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開(kāi)放 堅(jiān)持 與時(shí)俱進(jìn)
中國(guó)駐津大使轉(zhuǎn)發(fā)：我與中津友誼的故事
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2026-01-10
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導(dǎo)語(yǔ)
中津建交45周年之際，中國(guó)駐津巴布韋大使館開(kāi)展征文活動(dòng)“我與中津友誼的故事”。PLZ公司津方員工的投稿獲得一等獎(jiǎng)，中國(guó)駐津巴布韋大使周鼎在社交平臺(tái)上發(fā)布了該文章。作者娜塔莎·馬查亞（Natasha Machaya）——一位妻子、一位母親，也是一位為津巴布韋未來(lái)貢獻(xiàn)力量的年輕職業(yè)女性，所講述的一段動(dòng)人故事。
On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zimbabwe, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Zimbabwe organized an essay contest entitled “My Story with China–Zimbabwe Friendship.” An entry submitted by a Zimbabwean employee of PLZ Company won first prize, and the Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding, shared the essay on X. The author, Natasha Machaya—a wife, a mother, and a young professional woman contributing to the future of Zimbabwe—tells a deeply moving story.
坐在華友鈷業(yè)津巴布韋鋰礦項(xiàng)目的辦公桌前，選礦設(shè)備節(jié)奏性的轟鳴聲已成熟悉的背景樂(lè)。我凝視著屏幕上的照片——那是我在津巴布韋大學(xué)的畢業(yè)典禮，我手握“漢語(yǔ)專(zhuān)業(yè)優(yōu)秀學(xué)生”證書(shū)，臉上交織著疲憊與喜悅。那只是三年前的2022年。而在2026年的今天，前方的道路既顯得踏實(shí)，又與一個(gè)充滿活力的未來(lái)緊密相連——這個(gè)未來(lái)深深植根于我的祖國(guó)津巴布韋，與那個(gè)用語(yǔ)言俘獲我內(nèi)心的國(guó)家——中國(guó)之間綿延不息的友誼之中。我叫 Natasha Machaya，出生于1999年，這是我在這最初25年人生里，由理想、務(wù)實(shí)與意外溫暖交織而成的故事。
Sitting at my desk at Huayou Cobalt’s Prospect Lithium site, the rhythmic hum of processing machinery a familiar soundtrack, I gaze at the photo on my screen: my graduation day at the University of Zimbabwe, clutching my "Top Chinese Studies Student" certificate with a mix of exhaustion and elation. That was just three years ago in 2022. Today, in 2026, the path ahead feels both grounded and intertwined with a vibrant future, a future deeply connected to the enduring friendship between my homeland, Zimbabwe, and the nation whose language captured my heart, China. I am Natasha Machaya, born in 1999, and this is my story woven with threads of aspiration, pragmatism, and unexpected warmth spanning just these first 25 years.
我對(duì)中國(guó)的迷戀，并非源于宏大的地緣政治，而是始于哈拉雷一張海報(bào)上漢字流暢優(yōu)雅的舞動(dòng)。當(dāng)朋友們夢(mèng)想著倫敦或紐約時(shí)，我卻不由自主地被東方吸引。在津巴布韋大學(xué)，我全身心投入普通話學(xué)習(xí)，這份熱情甚至讓我自己都感到驚訝。聲調(diào)是一座需要攀登的高山，把 m?。▼?zhuān)┠畛?mǎ（馬），讓我多次接受導(dǎo)師耐心的糾正。漢字如同精巧復(fù)雜的拼圖。然而，中國(guó)的歷史、詩(shī)詞，以及博大恢弘的文化規(guī)模，持續(xù)激發(fā)著我的決心。無(wú)數(shù)個(gè)與課本和單詞卡相伴的夜晚，成了我的常態(tài)。最終，在2022年，我以漢語(yǔ)專(zhuān)業(yè)第一名的成績(jī)畢業(yè)，那種自豪無(wú)比強(qiáng)烈，是對(duì)無(wú)數(shù)付出與堅(jiān)定熱愛(ài)的最好印證。終極夢(mèng)想似乎就在眼前——我收到了天津大學(xué)國(guó)際關(guān)系碩士項(xiàng)目的錄取通知書(shū)。握著那封信，仿佛握住了一張通往我多年潛心研究文明核心的入場(chǎng)券。天津！繁忙的街道、古老的寺廟與現(xiàn)代摩天大樓并立的景象，以及深度的學(xué)術(shù)沉浸，在我腦海中不斷浮現(xiàn)。
My fascination with China began not with grand geopolitics, but with the elegant dance of characters on a poster in Harare. While my friends dreamt of London or New York, I found myself drawn eastward. At the University of Zimbabwe, I immersed myself in Mandarin with a fervor that surprised even me. The tones were a mountain to climb, mistaking mā (mother) for mǎ (horse) earned me more than a few patient corrections from my tutors. The characters felt like intricate puzzles. Yet the history, the poetry, the sheer scale of the culture fueled my determination. Long nights with textbooks and flashcards became my norm. The culmination was graduating top of my class in Chinese Studies in 2022. The pride was immense, a validation of countless hours and unwavering passion. The ultimate dream seemed within reach: an acceptance letter for a Master’s in International Relations at Tianjin University. Holding that letter felt like holding a ticket to the heart of the civilization I had studied so intently. Tianjin! Visions of bustling streets, ancient temples alongside modern skyscrapers, and deep academic immersion filled my mind.
然而，欣喜的心情很快被現(xiàn)實(shí)的沉重沖擊。高達(dá)數(shù)千美元的學(xué)費(fèi)、跨越洲際的機(jī)票費(fèi)用、住宿開(kāi)銷(xiāo)，以及在中國(guó)一線城市的生活成本，如同一座座難以逾越的高山，令我的家庭無(wú)力承擔(dān)。我申請(qǐng)的獎(jiǎng)學(xué)金始終未能如愿。漫步天津大學(xué)校園、在中國(guó)懷抱中求學(xué)的夢(mèng)想逐漸褪色，取而代之的是深切而沉重的失落感，仿佛就在我觸及它的一刻，一扇門(mén)猛然關(guān)閉。
But the soaring joy soon met the hard ground of reality. The costs of tuition fees demanding thousands of U.S. dollars, flights across continents, accommodation, and living expenses in a major Chinese city were astronomical mountains my family simply couldn’t scale. Scholarships I applied for remained elusive. The dream of walking Tianjin’s campus, of studying within China’s embrace, began to fade, replaced by a profound ache of disappointment. It felt like a door slamming shut just as I reached it.
即便如此，那條將我與中國(guó)相連的紐帶雖承受拉扯卻并未斷裂，只是走向了一個(gè)意想不到的轉(zhuǎn)折。華友鈷業(yè)津巴布韋鋰礦項(xiàng)目——這一開(kāi)發(fā)我國(guó)豐富鋰資源（被譽(yù)為“世界電池的白色黃金”）的重要中津合資項(xiàng)目，正積極尋求精通普通話的本地人才。我的導(dǎo)師轉(zhuǎn)交了我的簡(jiǎn)歷。那一刻，它仿佛是一根生命線，讓我即便在學(xué)術(shù)之路被迫中斷的情況下，仍能與我熱愛(ài)的語(yǔ)言和國(guó)家保持聯(lián)系。懷著對(duì)未能前往天津的遺憾，卻也下定決心繼續(xù)前行，我于2022年末加入華友，擔(dān)任初級(jí)聯(lián)絡(luò)員兼翻譯。
Yet the thread connecting me to China, though strained, didn’t break. It simply took an unforeseen turn. Huayou Cobalt Zimbabwe’s Prospect Lithium, a major new Sino-Zimbabwean joint venture developing our country’s vast lithium resources ("white gold" for the world’s batteries) was actively seeking local talent fluent in Mandarin. My professor forwarded my CV. It felt like a lifeline, a way to stay connected to the language and the country I loved, even if the academic path was closed. With a heart still heavy with the loss of Tianjin but determined to forge ahead, I joined Huayou in late 2022 as a Junior Liaison and Translator.
華友成為了我意料之外的課堂和試煉場(chǎng)。我最初的工作以實(shí)務(wù)為主：翻譯技術(shù)文件，并在技術(shù)嫻熟的中國(guó)工程師、地質(zhì)專(zhuān)家、管理人員與津巴布韋本地員工及社區(qū)代表之間搭建溝通橋梁。這與文學(xué)分析的世界相去甚遠(yuǎn)，卻充滿活力且至關(guān)重要。我很快意識(shí)到，大學(xué)賦予我的不僅僅是語(yǔ)言能力，更是文化理解力。我學(xué)會(huì)了把握其中的細(xì)微差別：在中國(guó)商業(yè)文化中等級(jí)秩序與“面子”（面子 - miànzi）的重要性，與本地合作伙伴溝通時(shí)有時(shí)需要的直接表達(dá)方式，以及不同的決策節(jié)奏。我的角色不只是傳遞詞句，更是在搭建理解的橋梁。
Huayou became my unexpected classroom and proving ground. My initial tasks were practical: translating technical documents and facilitating communication between the skilled Chinese engineers, geologists, and managers and our Zimbabwean workforce and local community leaders. It was a world away from literary analysis, but it was dynamic and vital. I quickly realized that my university studies had given me more than language, they had given me cultural understanding. I learned to navigate nuances: the importance of hierarchy and "face" (面子 - miànzi) in Chinese business culture, the directness sometimes needed with local partners, the different paces of decision-making. My role wasn’t just about words; it was about building bridges of understanding.
我全身心投入到工作中。在技術(shù)翻譯中，準(zhǔn)確性至關(guān)重要；在社區(qū)會(huì)議上，解釋項(xiàng)目影響和收益時(shí)，同理心和清晰的表達(dá)同樣必不可少。我的投入和化解溝通障礙的能力逐漸得到了認(rèn)可。幾個(gè)月內(nèi)，我的職責(zé)擴(kuò)展到協(xié)助撰寫(xiě)對(duì)外關(guān)系報(bào)告，并協(xié)調(diào)小規(guī)模的社區(qū)參與項(xiàng)目。我逐漸發(fā)現(xiàn)，華友并非只是進(jìn)行資源開(kāi)采，它還在為本地技術(shù)人員投入培訓(xùn)項(xiàng)目，建設(shè)包括改善通行道路在內(nèi)的基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施，并將環(huán)境保護(hù)措施置于重要位置。能夠參與這樣一個(gè)在中國(guó)投資與技術(shù)支持下推進(jìn)的、切實(shí)可見(jiàn)的發(fā)展合作項(xiàng)目，讓我由衷感到自豪。我不再只是做翻譯，而是在推動(dòng)進(jìn)步。
I threw myself into the work. Accuracy was paramount in technical translations. Empathy and clarity were essential in community meetings, explaining project impacts and benefits. My dedication and ability to smooth interactions were noticed. Within months, my responsibilities grew to include assisting with external relations reports and coordinating small-scale community engagement projects. I soon discovered that Huayou wasn’t just extracting resources； it was investing in training programs for local technicians, building infrastructure like improved access roads, and prioritizing environmental safeguards. Being part of this tangible development partnership, facilitated by Chinese investment and expertise, became a source of genuine pride. I was no longer just translating; I was facilitating progress.
與此同時(shí)，我的個(gè)人生活也迎來(lái)了意外的綻放。我在工作中遇見(jiàn)了Terrence，一位同樣在華友工作的充滿激情與責(zé)任感的津巴布韋同事。我們因共同的使命感與中津合作的獨(dú)特氛圍而相知并相愛(ài)。2022年末，我們?cè)诮虬筒柬f舉行了一場(chǎng)美麗且融合東西方元素的婚禮。令人欣喜的是，一年前，我們迎來(lái)了最大的喜悅——我們的兒子 Kyle。抱著他，就像抱著純粹的希望。
Amidst this professional whirlwind, my personal life blossomed in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I met Terrence, a passionate and driven Zimbabwean colleague also working at Huayou. Our shared commitment to national development and the unique environment of the Sino-Zimbabwean venture brought us together. We married in a beautiful, blended ceremony under the Zimbabwean sky in late 2022. Incredibly, our greatest joy arrived just a year ago, our son, Kyle. Holding him felt like holding pure hope.
然而，真正定義我在華友旅程的，是與中國(guó)同事深厚的情誼。他們不僅是同事，更是朋友、導(dǎo)師，甚至像家人一般。當(dāng)我為復(fù)雜技術(shù)詞匯困惑時(shí)，陳先生總會(huì)在午餐時(shí)耐心講解。主管強(qiáng)詩(shī)佳在我婚禮時(shí)送來(lái)了精美的中式首飾。我的孩子Kyle出生時(shí)，大家還集資送上了獨(dú)具心意的中國(guó)傳統(tǒng)祝福禮。那一天，陳先生熱情地嘗試吃sadza配燉肉，第一次用手吃飯時(shí)開(kāi)心大笑，而我也幾乎已熟練掌握筷子的使用。他還學(xué)會(huì)了用紹納語(yǔ)問(wèn)候：“mamuka sei?”，甚至掌握了更多詞匯。我們分享哈拉雷成長(zhǎng)的故事，也聆聽(tīng)他適應(yīng)津巴布韋生活的經(jīng)歷。春節(jié)時(shí)辦公室掛滿紅燈籠，而我的中國(guó)同事們也參加充滿色彩與律動(dòng)的紹納慶?；顒?dòng)。我們?cè)诓町愔谢ハ嗬斫?，他們?qiáng)調(diào)集體目標(biāo)的文化，與我們“烏班圖”（ubuntu）的社區(qū)精神相互呼應(yīng)；他們的嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)與正式，也常常在艱難工作中的歡笑里變得溫柔。我們?cè)诓町愔?，建立了信任、尊重與真摯的情感。
What has truly defined my journey at Huayou, however, is the profound sense of camaraderie with my Chinese colleagues. They weren’t just coworkers; they became friends, mentors, and an extended family. When I struggled with a complex technical term, Mr Chen would patiently explain it over lunch. Manager Qiang Shijia surprised me with a beautiful Chinese jewellery set as a wedding gift. When my child Kyle was born, the team pooled resources to send a stunning traditional Chinese congratulations. On this day Mr Chen enthusiastically tried sadza and stew, laughing good-naturedly at his first attempts to eat with his hands, while I, in turn, have almost mastered the art of using the chopsticks ‘筷子’. Mr Chen has also learnt how to greet in Shona, ‘mamuka sei?’ and has also learnt a few more Shona words. We share stories of my tales of growing up in Harare and his experiences adjusting to life in Zimbabwe. We celebrate Chinese New Year with red lanterns adorning the office, and my Chinese colleagues also join us for vibrant Shona celebrations. We navigate cultural differences, their focus on collective goals complementing our strong community spirit (ubuntu), their formality sometimes giving way to shared laughter during a challenging workday. We’ve built trust, respect, and genuine affection across the divide.
從2025年的今天回望，當(dāng)初沒(méi)能去天津的遺憾仍在，卻已被重新定義。我沒(méi)有作為留學(xué)生走進(jìn)中國(guó)，但通過(guò)中國(guó)朋友與合作，中國(guó)走進(jìn)了我的人生。國(guó)與國(guó)之間的友誼，常常被宏觀層面的貿(mào)易、項(xiàng)目與協(xié)議所描述，而于我而言，它真實(shí)地存在于華友這一個(gè)縮影里。它是我們協(xié)力解決技術(shù)難題時(shí)的成就，是休息時(shí)同事教我一句普通話，是看到Terrence與中國(guó)主管熱烈討論工作方案，是那條覆蓋在熟睡中的Kyle身上的中國(guó)絲被——一條跨越大陸的溫暖紐帶。
Looking back from this vantage point in 2025, the initial disappointment over Tianjin hasn’t vanished, but it’s been transformed. While I didn’t reach China as a student, China, through its people and its partnership with Zimbabwe reached me. The friendship between our nations, often discussed in terms of trade deals and infrastructure projects, lives for me in the microcosm of Huayou. It’s in the shared triumph of solving a complex mining challenge. It’s in the patient Mandarin lesson from a colleague during a coffee break. It’s in the sight of Terrence discussing administration work animatedly with a Chinese supervisor, finding common ground in operations. It’s in the gentle touch of the Chinese silk quilt covering our sleeping son, Kyle, a symbol of care spanning continents.
26歲的我，和中國(guó)的故事才剛剛開(kāi)始。學(xué)術(shù)夢(mèng)想雖然改變了軌跡，卻開(kāi)出了另一種豐厚的人生。如今我是一座橋梁——用大學(xué)學(xué)到的語(yǔ)言，不是在天津的課堂，而是在津巴布韋土地上，去促進(jìn)理解與合作。我是妻子、母親，也是為國(guó)家未來(lái)貢獻(xiàn)力量的職業(yè)女性。我也是中津友誼這幅錦繡篇章中的一條鮮活紐線。這段友誼，不只存在于宏偉藍(lán)圖，更浸潤(rùn)在每天的合作、相互尊重、共享餐桌與彼此真誠(chéng)看見(jiàn)中。我相信，未來(lái)的篇章只會(huì)讓這份情誼更加深厚；紐帶堅(jiān)韌，友誼如錦，愈發(fā)溫暖動(dòng)人。
At 26, my journey with China is just beginning. The academic dream evolved into a different, deeply rewarding reality. I am a bridge, using the language I mastered at university not for lectures in Tianjin, but for building understanding and partnership right here in Zimbabwe. I am a wife, a mother, and a professional contributing to my country’s future through a vital industry. And I am a living thread in the rich tapestry of Zimbabwe-China friendship. It’s a friendship built not only on grand visions but on daily acts of collaboration, mutual respect, shared meals, and the simple, powerful act of seeing each other as individuals, colleagues, and friends. This is my story so far, a story woven with resilience, unexpected turns, and the enduring, warm light of Sino-Zimbabwean camaraderie. The next chapters, I know, will only deepen these bonds. The threads are strong, and the fabric is beautiful.
▲華友津巴布韋項(xiàng)目
