A statue of the founder of the People's Republic of China, Mao Zedong, was unveiled in Windhoek on Wednesday.

The design of the bronze statue is an initiative of Namibia's Ambassador to China, Dr. Elia Kaiyamo.

A famous Chinese sculptor, Yuan Xikun, created the sculpture with the support of the Chinese Embassy in Namibia and the Namibian government. 

The statue of Chairman Zedong Mao, as he was also known, was set up at the Mao Zedong High School in Windhoek.

He was the founder and leader of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and the People's Republic of China. 

Under Zedong's leadership, the Chinese government provided political, economic, and military support to many African countries, including Namibia, during the fight for their liberation.

The Moa Zedong High School was constructed in 2016 by the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture and was funded by the People's Republic of China,.

It has over 700 learners and 26 teachers, with more than 50% of the learners coming from local communities.

"This is the first statue of Chairman Mao Zedong in Africa. Equally significant is that it stands on one of the few high schools in the world named after Chairman Mao. I believe that for every Chinese who learns this, they will feel a sense of special closeness with this school, with |Khomas Region, and with Namibia as a whole. This statue will surely become an eternal symbol of China's and Namibia's friendship,"  stated China's Ambassador, Zhou Weiping.

Namibia's ambassador to China, Dr. Elia Kayamo, pointed out that the event is a testament to the strong relations between the two countries.

"This important event is a diplomatic success for Namibia and China and for our relations. The event serves as a symbol of appreciation for the critical contribution that China brought to Namibia."

The Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka, said the generous Chinese donation underlines the fruitful partnership between the two nations.

The school is equipped with state-of-the-art sports facilities and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities.

"Through innovation, creativity, and technology, we can preserve our heritage and amplify social and economic benefits. Moreover, heritage enables us to understand the development of common human practices, monuments, nature, and the social and economic impacts they bring to our world."

The Chinese sculptor Yuan Xikun, who started working on the sculpture last year, marked the 33rd anniversary of relations between China and Namibia.