Analysis, Economy, Politics1 Comment

Guangzhou “The Chocolate City”

from Africa...

-Sihle Isipho Nontshokweni

There are two ways for a man to travel a city. With the locals, or as a tourist. The latter route usually follows a travel guide with a list of top 10 things to do in Guangzhou.

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At the top of Canton tower: Guangzhou (tourist route)

October 2015,  alongside the South African delegation group that was visiting China, we tried the tourist route. To unpack the history of the province we started off at the Guandong Museum, second on our list was the pen-shaped canton tower, also renowned for being the third highest tower in the world. We then admired captivating views of the city skyline, traversing on the Pearl River night cruise (I highly recommend this cruise).

When we first arrived our bus drove through Yuexiu district.

My eyes thundered open as I observed the “chocolateness” of this area and city.

© scmp.com
© scmp.com

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Analysis, Development, Politics1 Comment

Observations on China in Africa: A Three Part Series

from Africa...

 – Wadeisor Rukato

Part 2: A brief history of international migration from China since the formation of the PRC

In the first post of this three-part series, I wrote about the diverse interactions between China and Africa that I observed during recent trips to Kenya and Zimbabwe. In this post, I provide a brief history of Chinese Migration to African countries since the formation of the People’s Republic of China. The third and final post in this series will focus on providing a typology of Chinese migrants to Africa. Continue reading “Observations on China in Africa: A Three Part Series”

Analysis, Diplomacy, Politics2 Comments

The China-Africa Guanxi

from Africa...

– Thuthukile Mbanjwa

The Chinese involvement on the African continent has become a topic of discussion around the globe. China has become Africa’s number one trading partner with trade volume between them increasing exponentially over the past few years, from about US$10 billion in 2000 to more US$220 billion in 2015 (Sikuka, 2015). In light of this, the Chinese government is determined to expand its investment portfolio across Africa.images (1)

… the relationship between China and Africa is certainly not a new phenomenon…

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Analysis, Development6 Comments

WeChat: Changed my life.

from Africa...

-Sihle Isipho Nontshokweni 

It maybe somewhat difficult to take me seriously when I have a title as exaggerated as “WeChat: changed my life” But I cannot ignore the fact that WeChat is an innovative invention that has–liter-a-aally changed my life.

Whatsapp-Wechat
WeChat versus Whatsapp

Growing up, my greatest social anxiety was: ordering a meal, enjoying a full steak ranch with a drink or two, offering to take the bill and then realizing… Continue reading “WeChat: Changed my life.”

Analysis, Development, Politics4 Comments

Observations on China in Africa: A three part series.

from Africa...

– Wadeisor Rukato

Part 1: Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Harare

This post is the first in a three-part series that reflects on Chinese migration to Africa. This is a slight switch up from our usual reflections on our experiences in China. I begin by sharing my experiences of ‘the interaction between China and Africa’ in my recent visits to Nairobi and Harare. The two posts that follow in this series will respectively focus on Chinese migration to Africa from a historical perspective, and a broad typology of Chinese migrants who have moved to the continent. An analysis of China-Africa relations through the complexities of migration brings a much needed human aspect to the forefront of a dynamic that is too often discussed in terms of billions of dollars and signed agreements.

During the just-ended winter vacation, I took a trip to both Nairobi and Harare. When I left South Africa in August 2015, I had not expected that I would visit home or a country in Africa until I had spent at least one year in China. Having just arrived back in Beijing, I am grateful for my travels back because I was able to practically engage with some of the things I had learned about China’s relations with African countries. Continue reading “Observations on China in Africa: A three part series.”

Arts & CultureLeave a comment

Chinese Africa Bridge Competition

from Africa...

-Luyolo Sijake 

Building Bridges in Beijing

Exhilarating new experiences, remarkable people, personal enrichment, learning, friendship. These are all things that I have experienced in abundance throughout the process of learning the Chinese language which started whilst I was studying in South Africa. I am currently at Peking University, furthering my studies in Chinese. Being in a foreign environment such as Beijing, I find that I am pushed to do things that I generally would not do at home where I am more set in my ways. Opening myself up to all that this place has to offer always brings some form of value to my life, without fail.

Luyolo speaking on South Africa's past.
Luyolo speaking on South Africa’s past.

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Arts & Culture2 Comments

Xi’an Visit Pt.1: Muslim Quarter and Hanyaling Museum

from Africa...

 –Nothando Khumalo In November 2015, our Yenching academy class ventured for a field trip to the beautiful and historic Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province in China. After learning so much about  Chinese history in lectures we finally got a chance to see a significant part of this, rich, well-preserved history. I have written and collected a few reflections from my class members on  the sites we visited. This theme will have a series of reflections, keep on the lookout. MUSLIM QUARTER                   By Jackson Tse Due to its designation as a former Chinese capital, and … Continue reading Xi’an Visit Pt.1: Muslim Quarter and Hanyaling Museum

Identity1 Comment

Counting Stares

from Africa...

–Wadeisor Rukato

I started to write this post on the sixth day after my arrival in Beijing in August 2015. I finished it almost six months later on the 30th of January 2016. I am happy to finally be able to share it.

Today is my 6th day in Beijing, China. I feel as though I have been here for considerably longer. Since my arrival, my days have been filled with everything from trying new food, doing on campus admin, looking for parts for my laptop, getting medicals done for a residence permit, drinking Chinese beer and learning Chinese. The sun has shone relentlessly at a high of least 32 degrees Celsius since my arrival and the days have been divided into those with clear blue skies, and those with a smog induced milky white sky.

Before I left South Africa I received all manner of preparatory and survival advice, tips, secrets and information from friends, family and acquaintances. While some of this advice was considerably insightful, some of it I listened to and dismissed quickly because it seemed loaded with generalisations that I didn’t feel comfortable adopting in the absence of personal experience.

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