By Rangarirai Joseph Dumbuka
In the great storybook of international diplomacy, there are friendships that are formal, others that are fleeting—and then there are those that are deeply rooted, time-tested, and transformative. The friendship between China and Zimbabwe falls into this rare and exceptional category. As the two nations mark 45 years of diplomatic relations, I find myself not only as a witness to the fruits of this partnership but also as a proud participant in one of its greatest modern chapters.
My professional career has been decorated, enhanced and established by working on one of the initiatives of the Zimbabwe-Sino friendship. It started as a mechanical project engineer, then working for Zimbabwe Power Company where I worked hand in glove with the Chinese Engineers on the design, construction and commissioning of the new two generating units at Hwange, later on to cross over to joining POWERCHINA in 2022 as a Boiler Maintenance Engineer, entering a dynamic environment where engineering prowess, culture, and international collaboration all come together as we are operating and maintaining the plant, a home of knowledge sharing between Zimbabwean and their Chinese counterparts.
On the Hwange Thermal Power Station Expansion Project, China's largest investment in Zimbabwe to date and Zimbabwe's largest infrastructure project since independence, I had the honor of collaborating closely with Chinese specialists, what an honor it was for a boy who rose from rural Gutu where subsistence farming is the major economic activity to contribute to such a massive infrastructure undertaking, indeed it was life changing. My perspective on national development, international cooperation, and the actual meaning of international friendship has been altered by the experience. I am a witness and beneficiary to the massive benefits of the friendship between China and Zimbabwe.
From Comradeship to Comprehensive Cooperation
The friendship between China and Zimbabwe is not new; it was established during the crucible of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle, when China offered vital military and political assistance. However, what started out as liberation movement solidarity has developed into an all-weather China-Zimbabwe community with a shared future that spans education, culture, energy, infrastructure, health, and agriculture. Even in the face of international uncertainty, this evolution has been consistent, forward-thinking, and incredibly resilient.
In addition to agreements, the two nations have shared ideas, knowledge, and aspirations over the last forty-five years. Zimbabwe's own development vision has been greatly impacted by China's development model, which is based on long-term planning, significant infrastructure investment, and people-centered growth. In Zimbabwe, initiatives like the New Parliament Building, the renovation of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, medical supply donations, agricultural training facilities, and university scholarships have changed lives and changed communities.
However, no project better captures the scope, complexity, and significance of this friendship than the Hwange Expansion Project, to which I have had the great privilege of contributing.
My Experience: Bridging Power, People, and Purpose
As a mechanical project engineer, then working for Zimbabwe Power Company, I had the responsibility of overseeing the design, installation, and commissioning of several mechanical systems at Hwange that were essential to the operation of the plant. Every part I worked on, from thermal systems and coal pulverizing systems to high-pressure equipment, quality and environmental controls, was a piece of a bigger puzzle that would add 600 megawatts of electricity to Zimbabwe's grid, sustaining homes, businesses, and the country's economic recovery. And we were successful, what a moment in my life, what a milestone in my career, what a moment in the history of our country and a proof of the great impact the 45 years of cooperation had on our economy and the people of Zimbabwe. The commissioning of Hwange Units 7 and 8 was a national triumph. It marked a turning point in Zimbabwe’s energy journey, reducing our dependence on imports and ensuring a more stable power supply. It was not just a project—it was a powerful symbol of what China-Zimbabwe cooperation can achieve when anchored in trust and long-term commitment.
I am one of many Zimbabwean engineers who are interested in driving development through technological advancement and large infrastructure development such as large-scale power systems but had limited global exposure prior to joining POWERCHINA, but the contact I had with the Chinese changed my life as I had exposure to innovative international techniques. I visited China in 2023 for intensive training in power plant operations and maintenance, a fit only possible because of the professional exchange programs organized by our Chinese counterparts. There, I had a cultural and professional awakening in addition to technical knowledge and a sense of patriotism was reawakened, I realized I could do for my country borrowing from the deep Chinese system.
I was inspired by China's emphasis on innovation, discipline in execution, and quick industrial growth. I worked with experts whose experience crossed continents, observed operations at some of China's biggest energy plants, and received training in top-notch facilities. I remember giving a speech on behalf of the Zimbabwean delegation in China , a dream come true. I came home feeling more energized, prepared, and eager to make a significant contribution to Zimbabwe's energy future.
I learned things from working with Chinese engineers, including accuracy, quickness, cooperation, and most importantly, humility. We are a cohesive team despite linguistic and cultural barriers because we have the same goal: to reliably and sustainably power Zimbabwe and over two years down, the success story continues.
The Impact: Personal, Professional, National
Personally, this collaboration gave me access to opportunities I never imagined. I have greatly profited from this partnership's technology transfer, global exposure, and mentoring as a young engineer from Zimbabwe. It has increased my self-assurance, improved my abilities, and broadened my knowledge of international engineering standards. I'm constructing a career influenced by global best practices, not just power plants.
In my professional life, I have witnessed how Chinese investments create communities and capacities in addition to infrastructure. Hundreds of Zimbabweans were hired, trained, and upskilled on the job site at Hwange. Improved schools and services were made available to neighboring communities, and local businesses took part in supply chains. Such collaboration produces sustainable economic ecosystems, which have an impact far beyond physical structures.
Cooperation between China and Zimbabwe is a key component of our development agenda at the national level. Chinese assistance has helped close important gaps left by tight national budgets and little foreign aid, from roads and electricity to agriculture and education. More significantly, Zimbabwe's desire for independence and indigenous solutions aligns with China's strategy of providing aid without political restrictions.
The Future: Unlocking New Horizons Together
The question as we look to the future is not only how far we've come, but also how much more we can accomplish. In my opinion, smart technologies, green energy, youth innovation, and manufacturing represent the next frontier of China-Zimbabwe cooperation. Lithium and sunlight, two essential components for a revolution in renewable energy, are abundant in Zimbabwe. China leads the world in solar, hydro, and battery technologies. By extending the partnership into sustainable energy systems, Zimbabwe will be able to meet its climate goals and establish itself as a regional energy exporter.
Digital transformation is another unexplored opportunity. China's expertise in creating digital economies, from fintech to e-commerce and artificial intelligence, could offer priceless insights and collaborations to Zimbabwean youth, who are ravenous for tech-driven solutions. Digital skills training, coding academies, and joint ventures in ICT can spark the next wave of Zimbabwean entrepreneurship.
Additionally, we need to fund more exchange initiatives, particularly in STEM fields. Every Zimbabwean student should have the chance to learn, create, and return home to build, in my opinion as someone who benefited from studying in China. Diplomacy is all about people-to-people interactions, and the more solid our human ties are, the more solid our partnership will become.
Finally, we ought to investigate exports with added value. With Chinese technical assistance, Zimbabwe can build processing facilities that generate employment and preserve more value domestically rather than exporting raw tobacco and minerals. Economic cooperation should focus on transformation rather than just trade.
Conclusion: Hand in Hand, We Power the Future
There is more to the 45-year friendship between China and Zimbabwe than just trade and treaties, in my opinion. Together, I witness dreams come true, lives transformed, and nations elevated.
This has been a very personal journey for me. I've experienced cooperation firsthand, from the Chinese factory floors to the Hwange control rooms. I've witnessed what it means to collaborate across cultural boundaries, to create partnerships, and to be at the crossroads of two great countries as they write their shared future. From where I stand, the major investments being done in our country, exchange programs, the support since independence and the developmental projects where a lot of Zimbabweans are employed, provides a lot of opportunities for local businesses and uplift the lives of Zimbabweans. As Zimbabwe rises, energized by this global friendship, I am proud to be one of the many Zimbabweans helping to shape that future—alongside our Chinese friends.