Taizhou Stories Around the World | Building more than structures in Botswana

Editor's Note: Over the past three decades since Taizhou was established as a prefecture-level city in Jiangsu, tens of thousands of people from the city have ventured abroad in pursuit of their dreams, making their mark in business, science, technology, culture and other fields. The "Taizhou Stories Around the World" series shares the stories of Taizhou natives who have built careers abroad and contributed to global exchanges.

Zhu Dexiang attends the celebration of China's 70th anniversary in Beijing. [Photo/ WeChat account: tzwq2018]

When Zhu Dexiang arrived in Botswana in 1998, he had little more than a six-person team and the task of opening up a new market for Zhengtai Group, headquartered in Taizhou, Jiangsu province. More than two decades later, his work has grown into a story of business expansion and local engagement.

Starting from scratch, Zhu and his team went door to door to meet potential clients, while spending long days on construction sites learning local practices, gradually building the expertise and reputation needed to establish a foothold in Botswana.

One of the defining projects of his career was the University of Botswana Faculty of Medicine. At the time, it was one of the country's largest and most technically demanding medical construction projects. Zhu assembled a dedicated team and oversaw every stage of construction, from refining the overall plan to conducting daily site inspections and maintaining strict standards for quality and workplace safety. The project was completed on schedule, earning recognition from the local government and community.

Mokgweetsi Masisi, former president of Botswana, attended the 6th skills competition of Zhengtai Group in 2016. [Photo/ WeChat account: tzwq2018]

The company has also invested in developing local talent. Since 2009, it has funded annual skills training programs for local employees, helping thousands of people gain professional and technical expertise.

Over the past two decades, Zhu has also made community involvement part of the company's work in Botswana. It has funded the construction of schools, homes and a police reception center, supported children's homes and tribal leadership institutions, and sponsored local cultural and sporting activities.

In 2017, he helped establish the Taizhou Liaison Office in Botswana, creating a platform for closer exchanges between Taizhou and Africa.