SA can pick up lessons from China

AS A South African living in Shanghai, I've found myself immersed in a transformation that feels both exhilarating and deeply rooted — a phenomenon I call China's modernisation with a heartbeat.

- THANDISWA LOSI

China's modernisation, often described as “modernisation with Chinese characteristics,” is a dynamic blend of cutting-edge progress and deep-rooted tradition.

It's not the Western model of development I grew up reading about, nor is it a carbon copy of South Africa’s post-apartheid rebuilding. It's something uniquely Chinese — a journey of advancement that doesn't erase identity but amplifies it. As a South African, this resonates deeply, as it echoes our aspirations to modernise while holding fast to who we are.

When I arrived in Shanghai almost two years ago, I was dazzled by the city’s skyline — a forest of glass and steel towers that make Sandton’s business district look quaint. The Maglev train, whisking me from Pudong Airport to the city centre at 431 km/h, felt like stepping into a sci-fi novel.

Yet, just a 20-minute walk from my apartment in Jingan, I found Yu Garden, a 16th-century oasis of koi ponds and stone bridges, where elderly locals practice tai chi at dawn. This juxtaposition of hyper-modernity and tradition is the essence of Chinese modernisation.

South Africans will understand this balancing act. In Johannesburg, we're proud of our gleaming malls and tech hubs, but we cherish Soweto’ vibrant streets and the cultural weight of our history. Similarly, China’s modernisation doesn't bulldoze its past. The government's emphasis on “cultural confidence” ensures that heritage sites are preserved, and traditional festivals like the Spring Festival are celebrated with fervour.