"We have a song, named 'Beauty and Togetherness,' which depicts how people in different skin colors, and/or of different races, come together to create a beautiful world," says Vimbai Audrey Tanakah Murungweni, from Zimbabwe. Murungweni is backup singer for the Belt and Road Band, composed of four international students at Nanchang Hangkong University, in Nanchang, capital of East China's Jiangxi Province. The three other members are: Mnyaga Daniel Rukiko, vocal and keyboard player, from Tanzania; Abel J Chulu, bass player, from Zambia; and, Isaiah Nyasha Chikomo, drummer, from Zimbabwe.

Impressions of China

Rukiko's hometown is Dar es Salaam. He arrived in China for the first time in March 2015, after he completed his high school studies. Compared with Dar es Salaam, Rukiko says Nanchang has taller buildings and more cars, and the capital of Jiangxi is colder in winter, but intensely hotter in summer. "As soon as I entered Nanchang Hangkong University, I made many new friends, with some of whom I shared my interest in music. And that was why I joined the Belt and Road Band," Rukiko says.

The band was established in 2013 by several international students, who were studying at Nanchang Hangkong University. The band's members have changed over the years, as the founding members completed their studies in China, and new students arrived and took their places in the band.

Chulu arrived in China during the summer of 2012, when he enrolled in the university's aeronautical engineering program. He left China to return home after he completed his undergraduate studies, but he returned to China in 2019, when he began studying for a master's degree again at Nanchang Hangkong University. He received a scholarship from the People's Government of Jiangxi Province.

"I had no idea what to expect when I came to China, for the first time. I had no prior word from anyone, neither any pictures depicting our campus, nor the city of Nanchang. I was astonished by the number of basketball courts on campus, and by the numerous students playing on the courts," Chulu says. He realized the love that Chinese have for basketball. "As I explored more parts of the campus, I saw more of its beauty, from its infrastructure to various sceneries," he adds. Chulu joined the band in 2020, at the invitation of Rukiko.

Murungweni is working toward a master's degree in civi l engineer ing at Nanchang Hangkong University. She arrived in China in 2016, and she completed her bachelor's degree in civil engineering at the university. As the years passed, she noticed everything in the city was improving, and more quickly than what she had ever witnessed in her country. "Welcoming" was her first impression of Nanchang. "I found everyone — my teachers and fellow schoolmates — warm and friendly, making me feel like I was with a big family," she says. Murungweni joined the band in July 2022.

Changes Brought by BRI

This year marks the 10th anniversary of China's proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). During an interview with Women of China, the band members talked about their understanding of the remarkable changes that have resulted from BRI, especially the changes within their respective countries.

Chulu says BRI has definitely influenced his home country in a positive way. "I read in the media about a hydroelectric power plant, which increases power generation and will alleviate the power shortages that my country has been struggling with for years. The BRI has fostered sustainable development to business and production, which has consequently benefitted ordinary families and their livelihoods," he explains.

While she was growing up, Murungweni witnessed many Chinese helping with the construction of roads, stadiums and malls in Zimbabwe. "They normally completed the construction projects in a short period of time, and with great designs of those venues. This was one reason why I chose to study civil engineering in China," Murungweni explains. Given the improvements in both quantity and quality of the roads and shopping centers in her country, she says it is now much more convenient for people to travel from one place to another, and to maintain close communications.

Rukiko lists a few of the BRI projects in Tanzania, including the expansion of the ports in Dar es Salaam, Tanga and the Coastal Region. "The projects have enhanced the ability for more, and bigger, ships to dock. Most of our small businesses' imported items, and our farmers' agricultural products, for export, can be transported in a much easier way," he says.

Deepening Their Bond

Murungweni was encouraged by her teacher to join the band. For her, the band is like a "family," with whom she shares her love for music, and with whom she enjoys the fun of singing and composing music. The band's members often practice together, and they sometimes perform during the university's activities. They have also been invited to perform off campus.

"Traveling, performing and writing music, with the Belt and Road Band, has given me a lot of opportunities to learn about Chinese culture and history, especially the local culture and art in Jiangxi Province," says Rukiko. For example, the band visited Jingdezhen, where the members were taught the origin of porcelain and ceramics in China, and they had a try at making porcelain crafts.

Chulu believes playing music with a group of skilled and passionate bandmates has provided him with a great opportunity to learn and grow. "I think one of our songs, which in particular catches my attention, is the 'Chinese Dream.' Apart from its musical arrangement, it expresses that opportunities are available for many people to realize their dreams." He concludes with a few lyrics of that song: "So what is it the Chinese Dream? You want to be a doctor, an engineer … You can be what you want to be."

Photos Supplied by Interviewees 

(Women of China English Monthly June 2023 issue)