aid to communities in need.
Ambassador Wu Peng expressed his heartfelt wishes to the community, noting that the food parcels and solar panels were a gesture of goodwill to help the villagers celebrate the upcoming holidays. “As Christmas and New Year approach, we hope these small gifts can bring happiness and peace to your homes,” he said. The donation was a part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, which have entered what is now described as a “Golden Era” of cooperation under the leadership of Presidents Xi Jinping and Cyril Ramaphosa. This era is marked by increasingly close ties, underscored by people-centered initiatives aimed at improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
The event also highlighted the ongoing collaboration between China and South Africa in areas such as poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Ambassador Wu noted that the two countries have long worked together on initiatives aimed at reducing poverty in South Africa, particularly in rural areas. China’s support has taken the form of material aid, infrastructure projects, and training programs, all designed to foster social and economic development. In particular, the Poverty Alleviation Model Village project, currently underway in Kgomo-Kgomo, serves as a significant example of how the two nations are working together to implement sustainable solutions for rural poverty.
In his speech, the ambassador drew parallels between China’s own experience with poverty alleviation and South Africa’s challenges. He reflected on China’s rise from one of the world’s poorest nations in 1949, when 87% of the population lived in extreme poverty, to becoming the world leader in poverty reduction. Over the past 70 years, China has lifted nearly 800 million rural residents out of poverty, a feat that accounts for more than 70% of the global reduction in poverty during this period. Ambassador Wu emphasized that poverty is not inevitable, but something that can be overcome through hard work, determination, and policies tailored to local conditions.
The donation of solar panels to Kgomo-Kgomo Village is a key part of the long-term efforts to empower the community with sustainable energy solutions. This initiative not only addresses immediate energy needs but also promotes the use of renewable energy, a critical component of future development. In his address, the ambassador called for further collaboration between China, South Africa, and the local community, urging them to unite in the fight against poverty and to work together towards a shared vision of prosperity. “Let us blow the ‘assembly call’ for common development and create a beautiful tomorrow with no poverty, no hunger,” he stated, underscoring the importance of collective action for lasting change.
The event concluded with the distribution of food parcels to local families, ensuring that many in Kgomo-Kgomo could celebrate the festive season with dignity. The solar panels, which will provide much-needed energy to households, serve as a sustainable investment in the village’s future. As the ambassador delivered his holiday wishes, it was clear that the donation was not merely an act of charity, but a symbol of the enduring partnership between China and South Africa. Through this collaboration, both nations are demonstrating how international cooperation can create meaningful, lasting change in the lives of people at the grassroots level, working together to address shared challenges and build a brighter future for all.
