by Juju Banton » 2nd May 2011, 11:37
Moi,
Where it all ends? After having castigated previous governments, we are left with one more group that should also shoulder the blame for the current scenario; Zambians
themselves. That's where it ultimately ends, with every Zambian man and woman. Forget what I said about the buck stopping at the government's doors. As mentioned before, it is simply wrong for us to pin all the blame on the government of the day.
1. Yes, foreign firms were given incentives of all sorts to encourage them to pump in their millions of dollars. Fair enough, this did not create a level playing field to begin with but then again, how many Zambians got together and said "We'll buy this, don't give it to the Indians/Chinese/British?" I'd say none. In fact, how many Zambians get together today and say we'll take over that closed down mine or open up this factory. Just take a close look at the industrial area in Lusaka, Kafue Road, Great East Road and others. Virtually all industries are owned by foreigners or Zambians of foreign origin.
2. Liberalisation of the economy also meant the immigration department being liberal with issuing out work permits and other permits for foreigners. These guys
came to Zambia smelling the opportunities that existed then, and still exist now. They were not big conglomerates that were given special treatment, rather they were regular people (on par with Zambians) who flocked to Zambia with a few thousand dollars to try their luck. Now here was a level playing field. But see them now and what they have made of those few thousand dollars and see the Zambian who also had those few thousand dollars. As efyo says, it's our lack of financial discipline. I always say Zambia is Africa's USA; the land of opportunities. If Zambians don't seize these, others will.
Over the years, the entrepreneur in me has seen dozens of opportunities just waiting to be grabbed, opportunities that will be firsts for Zambia. Sadly, I can safely assume that for more than half of those, a foreigner will beat us to it. Though lack of finance will be a hindrance, it won't necessarily be the case always. It will be have to be our attitude, our lack of hunger for progress. We are crying for change of govt. My foot! Change begins with you and me. Why did it have to take South Africans to open up our first modern mall? Why did it have to take a white Zambian to open Zambian's second modern mall?
3. Foreigners are even taking up so called menial jobs like tiling and bricklaying, and people are up in arms. Not me. Again, change begins with you and me. It's our work culture or rather the lack of it that is the issue here. It wouldn't hurt to admit it, but our work ethos are pathetic especially in the unskilled/low skilled labour market. And come to think of it, even in middle management level. For the low jobs, We don't seem to take pride in what we do and we're in a hurry to make the money without looking at our quality of workmanship. My own example, when building a small project, out of helping a fellow Zambian I gave him the contract. He messed it up and I learnt my lesson. Through word of mouth (from other Zambians), I came across this Lebanese man who I used for my next project. Now listen to this. He got work permits for 3 foremen from Lebanon. Not only were they supervising, they were getting down and dirty, and when it was lunch time, my fellow hungry Zambians' promptly took their lunch breaks at 13 sharp. I asked the Lebanese men why they were not going for lunch. In broken English, they said not until they finish. See? There's the difference. Right there.
After getting to know the Lebanese contractor, I asked him why he wouldn't hire Zambian foremen? His response made even more sense. He told me that from a financial
aspect, it just doesn't make business sense for him to be paying the Lebanese foremen what they would be getting back in their country and also provide them with accommodation, but he has to do that to maintain his standards for which he is getting known. He would save more than half if only he could find reliable Zambians. Ouch.
4. Moi, you are hundred % right about our Arab colleagues. They have finally found their balls to be heard. Over here, this year is the ballot and/or the bullet. Whichever it is, change begins with us, not with change of govt, because the current political scene is full of jokers and thieves.
So Mukomwa, while at first we might sympathise with fellow Zambians about foreigners controlling the economy, on closer inspection we have only ourselves to blame. Not
the foreigners, not the government alone, but us individuals. It's us that have allowed it to reach this stage. And that is also precisely the reason why foreigners are courted because just as Zambians have lost faith in the govt, the government seems to have also lost faith in it's own citizens to help themselves. If the foreigners are making it in Zambia, why can't we in our own country?
That is the million dollar question.