MEC Matome Chiloane: 'China won't wake up one day and say we are treating people badly'

Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Matome Chiloane has saluted the People’s Republic of China for the consistent friendship and massive investment in South Africa over the years.

Chiloane represented the Gauteng provincial government at the bustling Derrick Avenue in Cyrildene, Johannesburg, which was a hive of massive activities over the weekend as the China Town Johannesburg Community hosted a loud and high-spirited Chinese New Year ceremony to usher in 2025 on the Lunar calendar.

Large crowds waving Chinese and South African flags descended on the street extravaganza, which was also attended by senior officials including Ambassador of China to South Africa, Wu Peng, Consul General of China in Joburg, Pan Qingjiang; member of Gauteng Legislature, Michael Sun; chairperson of Gauteng Community Policing Forum (CPF) board, Thokozani Jacob Masilela, and station commander of SAPS Cleveland, Colonel Moses Lekalakala.

This year, the mega celebrations for the Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival began on January 29. The year 2025 is dedicated as the Year of the Snake, according to the Chinese zodiac which contains 12 animal symbols, in order: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

Each character represents a different year in the repeating 12-year sequence.

Major celebrations are underway in China and across different parts of the world. The festivities will continue for 15 days, culminating in the highly anticipated Lantern Festival - called Yuan Xiao Jie on February 12.

Commonly referred to as China Town, the entrance to Cyrildene’s main street, Derrick Avenue, is popular for Chinese restaurants and supermarkets, tea shops, acupuncturists, massage parlours and electronics stores.

The celebrations were punctuated by loud fireworks, cuisine, fashion, cultural performances by South African and Chinese groups and remarks delivered by South African and Chinese representatives.

Addressing the jubilant crowd, Chiloane said the cooperation with China did not come with interference in local issues in South Africa.

“China has respected our sovereignty as a country. It doesn’t wake up one morning and say people are being treated badly. Where? Where?

“They have made a u-turn and say we do not want to go and be refugees in America but it is said we are treating them badly. Chinese leadership, we appreciate that. Our bond is lifelong. We are carrying on, and we build on primary interests. It is a relationship based on true, genuine brotherhood of both nations,” said Chiloane.

The senior African National Congress leader in Gauteng was referring to recent political developments between the United States and South Africa.

IOL reported last week that leaders of the Afrikaner community, including farmers, have flatly rejected American President Donald Trump’s call for their members who are aggrieved with South African government policies to move to his country on refugee status. 

International society woke up to shocking news that Trump has acted on his threats to punish South Africa for what he called, “South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people (Afrikaners) VERY BADLY”.

Trump had on Friday signed an executive order, which stated his country would promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination, including racially discriminatory property confiscation.

In his keynote address, Ambassador of China to South Africa, Wu Peng expressed deep gratitude to the government and people of South Africa for hosting and living in harmony with numerous Chinese citizens who now call South Africa their home.

“I actually want to say, our Chinese community in South Africa has been here for many, many decades. They enjoy their stay in South Africa. I would like to represent our Embassy in South Africa to say thank you to the people and government of South Africa. Thank you for accepting us, supporting us, assisting and and to welcome our Chinese community working and living in this lovely country,” the Chinese ambassador said to applause from the attendees.

“That is why South Africa is called the rainbow nation. All nations, tribes are very peaceful, co-exist together. You, as South Africa set a great example to the world.”

The veteran diplomat said anyone who has carefully studied the history of South Africa must be in a position to appreciate how the nation has moved from a painful past, and is trying to address the injustices perpetuated in the dark past.

“Everyone in the world must support South African people to achieve a compromise after the apartheid governance,” said Wu.

He said the Chinese people based in South Africa are greatly encouraged to give back to South African communities, and to play a leading role in community social responsibility.

Meanwhile, Sun who is Democratic Alliance spokesperson for community safety in Gauteng also addressed the jubilant gathering, wishing the attendees good health and prosperity in the Year of the Snake.

China has remained Africa's top trading partner for more than 15 consecutive years. Specifically, the bilateral trade volume between China and South Africa reached US$55.6 billion in 2023.

South African exports to China have continued to expand, with beef, citrus, red wine, oysters, rooibos tea and many other products very popular with Chinese consumers.

Chinese enterprises have invested more than $25 billion in South Africa, an increase of more than 100 times compared to the time when diplomatic relations were established, creating more than 400,000 local jobs.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL