The Royal House of Mandela (RHoM) and the People’s Republic of China, represented by His Excellency The Ambassador Mr Lin Songtian, have launched a development partnership. This initiative recognizes the efforts of the People’s Republic of China to develop Mvezo as one of four rural areas identified for development and cooperation between the two friendly nations of China and South Africa.

On Sunday Mvezo Komkhulu had the pleasure of receiving a delegation from led by Ambassador Lin Songtian, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa. Ambassador Songtian was accompanied by a delegation of local Chinese businessmen from the Eastern Cape.

Ambassador Lin donated 44 computers. Of these, 22 computers will be used for purposes of service delivery work by Mvezo Traditional Council to its community and to promote accessibility and computer literacy as an important stepping stone in the community’s development.

Amongst the two schools in Mvezo,
Makgatho Lewanika Mandela Primary school will be a beneficiary of 10 computers for its library usage. Also, Mandela School of Science and Technology will benefit from the back-to-school campaign initiative where learners will receive the essential school material.

The Chief of Mvezo, Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, was elated to receive the donations on behalf of his subjects. “This advances the ANC government’s recognition of education as an apex priority and essential for overcoming the rural urban development divide. It also gives expression to Madiba’s philosophy that education is the weapon we can use to change the world”, said Chief Mandla.

Ambassador Lin not only committed his government’s commitment to work closely with the Royal House of Mandela and Mvezo Traditional Council but also to help grow the commercial potential of Mvezo village in exporting some of the locally produced items like aloe and meat products.

Our relationship will further help expose the potential of our rural economy to international markets such as agriculture, education as well as e-commerce.

In addition to the computers, all learners of the Makgatho Lewanika Mandela Primary School as well as all learners from the Mandela School of Science & Technology will receive school bags and stationery sets so that they may be well prepared for the 2019 academic year.