Jiangsu province (China) is the largest province in terms of number of accredited universities, historic and cultural cities, with its capital city Nanjing as the ancient capital for six dynasties in China.
Well-known for its rapid and impressive socio-economic development in China, Jiangsu can boast as the pioneering province with respect to overseas investment, entrepreneurship and collaboration.
People from Jiangsu landed in Namibia in the early 1990s. Participation from Jiangsu in Namibia’s socio-economic development ranges from construction to education, manufacturing, real estate, border trade and philanthropy. For decades Unam has received its first support from Chinese lecturers from a famous university in Jiangsu. The writer was among the key stakeholders to have established the China–Namibia Study Center at Unam and was the first mandarin lecturer therein.
Chinese construction companies have a reputation among employers for being good quality, speedy and cost efficient. Namibian architects and engineers at large have never reserved to compliment Chinese construction companies for their marvelous deeds. Famous projects executed by construction companies from Jiangsu include SME Bank by Ming Tong Construction, the Windhoek Observer’s offices and Bougain Villeas by NA Construction, Military Museum Okahandja by Jiangsu Zhang Tai, and Northern Railway Extension by China Jiangsu, among others. These construction companies have employed more than 4 000 Namibians with hundreds being trained as skilled workers.
Manufacturing is what Namibians regard as preferential investments. People from Jiangsu kick-started their investments to the satisfaction of government strategies.
Around 30 manufacturing enterprises have been operating in Namibia, mainly in the north. Some are manufacturing blankets and quilts. Some are the manufacturers of building materials, such as roof sheets, aluminum doors and windows.
Manufacturing investment is increasingly a trend among the people from Jiangsu and the Chinese business people at large. Among the manufacturers from Jiangsu, the biggest ones in scale are Namibia Roof Tiles Manufacturing located in Oshikango, HC Building Materials Manufacturing based in Outapi manufacturing colored corrugated roof sheets and related items and Nami Prefabricated Housing based in Windhoek. This company is the biggest manufacturer of prefabricated materials in Namibia. In addition to hundreds of jobs created for the locals, these manufacturers have reduced high prices of related materials to the benefit of Namibian customers.
China Town is a well-known term for Chinese goods across the world. China Towns in Namibia has assisted thousands and thousands of Namibians who cannot afford luxurious and expensive clothes, household appliances and other daily necessities.
The number of Namibians shopping in China Towns daily stands at thousands. Business people in China Town in Oshikango have changed the town into a prosperous border trade hub boosting Namibian border trade to a new high. With a huge number of Namibians employed in China Towns, China Towns are really big role players in Namibian socio-economic development. Former President Pohamba has complimented the town’s growth and commended the Asians for their contributions.
One more company which needs extra highlighting with respect to contribution to Namibians’ wellbeing is Sun International Group. Jack Huang Yue-quan, the owner of the group is from Nantong Jiangsu, a sisterly town of Helao Nafidi.
Sun Group has invested and constructed several commercial buildings including Freedom Square, Dragon City, China Town, Sun Square Hotel in Oshikango and Ondangwa Sun Square Mall. The business operations from these commercial buildings are the big drivers of employment. Hundreds and hundreds of Namibians have been employed and many local dealers and individuals have been the beneficiaries of the Chinese business therein.
Business people from Jiangsu have witnessed Namibians’ hospitality, friendship and business support. Deeply rooted in the culture of reciprocity and charity, people from Jiangsu have made generous donations to Namibian individuals and government, giving helping hands to the most vulnerable segment of Namibians and other marginalized groups.
Jack Huang is the representative of the Chinese philanthropic community. He is the sponsor of Namibia-Chinese Loving Heart Organisation, being established as a non-profitable institution. The establishment of this organsation is in line with the spirit of Chinese philanthropic culture and tradition. As the coordinator and secretary of this organisation, I have witnessed millions and millions of Namibian dollars and goods being donated to the most vulnerable people in Namibia.
From 2010 this organisation started offering scholarships for 30 Namibians to go and study medicine at Nantong University in Jiangsu. The scholarships cost the organisation around N$15 million.
Contributions made from people of Jiangsu to Namibia’s socio-economic development form an important part of the good relationship China and Namibia has long enjoyed. It is believed that people from Jiangsu, together with other Chinese communities present in Namibia will build the beloved Namibian nation into a prosperous, peaceful and stable nation.