Not philanthropic gesture

Since the creation of the Tazara Railway, also known as the Uhuru Railway, by China, there has been a perception by African politicians and leaders that China is the epitome of benevolence.

This perception of extreme philanthropy could not be more erroneous.

China is an overpopulated country, now starved of natural resources and therefore in desperate need of such commodities.

China, due in the main to its exploitation of workers, is a powerhouse of manufacturing and production able to undercut practically any opponent. The result is China produces goods at prices so low that it is true to say that on such items, local isn’t all that lekka.

The result, however, is that China is today an economic power arguably rapping on America’s door as the world leader in monetary terms.

But China does nothing for nothing.

Go around SA, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Namibia and Kenya, just to name some countries, and the clear and present evidence of China is there for all to see.

Roads, dams, airports, bridges, etc are being built (many times by imported Chinese nationals, as opposed to local labour), not as a gift of a kindly uncle, but as a self-serving conduit for the removal of our natural resources to their ultimate home, China.

Then they will be sold back to us at profit – but we can use those conduits too! Lucky us!

Africa is under economic siege.

We are lent money with a kindly smile and a tight agreement, most times in the full knowledge of the lender that the loan will never be repaid.

This means China takes over the assets or the rights to exploit things, with no more ado. It gets to “own” us!

So when next we see our leaders with the Chinese top brass and we spot that inscrutable smile after the deals are done, just know, we have just been screwed again!

Conor Ward Champagne Valley, KZN