STORY: China's power wind project in South Africa benefits local community
DATELINE: Aug. 18, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:40
LOCATION: DE AAR, South Africa
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of De Aar Wind Power Project
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): DASWIN BASSON, Worker, Longyuan SA
3. various of De Aar Wind Power Project
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): DASWIN BASSON, Worker, Longyuan SA
5. various of De Aar Wind Power Project
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): DISANG MOLADLE, Municipal Manager of Emthanjeni Municipality

STORYLINE:

Daswin Basson lives in De Aar, a town in the Northern Cape province of South Africa.

The 27-year-old works at the De Aar wind power project invested by China's Longyuan Power through its South African subsidiary Longyuan South Africa Renewables (Longyuan SA) and its South African partners.

The wind power project has been in operation since 2017.
 
In addition to continuously supplying the local community with about 760 million kWh of stable and clean electricity every year, Longyuan SA has spared no efforts to help local people.
 
It has launched a scholarship program, which to date has funded 112 poor college students with excellent academic performance to finish their studies. Basson is one of beneficiaries.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): DASWIN BASSON, Worker, Longyuan SA
"Without them, I wouldn't be the person I am today or where I am today. Because both my parents are unemployed, I realized that they would not be able to pay for my studies. So I had to work, and was paid monthly salaries. But unfortunately, it took long. It was very difficult. They helped me with basically everything I needed, accommodation, transportation, tuition. They made my studies extremely easier than it was."

After graduating from university, Basson officially joined Longyuan SA in 2022 and became a member of its operation and maintenance team.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): DASWIN BASSON, Worker, Longyuan SA
"Of course, as Longyuan grows, so will the positive things in the community. I just hope Longyuan grows bigger so they can help our community more."

Besides, Longyuan SA has also funded the establishment and operation of four preschools, two old-age homes, as well as a ground water project.

Before Longyuan Power came to De Aar, due to limited infrastructure and transportation, the income of local residents used to be quite low.

So far, the wind power project has created more than 700 jobs which has helped improve the living standards of local people.

According to Disang Moladle, municipal manager of Emthanjeni Municipality which comprises De Aar and two other towns, the project can become an example of the cooperation between China and South Africa as well as that among the BRICS countries.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): DISANG MOLADLE, Municipal Manager of Emthanjeni Municipality
"So China with technology, we believe that is one of the best in the world. Teach us how best should we do the business, teach us good business practices and also teach us good industrial processes, and teach us good manufacturing process. China is very good. There is no doubt."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from De Aar, South Africa.
(XHTV)