Sat, 05 Aug 2017 10:42:35 +0000
Dear Editor,
A LETTER in the Daily Nation Newspaper dated July 31, 2017 authored by a Ms. Phiri, made very sad but interesting reading.
Fortunately, the author confessed that she has nothing against the Chinese people but instead condemns Africans and Zambians in particular for their laziness which has allowed the Chinese to take advantage of our situation.
I do agree with her that the Chinese are investing in land, properties, businesses etc. while Zambians watch. But is it fair to condemn or put a blame on the Chinese people?
No! Because these are hard-working people, who usually prioritise work before eating! It’s no secret, the Chinese economic growth, as we know it, has been averaging 10 percent per annum for about 30 years.
While our Chinese brothers are growing their economy and working hard, we Zambians want luxury vehicles, high paying jobs and big houses. Even a person not educated will ask for a high salary even when they are not qualified. It’s such a shame.
The Chinese are just like the Rwandese only that the earlier just has access to huge financial power. Look at our Rwandese brothers. They are busy growing their businesses in shanty compounds and giving us things on credit, and tomorrow we will be saying they are taking over the country. Let us just compete. Botswana and South Africans are managing to compete with foreigners.
At least I agree when Ms. Phiri says we Zambians are greedy and should be blamed. We want to sell land and property to the Chinese because they pay well. But what do we use the money for when we sell these properties?
It’s no secret. Most of it is spent on expensive holidays, extra marital affairs, luxuries which we cannot sustain, but the Chinese use their wealth very well and this is the reason they are able to increase their investment in different sectors or even informal sector.
Ask yourself, which Zambian wants to buy a chicken for K60? We can now brag of buying a chicken for K30 even K25.00 ngati wa tondela bwino (when you haggle well), because of the Chinese thus putting food on the table of the marginalised.
Let us not be quick to condemn the Chinese. Yes, we have a few disgruntled individuals among the Chinese but even us Zambians can we consider ourselves as being a perfect lot?
Let us just learn to co-exist and let our government put in place an enabling environment for the citizens to flourish as is the case in Botswana and Dubai where it is a law for foreigners to partner with locals in all their businesses. All in all, we cannot overlook Chinese investment in education, agriculture, textiles, construction, manufacturing, mining and telecommunications. Whether we like it or not, we need these guys to help us develop our nation. The best we can do is to partner with them so that we learn and make money.
If we are not ready to hold the bull by the horns, then let us give those that can to do it, just as Dangote has done.
Alfred Silungwe
Lusaka
