Gert Johannes Grobler, a scholar and former diplomat in South Africa, has dedicated half a century to diplomacy, serving as South Africa's ambassador to countries including Spain, Japan, and Madagascar.

Since 2019, Grobler has been employed as a senior researcher at the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University (IASZNU). During his tenure in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, he conducted special lectures for faculty and students on topics such as South African foreign policy, South African diplomatic history, and international relations in Africa, while also undertaking research in the fields of international politics and China-Africa relations.

Although Grobler has been in South Africa in recent years, he continues to actively promote China-Africa cooperation. He also serves as the Honorary Dean of the South African Branch of IASZNU now.

Grobler delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2021 academic year for new students at IASZNU. [Photo/Official websiteof IASZNU]

While in Jinhua, Grobler presided over a series of lectures titled "African Public Opinion" for the students and faculty. He actively participated in various academic activities, attended conferences, conducted research trips to different regions, and mentored young teachers and students at the Institute.

Grobler (second from left) participating in a field trip during the first Zhejiang Media Cooperation and Communication Forum with International Friendship Cities. [Photo/Official WeChat account of IASZNU]

Grobler at a village in Jinhua. [Photo/Cultural Exchange Magazine]

Grobler with colleagues from IASZNU. [Photo/Cultural Exchange Magazine]

Grobler has consistently spoken out for China on international platforms, objectively and sincerely sharing China's development story and the story of China-Africa cooperation, strengthening the China-Africa friendship.

Grobler delivered a lecture on African issues and China-Africa relations to nearly 30 Chinese diplomats at the Department of African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 22, 2021. [Photo/Official WeChat account of IASZNU]

During his time in Jinhua, Grobler was invited to attend over 40 conferences and gave speeches. He published over 80 commentary articles and interviews in both English and Afrikaans across international and Chinese media, actively promoting the China-Africa cooperation. Professor Liu Hongwu, Dean of the IASZNU, highly praised Grobler as "exceptionally dedicated and an ambassador for promoting China's image."

Liu (second from left), presenting Grobler with a Dunhuang calendar as a souvenir. [Photo/Official WeChat account of IASZNU]

At crucial junctures in China-Africa cooperation, Grobler, with diplomat's keen insight, scholar's profound understanding, and international friend's sentiments, promptly penned commentary articles based on his observations, experiences, and reflections in China, highly praising China's outstanding development.

During the 13th meeting of the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum in March 2024 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, over 300 Chinese and African scholars jointly issued the Consensus Among African and Chinese Think Tanks on Deepening Global Development Cooperation, also known as the Africa-China Dar es Salaam Consensus.

It is the first international consensus proposed by Global South countries, rather than being imposed by those in the Global North. This significant achievement won widespread international attention and was highly evaluated in China and Africa.

China Daily published an article by Grobler. [Photo/Official WeChat account of IASZNU]

China Daily published an article titled Spirit of Dar es Salaam Reigns by Grobler on July 15, 2024. The article stated that the Africa-China Dar es Salaam Consensus, which in essence represents the collective voice of the Global South, among others, calls on the international community to deepen development cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, solidarity, win-win cooperation, openness, and common prosperity. It also focuses on the promotion of peaceful resolution of conflicts, and the need for respect of historical, cultural traditions and the national conditions of different nations.

As a South African scholar at the IASZNU, Grobler has not only enriched the academic research and teaching practice of the institute with his professional knowledge and diplomatic wisdom, but also built a bridge of friendship between China and Africa through his actions, promoting mutual understanding and respect between the peoples of both continents.

"He merely moved his desk from Jinhua to Pretoria, South Africa," said Liu. Since returning to South Africa, Grobler has never severed his close ties with China or IASZNU. His continued efforts for China-Africa cooperation are admirable.

Related Story: Xi stresses China, Africa always a community with a shared future

Editor: Cheng Dengyu