Some Namibians have anti-Chinese attitude – Geingob

PRESIDENT Hage Geingob says the country’s doors are open for Chinese business – despite some Namibians’ opposition.

Geingob on Friday met with the administrator of China’s National Energy Administration, Jianhua Zhang, and Chinese ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping.

“There are some people, Namibians, who have developed an anti-Chinese attitude, and I’m picking up on small things. Therefore, it is good for us at this level to consult,” Geingob said.

Previously, the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) threatened to incite “mass xenophobia” against Chinese nationals if the government continued to perpetuate what the party perceived to be the preferential treatment of businesses from the Asian country.

The party last year held a demonstration to limit Chinese retailers in Namibia, and called out the exploitation of Namibian workers at shopping complexes owned and administered by Chinese citizens.

“Our poor black people are being exploited like animals with low wages, such as N$400, with no benefits and worker privileges,” a demonstrator said at the time.

He called on Chinese employers to provide all workers employed by them with employment contracts.

‘RIGHTS VIOLATIONS’

Some employees of Chinese-owned businesses say they face gross rights violations at the hands of their bosses.

Some claim they are paid as little as N$500 per month, with no benefits or leave days, while N$200 is deducted for taking a sick day.
The president emphasised consultation between the two countries when incidents take place.

“Otherwise, if we don’t consult and something wrong has been done, here we have press and they pick up on any little thing, and it blows up. We don’t want our relationship to be spoiled.

“If there is something, let’s just meet and clear it up,” the president said.

He cited an example of how he previously cleared up issues as a minister.

“When I was the minister of trade, there was a misunderstanding in the north, and I travelled to China and said let’s not make a noise here with the business people. Let’s first report to the leadership.

“I talked to the deputy minister and explained possible misunderstandings that could jeopardise our relationship. I was welcomed and told there are many Namibians who talk about ‘China, China’.

“It is best to deal with it government to government so that we control those people. We know what they are doing,” he said.

ENERGY INTEREST

Zhang’s meeting with Geingob comes as China’s renewable energy projects are struggling to get access to land, while in some areas, the grid cannot absorb all the power generated, the country’s energy authority said, as it called for further policy support for the fast-growing industry.

“So that we can assist Namibia to translate your rich resources to development and advantages,” he said.

Moreover, Zhang called on Chinese companies “that are capable and experienced” to visit Namibia.

“And explore the possibilities of cooperation in areas that are of Namibia’s top priority, like green hydrogen, and oil and gas,” Geingob said.

Similarly, ambassador Weiping expressed interest in Namibia’s green hydrogen development.

“Namibia has some unique advantages that will be a success in delivering this green hydrogen agenda,” he said.

MINING PROCEEDS

The China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) have invested US$4,6 billion (N$81,5 billion) in the Husab and Rössing uranium mines.

Through this the country has contributed US$2,1 billion (N$37,2 billion) to Namibia’s economy.

“China engineering corporations have actively participated in new energy projects in Namibia, contributing to the upgrading of Namibia’s electricity supply,” Zhang said.

GLOBAL POLITICS

Political analyst Rui Tyitende recently said there is currently global geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States (US) as they compete for influence in the global south.

“Both are attempting to be dominant militarily, economically, technologically and culturally, and to shape the international order to their advantage,” he said.

He reckons that African countries like Namibia should take advantage of this power rivalry and exploit it to its advantage.

“The answer is that they are too preoccupied with travel and subsistence allowances when they meet with these leaders to be thinking about development strategies and tactics on how to deal with great powers,” he said.

Tyitende believes both China and the US have clear ideas and policies on how to deal with Africa, and Africa has no ideas or programmes on how to deal with such powerful actors in the international system.

“The continent’s resources are being exploited and exported in raw form to these powers, and we are left to scramble for the crumbs as they fall from the high table.

“A classical example would be our disastrous 90:10 shareholding structure in favour of multinational corporations that exploit our mineral resources. We are mere spectators in this case, and so is much of the continent,” Tyitende said.