From 6 to 8 March 2025, hundreds of people from diverse backgrounds joined Basotho on the Moshoeshoe Walk from Leribe to Thaba Bosiu. The walk commemorates the legacy of the great King Moshoeshoe I. This year, Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho, His Excellency Yang Xiaokun, and his staff, participated in the annual event, which serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and unity of the Basotho people. As Basotho reflect fondly on this significant occasion, it is worth drawing parallels between the Moshoeshoe Walk and another monumental event in history: the Long March of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Both events symbolize the indomitable spirit of their respective peoples, showcasing their struggles, sacrifices, and aspirations for a better future.
The Long March, a retreat from Jiangxi to Shaanxi Province, which took place from 1934 to 1936, was a pivotal moment in the history of the CPC. Facing overwhelming odds, the Red Army embarked on a gruelling journey of over 12,500 kilometers, traversing treacherous terrain and enduring harsh conditions. This epic trek was not merely a military manoeuvre; it was a testament to the resilience and determination of the CPC in the face of adversity. The Long March solidified the party’s leadership and ideology, ultimately leading to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. It is a story of survival, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to a vision of a better society.
“During the journey, they climbed towering mountains as high as 5,000 meters, traversed human-sucking bogs and forded frothy rivers without boats. It’s estimated that the soldiers’ footprints covered 14 provinces, 24 rivers and 18 mountain ranges,” reads a narrative from CGTN.
“The intense hardship the soldiers underwent in their journey was not limited to the unforgiving wilderness and harsh natural conditions, but was also dotted with frequent exchanges with the Nationalist enemy, harassment from local warlords, chronic shortages of food and difficulties dealing with diseases.”
The stark similarities between the two journeys
Similarly, the Moshoeshoe Walk, from Menkhoaneng in Leribe to Thaba Bosiu in Maseru, embodies the spirit of resilience among the Basotho people. This annual pilgrimage, which takes place in March, commemorates the founding of the Basotho nation and honors the legacy of King Moshoeshoe I.
There are significant similarities between the Moshoeshoe Walk and the Long March which are important to understand decades later starting with the fact that they were led by two venerable men that we are still celebrating today several decades after their respective deaths. The Moshoeshoe Walk, was led by Lesotho’s founding father, King Moshoeshoe I while the Long March was led by Chairman Mao Zedong, one of the most iconic figures in Chinese history.
Ideologically, both the Long March and the Moshoeshoe Walk were rooted in the struggles of their respective peoples against colonialism, oppression, and division. The CPC’s Long March was a response to the brutal campaigns of the Nationalist government. In both cases, these events represent a collective journey toward liberation and empowerment.
When King Moshoeshoe embarked on the walk from Menkhoaneng, he was seeking refuge for his people from the devastating wars of the Lifaqane (Mfecane), a period of widespread conflict and violence across Southern Africa. The Thaba Bosiu plateau’s fortress-like form offered a strategic and defensible location to protect his people from attacks. For many critics, this was viewed as cowardice on King Moshoeshoe’s part but today, over 200 years later, the result is a proud Kingdom that stands resolutely in the face of adversity.
Various historical texts say the march began with about 80,000 troops and thousands of other administrators and civilians from Jiangxi. While the margins are vast apart from those of King Moshoeshoe’s own trek in 1824, the journey was equally treacherous. King Moshoeshoe lost his grandfather, Peete, who was captured, killed and eaten by cannibals on that nine-day journey.
Just as Moshoeshoe’s journey ended with the establishment of a nation. Both journeys ended in remarkable triumphs. Strong leadership upon whose principles their respective countries are built upon.
In their dealings, it is imperative to note that while there could be distinct differences between the Chinese and Basotho histories, the similarities cannot be ignored. In fact, they must be a source of inspiration for them to collaborate on many fronts.
The spirit of resilience
The Long March, CGTN says, is an epic story of self-sacrifice, patriotism and defying the odds. It has become the spiritual symbol for CPC members and the People’s Liberation Army.
The spirit of resilience that characterizes both the Long March and the Moshoeshoe Walk is not only a reflection of the past but also a guiding principle for the present and future. For the people of the People’s Republic of China, the Long March serves as a reminder of their capacity to overcome challenges and achieve greatness. It is a source of inspiration that fuels their aspirations for modernization and development. Similarly, the Moshoeshoe Walk inspires the people of Lesotho to embrace their heritage while striving for progress and unity in the face of contemporary challenges.
However, the resilience demonstrated in the Long March and the Moshoeshoe Walk offers valuable lessons for both nations. It underscores the importance of unity, perseverance, and a shared vision for the future.
The Moshoeshoe Walk, on the other hand, highlights the significance of cultural identity and heritage in shaping a nation’s trajectory. Both events remind us that progress is not solely measured by economic indicators but also by the strength of a nation’s spirit and the resilience of its people in building their countries one step at a time.
As we celebrate the Moshoeshoe Walk and reflect on the legacy of the Long March, it is essential to recognize the astounding achievements that China has registered in just 75 years from being one of the poorest countries to the second biggest economy in the world while also noting the potential for collaboration and solidarity among developing countries. China not only realized economic growth, but also pursued high-quality development, which was mentioned in the recently held “two sessions”. One of the major takeaways from the engagement is Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s Government Work Report presentation. The report reviewed China’s 2024 achievements and outlined the developmental goals for 2025. According to the Global Times, “despite complex and challenging developments marked by mounting external pressures and growing domestic difficulties in 2024, China successfully met its key socioeconomic targets for the year making solid progress in promoting high-quality development”.
Among some of the achievements, China’s green (non-fossil) energy generation rose to up to 40% of total power generated. The country also installed its renewable energy capacity to 370 million kilowatts. This was complemented with 13 million new energy vehicles while value added high-tech manufacturing rose by 8.9%. China is continuously opening up to the world and in 2024, it “offered unilateral visa waivers to more countries and extended visa-free transit stays to 240 hours”.
In 2025, China plans to “foster emerging industries and industries of the future”, “promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries” as well as “unleash the creativity of the digital economy”.
During a recent press conference, Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi said there would be no global modernization without African modernization.
“Africa is a fertile land of hope of the 21st century. There will be no global modernization without African modernization. The stability and development of Africa is vital to the future of humanity, and the world must listen to Africa and heed its concerns. Africa is going through a new awakening, and countries should support Africa in exploring a new development path of self-reliance and self-strengthening,” Minister Wang said.
China and Lesotho, despite their differences in size, population, economic status and even geographical location; they still share common challenges and aspirations. By fostering partnerships and exchanging knowledge, these nations can work together to address pressing issues such as poverty alleviation, education, and sustainable development.
Walking together, growing together
China has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to share its experiences to help the rest of the Global South develop their economies. Programmes like the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative carry the same spirit. And Minister Wang said this year marked the 25th anniversary of FOCAC a corporation platform that has resulted in China helping Africa “build or upgrade nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, and more than 10,000 kilometers of railways”.
“In the past three years alone, Chinese enterprises created more than 1.1 million new jobs in Africa. China has remained Africa’s largest trade partner for 16 consecutive years,” said Minister Wang.
The message has been clear from China that Beijing is totally invested in building a high-level all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era where equality is one of the hallmarks.
China and Lesotho are working together, growing together. In fact, that is what China advocates. In the last year, China and Lesotho celebrated several milestones of their corporation. China successfully handed over to the Lesotho government three key projects namely: the rebuilt Maseru District and Eye Clinic (formerly Queen II Hospital), the 91-kilometer Mpiti to Sehlabathebe road as well as the Fingerprint Examination Laboratory. There are multiple other projects and programmes where China has continuously extended support to Lesotho and indeed the rest of the Global South to indicate its firm commitment to “a community of a shared future for humankind”.
Lesotho is in good standing to also draw experiences from China on many aspects. For instance, in the context of South-South collaboration, China stands out as a champion of modernization achieved on its own terms as well tailored for its needs. China, still classified as a developing country, has been intentional in the process of its growth. As late as the 1980s, China was still inviting all manner of foreign experts to mentor its own people about technology. While it will sound unbelievable, China even got experts to teach technology from Africa in the 1980s. That act alone is shrouded in profound lessons. Africa’s history of marginalisation is similar to that of China. So, it made sense to learn from previously similarly placed countries.
And today China stands tall, head and shoulder above the entire world in terms of technological strides that it has made in the last 40 years. It only stands to reason for Lesotho too to draw experiences from China.
Using the Chinese model can lead to greater economic autonomy. It is time to strengthen the collaboration between China and Lesotho and indeed other Global South countries by revitalizing political ties and enhancing solidarity, enabling them to present a united front in international forums. This can enhance their bargaining power and influence in global governance, allowing them to advocate their interests more effectively.
Global South countries are the ones that have the largest deficits and therefore are compelled to commit to achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs). By working together, they can pool resources, share knowledge, and implement strategies that are tailored to their specific challenges, thus enhancing their chances of success.
China and Lesotho can also promote alternative development models that prioritize social equity, environmental sustainability, and local empowerment. This will help both countries to build resilience against global economic shocks, climate change, and other external pressures. This collective approach can enhance their ability to respond to crises and adapt to changing circumstances. China has demonstrated willingness to collaborate and indeed help in such times as the Covid-19 pandemic and countless droughts.
Silence Charumbira is an international journalist based in Maseru, Lesotho. He has worked with multiple reputable organisations like The Guardian, CNN and the Associated Press (AP) among others. He writes on diverse topics including China-Africa relations. Views expressed in this article are his own and do not necessarily represent those of the publication.
Additional reporting from The Globe Times, CGTN and Two Sessions.
