Catholic Nuns harvest a climate-smart future

By Derrick Silimina

As the first rays of light illuminate the lush farmlands of the Chibombo District, Ronald Kangabala breathes in the cool morning air, watching the emerald-green shoots of his crops sway softly in the breeze. 

"Our crops barely produced enough to feed us. We would always depend on food aid from religious sisters at St. Thomas Mission Hospital," Kangabala told Global Sisters Report. "Today, not only do we eat from our harvest, but we also sell the surplus and are able to sustain our livelihoods."

Kangabala, a maize and vegetable farmer in Chibombo, once resorted to charcoal burning after his horticulture production efforts failed due to a lack of farming materials and reliance on rainfed agriculture.

He said that the Daughters of the Redeemer not only transformed his quest for household food security but also introduced smart agriculture.

"We were invited by the sisters to join an agricultural program, and they taught us how to come up with gardens to grow maize, cassava and sweet potatoes through climate-smart agricultural mechanisms."

The Chibombo District, situated 93 km north of Zambia's capital, Lusaka, is afflicted by widespread economic hardships typical of many rural regions in southern Africa. Its rural setting also heightens its vulnerability to climate-related challenges such as unpredictable weather patterns and droughts. 

The onset of the 2024 drought affected approximately 9.8 million people in Zambia, almost half of the country's population.

In 2022, the Daughters of the Redeemer were supported by the Hilton Fund for Sisters and Cross Catholic Outreach to launch the Community Transformation Programme (CTP) and promote agricultural productivity in Chibombo and other areas. (The Hilton Foundation is a major funder of Global Sisters Report.)

The program supports five villages through agricultural mentorship, nutrition programs, and water, sanitation and hygiene activities. They also work on improving livelihoods by distributing food aid to vulnerable communities, providing educational scholarships, fostering financial literacy and building capacity in sustainable agriculture practices.

Hellen Chibwe from Chibombo is among 200 beneficiaries who have engaged in practical, hands-on training, which has empowered her and others to adopt improved farming methods.

"We observed significant improvements in our crops after using manure, which is more cost-effective and effective than fertilizer," Chibwe told GSR.

She expressed optimism about the recent cabbage harvest, which she helped cultivate in a field organized by the sisters. 

She said this collaborative, hands-on approach has significantly improved agricultural productivity and sustainability, thereby contributing to enhanced food security within her community.

Chibwe said the harvested cabbages were sold to marketeers at Lusaka's Soweto Market. The proceeds from this sale were then invested in a social fund called "village banking," where women can borrow at interest to invest in their personal enterprises.

"This reflects not only an improvement in our living conditions, but also a boost to our overall well-being. It's a clear sign of the positive impact the CTP model has had on our community," she said.

As Chibombo faces unpredictable weather patterns, the adoption of climate-smart agriculture can play an important role in promoting food security, supporting sustainable farming practices, and empowering rural communities by building resilience against climate variability.

"The program emerged from a deep reflection on how to transform the communities we serve. Thus, it was initiated to strengthen resilience, enhance livelihoods, and restore dignity, while remaining rooted in our mission of evangelization and compassionate service," said program director Sr. Rose Nyondo.

Sr. Matilda Mubanga, the project coordinator, said that due to the current high cost of living in Zambia, the program is vital for vulnerable households.

"Unlike initiatives that focus on a single sector, this program combines six components into a cohesive framework. This ensures that interventions are mutually reinforcing, promoting sustainable development while also radiating the charism of the Daughters of the Redeemer," she said.

Mubanga added that by addressing immediate and long-term needs, the initiative helps families cope with economic pressures while building sustainable livelihoods.

Mubanga told GSR that a baseline assessment was conducted at the program's inception, which helped track progress in food security, household income, health and hygiene practices, educational support, and spiritual engagement. She added that there has been concrete evidence of change within the communities served.

She further shared that after Chibombo served as the pilot site for the program, the initiative has been replicated in other areas where the Daughters of the Redeemer serve, including Lusaka and other parts of the Eastern Province.

She emphasized that despite key challenges such as limited financial resources, high cost of living and inflation, low literacy and technical skills among beneficiaries, as well as environmental and climatic issues, she feels inspired by the successful integration of spiritual mission with practical humanitarian service.

Rising with the wind

By Derrick Silimina

In the quiet town of De Aar, Sipho Dube often looks up at the towering 80-metre structures and their 42-metre blades, which seem to brush the clouds. To many, they are just a wind farm, but to Dube, they represent a lifeline. 

“I once struggled to find work after studying to become an electrician. I will always be grateful that CHN Energy Longyuan Power South Africa Branch offered me not just a job but a future,” Dube told ChinAfrica. 

In the semi-arid expanse of the Northern Cape, Longyuan has become a symbol of the green economic revolution propelled by China-South Africa cooperation. Its 163 turbines produce around 770 million kWh of clean electricity each year, powering roughly 300,000 South African homes and helping to ease the country’s persistent energy shortages. 

For Dube, a wind turbine technician, the De Aar Wind Power Project represents more than energy; it is an opportunity. “This project is fostering local talent, improving livelihoods and driving regional growth,” he said, noting that these initiatives are part of a wider push for sustainable energy development fuelled by international collaboration and technological innovation. 

“Two years ago, I struggled to provide for my family,” Dube reflects. “Now, thanks to Longyuan, I not only have a stable livelihood, but have also sharpened my skills in renewable energy. I am very proud of what we are building here.” 

  

Power for people 

The Longyuan wind power farm in De Aar is the first wind energy plant in Africa to be developed, constructed and operated by Longyuan South Africa, a wholly owned subsidiary of CHN Energy Investment Group’s Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd. 

Since its completion in 2017, the project has become the largest operational wind farm on the continent. Its towering turbines capture the region’s steady winds, earning the Northern Cape a reputation as a renewable energy hotspot. 

“We have always followed the concept of green development locally, and we keep improving our clean energy supply. Over the past year, we have continually made progress in green power generation, environmental protection, employee development and community support,” Longyuan South Africa Renewables CEO Wang Tianbao said recently when he unveiled the company’s 2024 Social Responsibility and 2025 Think Tank Reports. 

Wang said the reports aimed to highlight the commendable initiatives undertaken in new and clean energy, showcasing the company’s ongoing progress in green power generation, environmental protection, and community support. 

Energy experts note that nearly 300 days without load shedding in 2024 marks the longest stretch of uninterrupted power supply in five years, signalling notable progress in energy stability. The milestone underscores Longyuan’s role in addressing past energy shortages and boosting the country’s capacity to sustain economic growth. 

Arguably, the De Aar Wind Power Project exemplifies a dual focus on expanding renewable energy capacity while delivering tangible socio-economic benefits to the local community. This approach ensures that the project not only meets environmental objectives, but also contributes to economic and social progress at the local level. 

With a total investment of around 2.5 billion yuan ($352 million) and an installed capacity of 244.5 mw, the project harnesses South Africa’s consistently strong winds, which blow daily rather than only seasonally. 

“We are proud that the De Aar Wind Power Project contributed more than 783 million kWh of renewable electricity to the national grid this year,” said Dai Xiaoming, Longyuan South Africa’s director of planning and development. 

Dai noted that the wind power project in De Aar exemplifies Longyuan’s work under the Belt and Road Initiative, demonstrating the value of international partnerships in expanding renewable energy in South Africa. 

  

Caring for the community 

According to Guan Qing, business development coordinator at Longyuan South Africa, the company’s commitment extends beyond renewable energy. Through sustained efforts in education, employment, health care and youth development, Longyuan aims to empower and uplift local communities. 

Longyuan South Africa has demonstrated its commitment to corporate social responsibility through an annual scholarship programme worth around $263,200, supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds. So far, 390 students have benefitted from the programme. 

Guan also reiterated that the future of China-South Africa cooperation will extend beyond the energy sector to encompass culture, youth empowerment and innovation. 

Teboho Nhlahla, like Dube, is among more than 110 young technicians trained by the wind power company, an initiative that has led to over 80 percent of the workforce being locally employed, with many occupying key operational and management roles. 

“I am very excited to be among other young technicians trained to work here, especially since I had no financial means to support myself after completing high school,” Nhlahla told ChinAfrica. 

The company’s social responsibility programmes in the town, which has limited medical facilities, include establishing mobile clinics, supporting local old-age homes with food and care for impoverished elders, and building and operating early childhood centres that provide free education to hundreds of children from low-income families. 

Underscoring the importance of cooperation with China, South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa recently led a high-level delegation to China, aimed at strengthening the country’s energy capacity and advancing a transition towards a more sustainable and reliable power system. 

Amid chronic electricity shortages and the urgent need to upgrade its aging infrastructure, the visit built on previous successful partnerships, including the Redstone Solar Thermal Power Project in the Northern Cape, designed to deliver 100 mw of clean, dispatchable energy, and the Longyuan wind power project. 

“These initiatives illustrate the power of targeted international partnerships in advancing South Africa’s renewable energy ambitions, boosting local economic development and diversifying the country’s energy mix,” Ramokgopa said. 

The new catch for Zambia’s fishers

By Derrick Silimina

As Nawa Lubinda stands in a fragile canoe and casts his net into the deep waters of the Zambezi River, he reflects on his daily struggle as a local fisher depending on traditional fishing for his livelihood. 

“It’s getting harder from month to month, and the earlier we implement sustainable practices that can help conserve fish populations and ensure long-term economic benefits for communities, the better,” he says.

Lubinda’s experience of returning home with a poor catch underscores the challenges faced by many small-scale fishers in Zambia. Fishers like him are struggling with overfishing, environmental changes and limited access to modern technologies. 

And it’s not only affecting the fishers themselves – across the country, entire shoreline communities are facing the same pressures. 

The declining fish stocks and changing environmental conditions are making it harder for them to rely on traditional fishing alone. At the same time, limited infrastructure and market access affect their incomes. 

That’s why alternative ways of producing fish are becoming increasingly important for both livelihoods and food security. 

In November 2025, the Zambian government officially launched an aquaculture expansion project worth almost $ 570,000. It was implemented over the past year to eventually increase fish production, generate over 300 metric tons of fish per cycle and create more than 800 jobs.

Floating fish cages

How this vision is taking shape can be seen in the Senanga district, some 900 kilometres west of Lusaka. The Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, has introduced floating fish cages along the Zambezi River. 

During the launch, minister Elias Mubanga announced: “This project goes beyond fish farming. It is about empowerment, employment and transformation for our people, especially in rural areas.” 

And in fact, the project is designed not only to increase production and reduce pressure on wild fish stocks, but also to create new opportunities, especially for women and young people. Four cooperatives have therefore been equipped with 26 cages capable of holding 156,000 fish in the first production cycle. 

The number is set to be increased to 56, and they are expected to eventually produce up to a million fingerlings. The associated infrastructure – a 10-tonne cold room and a 5-tonne refrigerated truck for safe fish transportation, among others is just as much a part of this as the training of local groups, a significant proportion of whom are women and young people. 

They are being trained as part of the government programme and are supposed to get involved across the entire value chain of fish production. The programme also includes support for new business ventures.

The project in Senanga district is part of a broader national push to expand aquaculture, supported by fish breeding centres, cold chain facilities and similar programmes in other provinces. Authorities hope the Senanga project will serve as a model for replication elsewhere.

“It may lift us out of perpetual poverty”

The impact is already being felt by local communities. According to Lubinda, people at the local markets talk about “CEEC fish”, and the fishermen are hoping for new sources of income. 

Lubinda says that he and some of his fellow fishers along the river now see their future sooner or later fully beyond traditional fishing – they hope to become aquaculture entrepreneurs, managing a business that starts with the fishes in the Zambezi and ends on dinner plates across the region. 

“I can really imagine that this is going to be a gamechanger for our livelihood and enhance food security in our district,” he says. “Eventually, it may lift us out of perpetual poverty.” 

In fact, the Zambezi River has always been a lifeline in the form of water – now it could even play a decisive role in shaping the future of Zambia in a whole new way, as aquaculture gradually becomes more widespread. 

Mukubesa Kalaluka, another local fisher, agrees. He believes that the “socio-economic ripple effect will be felt in the district and beyond” and that with it indeed empowerment may come.

Relief from Hunger

By Derrick Silimina

In the arid terrain of Shang’ombo District, approximately 850 km west of Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, Charity Imbuwa received a Chinese food-aid pack and shared it with her children at their home near the Angola border. 

“We haven’t eaten anything for the last two days and we’re starving. I thank God for the Chinese food aid, provided through the World Food Programme (WFP), which will save us from hunger,” Imbuwa told ChinAfrica. 

Imbuwa and her family are among more than 188,000 Zambians who have been severely affected by the prolonged drought during the 2023/2024 agricultural season - one of the worst in recent memory - which led to widespread crop failure and increased food insecurity. 

Following the El Niño–induced drought, Shang’ombo District, like many other areas, experienced widespread failure of maize, the country’s staple crop. The drought caused significant crop losses throughout Western Province, making it one of the hardest-hit regions in Zambia. 

“Hunger is terrible because whenever I see my children hungry, I cry a lot, as I feel like I am failing to provide for them,” lamented Imbuwa, a mother of three. 

In Gwembe District in south Zambia, Gift Munkombwe, another beneficiary of Chinese food aid, said climate change has forced many families into poverty. He explained that children are experiencing stunting and malnutrition and are missing school as a result of climate-related hardships. 

“We are deeply grateful for this timely food assistance, which will go a long way in easing hunger,” he said. 

  

Food insecurity 

Zambia is facing the impacts of its worst drought in over four decades, attributed to El Niño and exacerbated by climate change. Oxfam reports that more than 1 million farming families, representing about 6.6 million people reliant on rain-fed agriculture, have been affected. 

The severity of the drought led President Hakainde Hichilema to declare a national disaster and emergency on 29 February 2024, a move aimed at enabling the allocation of additional resources to effectively respond to the crisis. 

“The destruction caused by the prolonged dry spell is immense. The drought has already affected 84 of the country’s 116 districts,” President Hichilema said. 

In response to the crisis, more than 188,000 drought-affected individuals in Zambia are expected to benefit from the food aid project, funded by China through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund. 

China, in collaboration with the WFP, has provided food aid worth $3.5 million to support Zambia’s efforts to locally purchase approximately 5,641 tonnes of maize. The grain distribution, planned over three months, is expected to benefit about 188,057 individuals, roughly 37,000 households, in the districts most affected by drought in the Southern and Western provinces. 

The Chinese government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing efficient food-aid projects across Africa, including Zambia, as part of broader strategies to address food insecurity caused by drought conditions in the region. 

“This aid package aims to support developing countries in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing during the recent handover ceremony to Zambia’s Vice President Mutale Nalumango in Lusaka. 

Han noted that the food aid forms part of China’s Global Development Initiative and demonstrates China’s commitment to Zambia’s development, as well as to strengthening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. 

The Chinese envoy added that the Global Development Initiative has financed development projects in more than 16 countries, benefitting over 30 million people worldwide. 

Speaking at the same event, Li Shuyin, deputy director of China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges, highlighted the importance of the project, citing China’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s development and promoting South-South cooperation. 

“China is firmly committed to taking decisive action by implementing high-quality and efficient food-aid projects to benefit millions of vulnerable groups,” Li said. 

She added that the project is part of a broader effort by China to deepen cooperation with African countries, with a focus on promoting agricultural development and food security. Li further noted that the Chinese government has invested over $100 million in similar projects across more than 40 countries, benefitting millions of people worldwide. 

Meanwhile, WFP Representative in Zambia Cissy Byenkya Kabasuba expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for its generous contribution. 

“This contribution is a remarkable testament to China’s ongoing dedication to humanitarian support and food security,” Kabasuba said. 

  

Deeper cooperation 

The launch of the project marks a significant milestone in the partnership between China, the WFP and Zambia, underscoring the commitment of all parties to promoting sustainable development and food security in the region. 

“We have been working closely with the Zambian government to provide humanitarian assistance to drought-affected communities, and the WFP plays a key role in implementing the project, ensuring that food aid reaches those most in need,” the organisation said. 

Receiving the donation, Vice President Nalumango expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for the timely assistance, citing the enduring friendship and solidarity between the two countries. 

“This assistance will go a long way in providing much-needed relief to our people, who continue to face the harsh realities of the El Niño aftermath,” Nalumango said during the handover ceremony recently held at the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) offices in Lusaka. 

Nalumango paid tribute to the Chinese government as a key partner in Zambia’s development, supporting various sectors including infrastructure, agriculture and capacity building.

“The government is elated with the latest donation, which underscores China’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s efforts to address the impacts of climate change and promote sustainable development,” she said.

Deadly frontier for truck drivers

By Derrick Silimina

Zambian truck drivers are calling for a boycott of routes into the Democratic Republic of the Congo after repeated attacks on foreign drivers and disappearances. Unions demand urgent security guarantees.

Normally, a huge fleet of trucks loaded with shimmering copper cathodes, sacks of cobalt and other goods destined for the world’s tech giants crosses the border between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 

These days, however, Zambian truck drivers and the United Truck Drivers and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (UTDAWUZ) have declared their intent to lobby for a global boycott of routes into the DRC due to ongoing brutal attacks on foreign truck drivers. 

“We urge our regional colleagues to prepare for a total boycott of DRC-bound cargo until safety benchmarks are met,” Union President Givans Moonga says.

“We are not always safe crossing into the Democratic Republic of the Congo because foreign truck drivers get killed like flies,” says Milton Kaluba, a Zambian truck driver who now only drives the route across the border with a queasy feeling. “Actually, authorities from both Zambia and Congo should protect our lives,” he says in an excited voice.

“Our drivers are being killed while the world watches”

The border at Kasumbalesa is Zambia’s main trade route into the DRC, a multi-million-dollar trade border linking the Southern African Development Community (SADC) with the DRC and serving as an important transit point for goods to and from southern African countries such as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and beyond. 

“We have called on the governments of Zambia and the DRC to consider establishing a dry transit port so that foreign truck drivers can unload on the Zambian side at Kasumbalesa and our Congolese colleagues can load cargo from there and take it to their country,” Moonga says.

“Our drivers are being killed while the world watches,” he adds. “We are no longer asking for safety; we are demanding it. If the DRC authorities cannot secure our corridors, then those corridors must remain empty.” 

The call comes amid recent reports of four drivers missing, with their trucks and goods seized at various locations within the DRC. Moonga emphasises that the boycott aims to protect Zambian drivers, because the Congolese government has failed to provide necessary security measures. 

“The global boycott should be implemented until a lasting solution is found to address the drivers’ safety concerns,” Moonga adds.

The Union demands immediate security guarantees, visible and effective protection for all transport workers within DRC borders, accountability, full investigations and prosecution of those responsible for the recent killings and robberies of drivers. 

“We as a union stand ready to coordinate with regional partners to ensure that no other life is lost to ‘silent diplomacy’,” Moonga says.

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) relies heavily on border crossings such as Kasumbalesa for customs duties, which are also an important economic lifeline for southern African countries. 

That is why, in the meantime, Zambia’s Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga, has stated that the government understands the plight of the affected truck drivers and is working to improve the difficult conditions they face in the DRC. It remains to be seen what this means in concrete terms and whether there will actually be an improvement.

Flowing Into a Better Life

By Derrick Silimina

In Bom Jesus Municipality, a cool breeze drifts in from the Kwanza River, softening the edges of a town marked by landmarks such as António Agostinho Neto International Airport. 

Yet beneath Luanda’s scenic façade, daily life for many residents is defined by a persistent struggle for water. 

“We have to walk 5 to 15 km to access water. This perennial problem is so depressing. What’s more, the lack of clean water causes waterborne diseases in our community,” local resident Isabel Fernando told ChinAfrica. 

Helena Luciano shares the same reality. Like thousands of others, she makes long, exhausting journeys in search of water, often balancing heavy jerrycans on her head or shoulders. 

“The water we collect is usually murky and has to be boiled to make it safe,” Luciano said. “That consumes valuable firewood and time. We really need better infrastructure and climate-resilient measures to improve access to water in our area.” 

Fernando noted that inadequate infrastructure, compounded by a variable climate, has long been the cause of water scarcity in Luanda. Despite being surrounded by water, she said, only about half of the city’s population has access to clean running water, forcing many households to rely on expensive and unreliable informal suppliers. 

“I can’t wait for the day when this nightmare of walking kilometres for drinking water ends,” she said. “I dream of a life where the worry of water is finally washed away.” 

A major water project being carried out by the Power Construction Corp. of China, or PowerChina, could soon help to bring this long-standing struggle to an end. 

  

Channel of hope 

Across the rolling hills of Bom Jesus, wide, freshly excavated trenches cut through the landscape, forming channels that will soon deliver clean water under the Quilonga Grande Water Supply Project, known as System 5. As Angola’s largest ongoing water supply initiative, the project has become a concrete symbol of hope for surrounding communities. 

At the construction site in east Luanda, workers carry out their duties with precision and coordination, underscoring the organised approach to the project’s implementation by PowerChina. 

“We have laid a solid foundation for the main structure and construction is underway as planned. Once completed, the project will significantly ease the chronic water shortages in east Luanda,” PowerChina chief engineer Zhang Peng recently affirmed. 

Zhang Qiang, PowerChina’s project manager, introduced the key components of the Quilonga Water Supply Project: a raw water pumping station with a daily capacity of 570,000 cubic metres, a 12.5 km raw water pipeline, and a water treatment plant capable of processing 500,000 cubic metres daily. 

Water experts say once completed, the System 5 project will provide clean drinking water to the province of Icolo e Bengo and the northeastern areas of Luanda, securing water supply for 5 million people and addressing the challenges posed by rapid population growth and inadequate existing infrastructure. 

“The facility will connect 11 distribution centres with a total storage capacity of 283,600 cubic metres,” Zhang added. 

According to experts, the city of Luanda, with a population of 10 million residents, has a shortage of 1.2 million cubic metres of water per day, primarily caused by three outdated supply systems. 

João Baptista Borges, Angola’s minister of energy and water, recently said the project, which will increase daily water supply capacity by 510,000 cubic metres, aims to connect 350,000 more households to the water network. 

“It plays a crucial role in enhancing urban water security, improving residents’ quality of life, and fostering sustainable social development,” Borges said during a concrete pouring ceremony for the water intake pump station held by PowerChina. 

He added that the integrated project covers water intake, transmission, treatment, and sludge treatment, benefitting around 5 million residents. 

Besides improving water supply, the project will help to bridge socioeconomic gaps, according to the government. 

“The project will provide around 300 direct jobs, and over 90 skilled workers will be trained in various areas, including cultural exchange, language training, and the hiring of local engineers with study experience in China, which helps to foster mutual understanding and cooperation among staff.” 

  

Local development 

Bom Jesus Municipality Administrator Helmano Adriano praised PowerChina’s commitment to local communities through public welfare projects, such as building drinking water systems, installing power grids, and supporting community initiatives, which directly benefit thousands of residents. 

The national water supplier Empresa Pública de Águas EPAL-EP has stated that the system is designed to meet increasing water demand in Luanda and strengthen the area’s water capacity by sourcing water from the Kwanza River, approximately 50 km from the capital. 

The water utility firm revealed that the project comprises raw water pumping stations, transmission pipelines, and distribution centres designed to enhance the efficient delivery of clean water, thereby significantly improving water quality in the region. 

EPAL-EP Administrator Kelson Domingos highlighted that Luanda Province is undergoing rapid population growth, making access to clean drinking water a critical issue for Angola’s residents. 

“In response, Angolan authorities have launched an extensive programme aimed at improving water supply infrastructure. This initiative includes the construction of two water plants, Bita and Quilonga Grande, along with expanded distribution networks,” he noted. 

In this context, Chinese Ambassador to Angola Zhang Bin recently announced new strategic projects for Angola, including the Caculo-Cabaça hydropower project and the new Caio Deep Water Port in Cabinda Province. 

Zhang said the major projects currently underway reflect strengthened relations between China and Angola. 

“There are many Chinese companies with a great interest in investing in Angola, and the embassy would help to make these investments a reality,” Zhang said.