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开放 坚持 与时俱进
中国驻津大使转发：我与中津友谊的故事
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2026-01-10
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浏览量：45
导语
中津建交45周年之际，中国驻津巴布韦大使馆开展征文活动“我与中津友谊的故事”。PLZ公司津方员工的投稿获得一等奖，中国驻津巴布韦大使周鼎在社交平台上发布了该文章。作者娜塔莎·马查亚（Natasha Machaya）——一位妻子、一位母亲，也是一位为津巴布韦未来贡献力量的年轻职业女性，所讲述的一段动人故事。
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.
坐在华友钴业津巴布韦锂矿项目的办公桌前，选矿设备节奏性的轰鸣声已成熟悉的背景乐。我凝视着屏幕上的照片——那是我在津巴布韦大学的毕业典礼，我手握“汉语专业优秀学生”证书，脸上交织着疲惫与喜悦。那只是三年前的2022年。而在2026年的今天，前方的道路既显得踏实，又与一个充满活力的未来紧密相连——这个未来深深植根于我的祖国津巴布韦，与那个用语言俘获我内心的国家——中国之间绵延不息的友谊之中。我叫 Natasha Machaya，出生于1999年，这是我在这最初25年人生里，由理想、务实与意外温暖交织而成的故事。
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.
我对中国的迷恋，并非源于宏大的地缘政治，而是始于哈拉雷一张海报上汉字流畅优雅的舞动。当朋友们梦想着伦敦或纽约时，我却不由自主地被东方吸引。在津巴布韦大学，我全身心投入普通话学习，这份热情甚至让我自己都感到惊讶。声调是一座需要攀登的高山，把 mā（妈）念成 mǎ（马），让我多次接受导师耐心的纠正。汉字如同精巧复杂的拼图。然而，中国的历史、诗词，以及博大恢弘的文化规模，持续激发着我的决心。无数个与课本和单词卡相伴的夜晚，成了我的常态。最终，在2022年，我以汉语专业第一名的成绩毕业，那种自豪无比强烈，是对无数付出与坚定热爱的最好印证。终极梦想似乎就在眼前——我收到了天津大学国际关系硕士项目的录取通知书。握着那封信，仿佛握住了一张通往我多年潜心研究文明核心的入场券。天津！繁忙的街道、古老的寺庙与现代摩天大楼并立的景象，以及深度的学术沉浸，在我脑海中不断浮现。
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，欣喜的心情很快被现实的沉重冲击。高达数千美元的学费、跨越洲际的机票费用、住宿开销，以及在中国一线城市的生活成本，如同一座座难以逾越的高山，令我的家庭无力承担。我申请的奖学金始终未能如愿。漫步天津大学校园、在中国怀抱中求学的梦想逐渐褪色，取而代之的是深切而沉重的失落感，仿佛就在我触及它的一刻，一扇门猛然关闭。
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，那条将我与中国相连的纽带虽承受拉扯却并未断裂，只是走向了一个意想不到的转折。华友钴业津巴布韦锂矿项目——这一开发我国丰富锂资源（被誉为“世界电池的白色黄金”）的重要中津合资项目，正积极寻求精通普通话的本地人才。我的导师转交了我的简历。那一刻，它仿佛是一根生命线，让我即便在学术之路被迫中断的情况下，仍能与我热爱的语言和国家保持联系。怀着对未能前往天津的遗憾，却也下定决心继续前行，我于2022年末加入华友，担任初级联络员兼翻译。
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.
华友成为了我意料之外的课堂和试炼场。我最初的工作以实务为主：翻译技术文件，并在技术娴熟的中国工程师、地质专家、管理人员与津巴布韦本地员工及社区代表之间搭建沟通桥梁。这与文学分析的世界相去甚远，却充满活力且至关重要。我很快意识到，大学赋予我的不仅仅是语言能力，更是文化理解力。我学会了把握其中的细微差别：在中国商业文化中等级秩序与“面子”（面子 - miànzi）的重要性，与本地合作伙伴沟通时有时需要的直接表达方式，以及不同的决策节奏。我的角色不只是传递词句，更是在搭建理解的桥梁。
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。在技术翻译中，准确性至关重要；在社区会议上，解释项目影响和收益时，同理心和清晰的表达同样必不可少。我的投入和化解沟通障碍的能力逐渐得到了认可。几个月内，我的职责扩展到协助撰写对外关系报告，并协调小规模的社区参与项目。我逐渐发现，华友并非只是进行资源开采，它还在为本地技术人员投入培训项目，建设包括改善通行道路在内的基础设施，并将环境保护措施置于重要位置。能够参与这样一个在中国投资与技术支持下推进的、切实可见的发展合作项目，让我由衷感到自豪。我不再只是做翻译，而是在推动进步。
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.
与此同时，我的个人生活也迎来了意外的绽放。我在工作中遇见了Terrence，一位同样在华友工作的充满激情与责任感的津巴布韦同事。我们因共同的使命感与中津合作的独特氛围而相知并相爱。2022年末，我们在津巴布韦举行了一场美丽且融合东西方元素的婚礼。令人欣喜的是，一年前，我们迎来了最大的喜悦——我们的儿子 Kyle。抱着他，就像抱着纯粹的希望。
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，真正定义我在华友旅程的，是与中国同事深厚的情谊。他们不仅是同事，更是朋友、导师，甚至像家人一般。当我为复杂技术词汇困惑时，陈先生总会在午餐时耐心讲解。主管强诗佳在我婚礼时送来了精美的中式首饰。我的孩子Kyle出生时，大家还集资送上了独具心意的中国传统祝福礼。那一天，陈先生热情地尝试吃sadza配炖肉，第一次用手吃饭时开心大笑，而我也几乎已熟练掌握筷子的使用。他还学会了用绍纳语问候：“mamuka sei?”，甚至掌握了更多词汇。我们分享哈拉雷成长的故事，也聆听他适应津巴布韦生活的经历。春节时办公室挂满红灯笼，而我的中国同事们也参加充满色彩与律动的绍纳庆祝活动。我们在差异中互相理解，他们强调集体目标的文化，与我们“乌班图”（ubuntu）的社区精神相互呼应；他们的严谨与正式，也常常在艰难工作中的欢笑里变得温柔。我们在差异之上，建立了信任、尊重与真挚的情感。
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.
从2025年的今天回望，当初没能去天津的遗憾仍在，却已被重新定义。我没有作为留学生走进中国，但通过中国朋友与合作，中国走进了我的人生。国与国之间的友谊，常常被宏观层面的贸易、项目与协议所描述，而于我而言，它真实地存在于华友这一个缩影里。它是我们协力解决技术难题时的成就，是休息时同事教我一句普通话，是看到Terrence与中国主管热烈讨论工作方案，是那条覆盖在熟睡中的Kyle身上的中国丝被——一条跨越大陆的温暖纽带。
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岁的我，和中国的故事才刚刚开始。学术梦想虽然改变了轨迹，却开出了另一种丰厚的人生。如今我是一座桥梁——用大学学到的语言，不是在天津的课堂，而是在津巴布韦土地上，去促进理解与合作。我是妻子、母亲，也是为国家未来贡献力量的职业女性。我也是中津友谊这幅锦绣篇章中的一条鲜活纽线。这段友谊，不只存在于宏伟蓝图，更浸润在每天的合作、相互尊重、共享餐桌与彼此真诚看见中。我相信，未来的篇章只会让这份情谊更加深厚；纽带坚韧，友谊如锦，愈发温暖动人。
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.
▲华友津巴布韦项目
