Niël Terblanché
Namibia and China celebrated their enduring friendship with the unveiling of a memorial statue of Chairman Mao Zedong in Windhoek on Wednesday.
The statue is at the Mao Zedong High School in Otjomuise, named after the founder of the People’s Republic of China, and stands as a symbol of the long-standing support and cooperation between the two nations, dating back to Namibia’s liberation struggle.
During the ceremony, Namibia’s ambassador to China, Elia Kaiyamo, stressed the historical and diplomatic significance of the occasion.
The school, constructed in 2016 with funding from the People’s Republic of China, now serves more than 700 learners and employs 26 teachers.
Ambassador Kaiyamo, in his speech read on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister, John Mutorwa, reiterated the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations, which began in the 1960s when China provided crucial support to Namibia during its struggle for independence.
He added that on 22 March 1990, the day after Namibia’s independence, China became the first nation to establish diplomatic relations with Namibia, solidifying this relationship.
The Chairman Mao Zedong High School is a demonstration of the fruitful partnership between Namibia and China.
The school boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a stadium, a tartan track, and a large library equipped with computers.
Additionally, it offers a range of extracurricular activities such as netball, soccer, basketball, and a renowned choir.
The school also features three science laboratories, a computer laboratory, and 23 classrooms, all outfitted with modern educational technology.
The Chinese Embassy has played a significant role in maintaining the school and sponsoring scholarships for the top ten performers each year.
According to Ambassador Kaiyamo, this support reiterates China’s commitment to enhancing Namibia’s educational infrastructure and fostering a sustainable development framework.
Ambassador Kaiyamo also stressed the extensive cooperation between Namibia and China, which extends beyond education to encompass politics, economy, trade, culture, infrastructure development, science and technology, public health, and information exchanges.
“This collaboration has led to significant achievements, including the construction of four rural schools in Namibia, funded by a Chinese grant of N$343 million,” he said.
The Namibian government will receive the new educational facilities, which include hostels, teachers’ houses, dining halls, classrooms, and sports facilities, in August 2024.
“These initiatives reflect the ongoing efforts to improve educational access and quality across Namibia, aligning with the African Union’s 2024 Year of Education theme,” he said.
Ambassador Kaiyamo, in the spirit of continued partnership, urged the Chinese government to bring technological development to Namibia through a skill transfer program.
He also called on the National Heritage Council of Namibia to recognise the Chairman Mao Zedong statue as a symbol of Namibian and Chinese heritage.
According to Kaiyamo, the statue serves as a reminder of the shared values and historical ties that bind the two nations.
“It represents a commitment to preserving cultural heritage and fostering economic and social benefits through tourism, traditional events, and local art,” he said.
He said that the statue’s erection is a clear demonstration of the successful partnership that has benefited Namibia’s educational sector.
Joseph Diescho, a political analyst, criticised the leaders for erecting a full-size statue of the communist leader in the country.
According to Diescho, it is not right.
“….does not look, does not sound, does not smell, does not taste and does not feel right. One wonders where and by whom such a decision was made. We can say with confidence that it could not have been made by a group of Namibians in a room, discussing how to beg China to bring the imposing Mao to stand on sovereign Namibian soil in defence of and for the protection of independent Namibia’s national interests,” he said.
Diescho questioned what cultural interest the statue on the grounds of a Namibian school has.
“Afrikan gods must be getting angrier and angrier,” he said.
