07 Jun 2016

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi says the relationship between Botswana and China is based on foundations “so deep, so long and fundamental to be shaken by resolvable issues.”

Dr Venson-Moitoi noted this when receiving household donations from the Chinese Charity Organisation at her constituency office in Serowe on Saturday.The donation valued at P200 000, included winter clothes and blankets. The 100 blankets were from Satar Dada Foundation and the foundation is yet to donate another 100 in two weeks-time.

She said she deliberately insisted on the occurrence to dispel stories circulating about the two countries having strained relationship. The Serowe South MP said the relationship between the two countries came a long way and said it could not be shaken by issues that could be solved.

“No difference is going to be too big to make us fall apart. This relationship will survive,” adding that the two countries are going to continue to resolve their issues over many years.Dr Venson-Moitoi said they have realised that their relationship is important enough for them to keep going strong for the sake of their people.

She expressed gratitude to the Chinese Ambassador Mr Zheng Zhuqiang saying his presence is a statement and assurance to their people that the two countries have not fallen apart.

The MP said the gesture was not the first of its kind, adding that the Chinese community has supported her constituency in the past. She said because of that, they shall remain indebted to them. 

She said her constituency has about 38 000 people and poverty is rife in the area.  She said the community of China has supported the Mabesi Community Trust’s building project, in which they built single rooms for the needy. She said five out of 20 single rooms were donated by Chinese embassy.

The MP said to date they have built 55 of those housing units.“It is a room, but to somebody who had nothing it means a lot. They stay away from rain and the hazards of weather.”

She said they went back to the embassy to ask for more money they used to build 15 pit latrines for some of the single room beneficiaries, to afford them descent ablution. She said the department of Prison and the council joined hands with them on the project.

Dr Venson -Moitoi said the Chinese community who were building the College of Education were looking for a place to do a community service project before leaving Serowe, and they asked them to renovate the historic Serowe dispensary which had been abandoned and dilapidated.

On his remarks, Chinese Ambassador to  Botswana said he was honoured to witness a donation by Southern African Northeast China Chamber of Commerce.Mr Zhuqiang expressed his appreciation to the association for their efforts to support the charity cause in Botswana, and for their valuable contribution to the promotion of people to people friendship between the two countries.

He said the two countries enjoy a profound and long-term friendship, and in the past four decades, the Botswana-China relations have witnessed sustained, rapid and sound development.

Mr Zhuqiang said the fruitful cooperation in various fields has benefited the two nations inhabitants.He said to date the Southern African Northeast China chamber of commerce has donated more than P5 million to support various charity programmes in Botswana. The ambassador said this is a testimony of the cordial friendship and cooperation enjoyed by the two countries. ENDS