Mon, 31 Jul 2017 11:57:24 +0000
I HAVE nothing against the Chinese. I actually think that they have really helped in building infrastructure for African countries.
But their new model of expansion into Africa is alarming. As Africans we have got it all wrong.
Look at Zambia for example, the Chinese have strategic positions in all sectors of the economy.
In media, they have Topstar, they are in mines, construction sector (mei mei etc), agriculture sector (small scale indigenous Zambians can no longer compete).
On land, these guys are buying our land and properties in strategic places with impunity.
Why am I worried? President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya has proclaimed that Indians are now an indigenous tribe in Kenya.
He did this just before elections. His calculation is basically to get the Indian vote because most Indians have Kenyan citizenship! I have nothing against Indians.
We suffered together during the colonial times, we were oppressed together but can Africans be given the same status in India?
Where did all this start? After changing to a market economy in 1991, we lied to ourselves that we needed to privatise all public entities.
Zambians at that time had no money because for 27 years it was a crime to even own US$1. So foreigners came in and bought us off.
If we controlled 90 percent of businesses in Zambia that time, today we control less than 10 percent.
We have been relegated to just owning Tuntembas and small real estates even though the Chinese are busy building large estates to rent out to us.
After 15 years, it will be difficult to negotiate with them. They would own most land, most property and businesses.
I hope they wouldn’t have bought Zesco or Zamtel then!!! Who is to blame? Ourselves!!!!
Look at how patriotic Russians are? Generally, Russian citizens had no money prior to 1991 but after they liberalised their economy, they sold property to themselves creating oligarchs.
These guys heavily invest in Russia and have helped keep wealth locally. The Russian government also chose commercialisation against privatisation that’s why you have huge companies like Gasprom that are able to fund huge government projects like hosting the Olympics and World Cup.
Trump in the USA has realised that his country is being looted, hence the America first programme!
What is happening in Zambia?
We are busy fighting amongst ourselves on tribal and political lines whilst China is busy buying us off!
By the time we finish fighting and reconcile, there will be nothing to share!!!
The blame is not on Government only! Most of it is on us greedy citizens. When you are selling property, you just look to sell at high prices to the Chinese forgetting the implications!
Your children and grand children will be relegated to shanty compounds. Look at Zambians seriously cutting down the mukula and other hard wood selling it to the Chinese!
Why can’t they cut the trees in Asia? Government banned the chopping down of the mukula and its Zambians who rushed to the media to blame government.
Who does that mean? Operation Mitengo or whatever it is called has come at the right time.
Let security forces man our forests. You can chop down our sources of oxygen to go and make beds in Asia?
I am not anti-Chinese. I am just saying our trade is unfair! It’s impossible to get permanent residence in China or let alone citizenship but they have it all easy in Zambia.
ZRA and ACC are busy following small Zambian businesses leaving the Chinese to flourish.
Just near the stadium, Mr Bowman Lusambo ordered the demolition of a Chinese car wash but it’s still standing.
But if it were Zambian, that place would have been demolished, and sold to Chinese to build a block making factory.
Let us develop a sense of patriotism. Even this article will attract negativity from Zambians even though it’s for their own sake but if I write this in the U.K., I was going to be knighted.
By the way, the UK. has lost its identity because of the same open door policy.
Please let Zambians take up strategic positions! Let us stop fighting.
ZRA should concentrate on foreign businesses especially those that issue invoices in foreign languages, I mean then how does ZRA tax them?
The Post newspaper was closed for taxes but I haven’t seen that enthusiasm against other foreign players.
The mines who pay peanuts to ZRA should not be spared. Let’s learn from Putin and put our house in order.
Let us unite mwebantu! In reading this statement, do not politicise it. It’s not meant for politics but to protect that which I inherited from my father and grandfather, i.e Zambia.
Very soon, the only right we shall be able to exercise is the right to vote because we have forgotten about Zambia and others are busy looting it
God bless and unite us. I love this country from Nakonde to Shangombo. It can’t be a failed project!!!
Stay well my fellow brothers and sisters!!!!
Ms Phiri
