一 | Editor's Note:
In an era of profound global shifts and increasingly complex regional dynamics, a proper understanding of the world must be rooted in "grounded experience" and localized insights. Global Times English edition, in collaboration with the Academy of International and Regional Communication Studies, Communication University of China, is proud to launch "Local Insights," an English-language column dedicated to original, field-based observations.
We invite Chinese scholars and professionals who are studying, conducting exchanges, or working outside China, as well as international students and friends living and studying in China who are familiar with the social contexts of their home countries or third countries, to begin from first-hand field experience and engage with social, cultural, and contemporary issues beyond China. In the fifth article of this column, drawing on her on‑the‑ground experience as a Chinese exchange scholar, the author observes a South Africa Freedom Day memorial gathering, revealing how local politics unfolds through collective singing, dancing, and grassroots participation, while also reflecting on the gap between political liberation and economic justice.
As a PhD student, I am currently on an exchange program at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, with support from the China Scholarship Council. Since arriving here, I have developed a habit of stepping beyond campus whenever possible. Community meetings, municipal events and public gatherings have become a vital way for me to engage with local life. This time, a local friend recommended that I attend a memorial event in Kariega, organized by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in honor of its former president, Phumzile John Gomomo. Beyond that, I had little sense of what kind of gathering I was about to enter.
It was on the way that I noticed the streets were unusually vibrant. Groups of people were dressed in colorful attire, with bright Xhosa headscarves and garments bearing political symbols. My friend then reminded me that it was April 27, which is Freedom Day in South Africa. On this day in 1994, South Africa held its first non-racial election, formally ending apartheid and inaugurating democratic rule. Over the past three decades, Freedom Day commemorates political liberation, while also inviting recurring reflection on whether the promise of freedom has been fully realized. In that sense, Freedom Day marks an important moment for observing contemporary South African politics and social sentiment.
From street to hall: Entering Freedom Day
The event was scheduled to begin at 10 am, and we arrived shortly before the hour. Yet there were not many people present. Banners of COSATU, the South African Communist Party (SACP), and the African National Congress (ANC) had already been displayed inside the hall, quietly framing the political context of the gathering. Although my understanding was still limited, I could already sense that their presence mattered. COSATU, SACP and ANC represent key forces in South Africa's political landscape, historically linked through the "Tripartite Alliance" formed during the anti-apartheid struggle and sustained in various forms since 1994. I could see that this was not simply a local gathering, but one embedded within a much longer political tradition.
What struck me first was how different the atmosphere was from what I had expected of a political gathering. There was no sense of urgency or visible tension. My friend introduced me around, and we greeted each other through handshakes, embraces and brief conversations, with a familiarity that suggested long-standing connections. Someone also greeted me with "ni hao." The early autumn wind carried a chill that felt almost like winter. However, the mood was unmistakably different. A sense of warmth emerged from the way people related to one another.
We took our seats in the front row. As I looked around, the hall was gradually filling up. I noticed that people wore headscarves, skirts and short-sleeved shirts layered under heavier coats, with ANC insignia visible in various forms. Every time I made eye contact with someone, they would respond with a warm smile. Even as the only foreign face in the hall, I felt no sense of awkwardness or exclusion.
When music preceded speech
The atmosphere felt far more open than I had imagined. There was no formal signal from a host. Yet, almost imperceptibly, singing and dancing began to fill the space. At first, it was only a few voices. Then others joined. A group of older women stood up, stepping lightly as their bodies moved with the rhythm. Their arms tracing steady patterns in the air, moved with an ease that suggested a deep sense of rhythm. Around them, others began to join in. Someone clapped, someone responded in song, while others stepped forward into the center, aligning themselves with the unfolding rhythm.
Before I fully understood what was happening, someone gently pulled me into the group. I followed, trying to imitate the movements. It didn't take long for me to realize that participation did not depend on learning the steps. Once inside, you were already part of it.
Meanwhile, a more distinct call began to emerge, repeated at intervals: "Amandla" (Power) "Awethu" (To the People). The words rose above the singing and then dissolved back into it. Song, chant and movement overlapped, making it difficult to distinguish where one ended and another began. At that moment, I found myself wondering: was this a political gathering, or a celebration?
It was not until around midday that the event formally began. Speakers gradually took their places, and the hall shifted into a more structured atmosphere. What I did not expect, however, was that the mayor I had followed on social media was among those arriving. Seeing her there came as a surprise. I didn't expect to see local officials there, let alone find myself within what was clearly part of their political life.
The memorial lecture brought together members of the ANC, alliance partners and the broader community in a moment of reflection and renewed commitment. The gathering honored the enduring legacy of Phumzile John Gomomo and his immense contribution to the struggle for workers' rights and social justice.
They reflected on Cde John Gomomo as one of the most dedicated worker leaders produced by the Congress Movement, emphasizing unity, organization and ongoing activism as essential to advancing the goals of the democratic movement. Gomomo was an icon in the labor movement. He devoted his entire life to serving workers and is remembered as a hero of the struggle for freedom, democracy and workers' rights. His contributions were situated within the broader historical moment of South Africa's transition to democracy - a transition whose achievements are commemorated each year on Freedom Day, marking the political liberation attained in 1994.
The lecture also raised a question that resonated widely: when political freedom was achieved, did it also translate into economic freedom? Gomomo's legacy was not only invoked as history, but also a lens through which to examine the present.
Speakers highlighted the ongoing challenges facing workers today, including high unemployment and the rising cost of living, which continue to strain working-class households. Against this backdrop, unity, organization and sustained activism were presented not as symbolic gestures, but as necessary responses.
The themes of the lecture aligned closely with the spirit of International Workers' Day, linking past struggles with present realities and ongoing demands. In this sense, the lecture stood not only as a tribute, but also as a call to action, urging those in attendance to carry forward the values, discipline and commitment that defined his life of service.
After each speaker delivered their speech, people rose from their seats, singing and clapping. The officials on stage joined in as well, blurring the distinction between speaker and audience. The atmosphere remained lively, with an almost continuous sense of energy. Gradually, I began to realize that the event was not simply a commemorative one, but rather a form of political practice.
What stood out to me was that the mayor mentioned China in her speech. She spoke of the strong relationship between China and South Africa, noting the presence of Chinese automotive companies in Nelson Mandela Bay and expressing hope for further cooperation. After her speech, I was invited to take a photo with her. She shook my hand, welcomed me as an international student in South Africa, and expressed her positive view of China.
I also had a brief exchange with Xolile Nqatha, the provincial secretary of the SACP in Eastern Cape. Reflecting on the history of leftist movements in South Africa, he noted that both the SACP and the Communist Party of China were founded in 1921. He also remarked that it remains rare to see Chinese scholars present at such gatherings. I had not imagined that I would be speaking with government officials, which initially caught me off guard. For me, this brief encounter made China's presence in South Africa feel less like a matter of diplomatic language and more like something embedded in local political life.
The event continued until around 3 pm. As I stepped outside, the surrounding streets were noticeably more crowded. The parking area was nearly full. Roadside vendors were selling clothing marked with political symbols, and media crews remained on site, documenting the scene. People left gradually. Many paused to exchange farewells, embracing one another before leaving, as if the rhythm of the gathering had not yet fully ended.
The experience reshaped my understanding of what a political gathering could be. In a global context where political expression is increasingly fragmented, a mode of public engagement built around rhythm and participation offers a different way of understanding political life. Here, politics did not take shape solely through institutions, procedures or formal speech. It could be serious, yet also warm. It could be articulated through language, but it could just as readily take shape through song, movement and collective response.
This year also marks the 32nd anniversary of the end of apartheid. It represents the restoration of dignity, equality before the law and the collective promise that South Africa would never again be a society governed by exclusion, injustice or oppression. In the community, I saw how residents engaged with the local government, participated in decision-making processes and worked collectively to build safer, more inclusive neighborhoods. For me, the gathering became an entry point into contemporary political life in South Africa, revealing something that cannot be fully grasped from a distance.
The author is a PhD student in African Area Studies at the College of Foreign Languages, Zhejiang Normal University
。 8月21日上午，石家庄市裕华区仓盛路旁的银灰色建筑前排起蜿蜒数百米的长龙，标志性的蓝色菱形LOGO在阳光下格外醒目。作为山姆布局全国的第68家门店，山姆会员商店首店开门迎客。山姆的到来，是石家庄零售业版图变化的最新注脚。
二 | 这两年，盒马鲜生、京东七鲜、小象超市等品牌相继“抢滩”，群雄逐鹿，各有章法。外来品牌扎堆进驻、本土商超加速转型，石家庄乃至零售业正在经历一场以品质消费为导向的深刻重塑。
8月21日，市民在石家庄山姆会员商店购物。日报记者 史晟全摄凭独特的销售模式“入场”走进山姆，扑面而来的不是传统商超的琳琅满目，而是9米高的仓储式货架和3米宽的主通道构成的通透空间。一楼入口处，1．8米高的熊猫玩偶吸引顾客驻足打卡。支持语音交互的仿生四足智能机器人在卖场内互动，不少家长带着孩子停下脚步进行体验。但真正定义“高端”的，是货架上的产品。
三 | 各类自有品牌商品摆在C位，海捕大虾、整条大鲅鱼、土著黄公鸡等适配本地口味的商品悉数亮相，西班牙冰鲜伊比利亚黑猪肉、加拿大3A级谷饲牛肉等高端肉类占据一席……每一件都经过精挑细选，让“闭眼入”成为可能。
四 | “年年续费，这次山姆开在了家门口，终于不用跑外地了。”石家庄市民郝苏红是山姆的资深会员，开业当天，她带着7岁的儿子李慕珵赶来复购菠萝包。小家伙原本在山西旅游不肯回，一听山姆开业便催着返程。郝苏红说：“这里的牛排、羊排品质让人放心，正考虑把普通卡升成卓越卡，计划每周来囤一次。”“交260元年费才能进的超市”——这是很多消费者对山姆的第一印象。这道“入场门槛”背后，藏着山姆区别于传统商超的核心逻辑：它的目标客群，是愿意为高品质商品付费的中高收入家庭。如何俘获这些消费者的心？首店仅设置约4000个SKU（最小库存单位），约等于一家传统大卖场的五分之一，在有限的SKU范围内，每一款单品都经过全球采购团队层层筛选，承担着“被反复复购”的任务。这种少而精的选品逻辑，省去了消费者在海量商品中做决策的时间成本，逐步建立起“闭眼入”的信任。超市不再只是追求客流的“收租”模式，而是转向经营用户的“买手”模式。这种用专业选品换用户信任的模式，还体现在质价比的平衡上。从石家庄市桥西区专程赶来的马国娟和女儿逛了两个多小时，除了小青柠饮料、榴莲大福、蒜味虾片等网红爆款，还特意选购了整块猪肋排和家庭装洗发水。在她看来，山姆并非只靠“高端”标签吸引客流，而是在品质基础上兼顾了性价比，这也是其能支撑家庭大宗囤货的核心优势。“之前已经用‘极速达’下过单，今天还是没忍住来凑首店开业的热闹。
五 | ”顾客赵艳的一句话说出了很多消费者的心声。如今，线上下单补日常、线下到店做囤货，已经成为新的消费习惯。依托“大店＋云仓”的全渠道布局，山姆不仅突破了门店边界，还将购物本身打造成家庭休闲场景。开业前两个月，“极速达”已在石家庄提前上线，并两次扩容，覆盖中心城区核心片区，周边3至5公里居民线上下单，最快1小时送达。
六 | 这种“线下体验＋线上履约”的模式，既保留仓储店的囤货特质，又适配即时消费的日常需求。城市与品牌双向奔赴山姆将首店落子石家庄，不是偶然的商业选择，而是城市消费潜力与品牌扩张战略的精准契合，是一场双向奔赴。在省商业联合会会长张彦峰看来，山姆选择石家庄，是对这座城市消费能力、人口规模和营商环境的认可。
七 | 一座省会城市的购买力和消费升级需求，是山姆落地的一大原因。
八 | 近年来，作为常住人口超1100万的省会城市，石家庄居民收入稳步增长，消费结构不断优化，今年1至7月，全市限额以上单位消费品零售额达713．7亿元。然而，高端仓储会员零售长期处于缺位状态，本地家庭批量采购优质商品，往往要驱车前往京津。需求已然显现，供给尚存缺口，这是山姆看到的市场机遇。
九 | 不少业内人士表示，山姆落地将填补石家庄高端会员制零售市场的空白。石家庄的优势，不止于自身。近年来，石家庄正加快打造区域消费中心城市，先后获评全国现代商贸流通体系试点城市等多个国家级试点，对周边区域的辐射能力持续增强，这进一步放大了山姆的商业想象空间。这一点，在开业当天的停车场得到验证。记者看到，拥有1150个车位的停车场内，保定、邢台、邯郸乃至山西、河南的外地车辆比比皆是。山姆开业前会员卡办理突破3万张，其中约20％来自外地。“以前都要去北京天津，现在在石家庄就能逛山姆。
十 | ”来自定州的李颖，道出了众多跨城消费者的心声。“山姆”二字的更深层意义，在于一个链接全国乃至全球的供应链体系。拥有丰富的农业和食品资源，君乐宝牛奶、迁西板栗、张家口燕麦等优势产品，正需要这样的渠道走向更广阔的市场。“我们将持续挖掘本地优质资源，通过供应链共创和品质管理，把好产品变成稳定、可持续的商品，推向全国。”山姆鲜食采购负责人曲琰表示。
十一 | 以供应链协同创造双向价值，已有先例。近年来，盒马、七鲜、小象等品质型零售首店接连进驻石家庄，既印证了首店经济的蓬勃态势，补齐了本地零售业态的短板，又完成了供应链层面的双向赋能，把全球好货带进来，也让好物走出去。倒逼本土零售业求新求变热闹开业的背后，更值得关注的，是山姆将给石家庄乃至零售业带来怎样的“新变量”。
十二 | 从终端需求看，消费升级与消费分层的趋势愈发明显。马国娟的购物习惯颇具代表性：家庭大宗囤货选山姆，日常蔬菜面点去家门口的信誉楼、北国超市，下班应急备菜则用盒马、七鲜等即时零售平台。“有一次在七鲜App上下单，不到15分钟外卖员就敲了门。”这样的速度让马国娟颇为惊喜。
十三 | 零售业态的丰富，给消费者带来实实在在的选择权。从“只能去哪买”变成“看需求决定去哪买”，消费观念也由此从追逐价格转向匹配需求。这背后，也体现出市民消费理念从“性价比”向“质价比”的跃迁。消费者不再只盯着单价高低，而是综合考量品质、效率与时间成本。付费会员制的普及，也让“为选品信任和服务价值付费”逐渐被接受。从行业视角看，山姆落地带来的影响，不是多了一个竞争对手，而是树立了一个关于“商品力”和“会员信任”的参照系，从而推动整个行业从价格内卷走向价值比拼。去年8月，盒马鲜生进入石家庄，它不单靠商品品质，还联动多种会员体验以及每天消费可领的免费菜，激活复购。
十四 | 小象超市在石家庄没有声势浩大的开业宣传，而是悄悄出现在消费者的手机点单列表里。29元就包邮，价格打了下来，品质也没有掉队。新品牌轮番登场，本土商超坐不住了。永辉超市长安万达广场店去年完成了“胖东来式调改”；裕华区的信誉楼超市进行全方位装修提档，从服装分区到餐饮业态一一补齐；北国超市Ulife北国店经过三个月的装修升级，以全新面貌面向消费者。在张彦峰看来，山姆短期内并不会颠覆本地商业基本盘，消费者不会彻底抛弃长期习惯的本土商超，只是多了一种周期性囤货的选择。但真正的冲击在于，一旦传统商超比品质拼不过山姆、比便捷赢不了社区店，“卡在中间”那批客群就会被抽走，这种“中间地带”将成为本土企业最危险的竞争区间。从城市格局看，山姆的选址更是一步“补白”的妙棋。长期以来，石家庄零售商业集中于中山路一条主轴，北国商城与勒泰中心、万象城和新百广场两大商圈承载了大部分中高端客流。山姆落子裕华区东南片区，不仅填补了区域大型商业综合体的空白，还有望将这片区域从城改缝合带变身商业新地标，进一步提升东南片区的城市吸引力。“山姆的到来，只是石家庄零售变革的一个新起点。”张彦峰说，未来的市场竞争终究要回归商品力和服务力本身，谁能读懂本地消费者的真实需求，持续输出匹配预期的产品与服务，谁就能赢得市场。当满载而归的人们陆续走出卖场，当外地车牌的车辆有序驶离停车场，山姆带来的零售变革才刚刚开篇。（日报见习记者 尹春月 侯 淼）。
十五 |
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