There are an estimated 700,000 thousand Chinese trading or working in Africa. In Botswana, there are approximately 7,000 Chinese nationals living here. In the mid 2000s trade between Africa and China is said to have increased by 700%. About a decade later, trade volume was valued at a whopping $55 billion. To date, China is Africa’s largest trading partner. No one can ignore the influx of the Chinese and their businesses, from stores, construction companies and restaurants. Most of them have made investments in the media, banking, mining, manufacturing and energy sectors. One thing for sure is that they are here to make money and they have clearly come to the right place; ‘tshasa’ or no ‘tshasa’.
Over the years things have changed from the Chinese needing Batswana to Batswana needing the Chinese. In a country that exports most commodities and has a non-existent manufacturing industry, the Chinese could be perceived as ‘saviours’ of sorts. If it weren’t for the Chinese, many people wouldn’t enjoy a “better” social status; from clothes to technological gadgets to kitchenware, the list goes on. The ‘Made in China’ label is as common as a broke man.
There is a song by one kwaito artist that goes, ‘Ke di rekile di rasa, ke di rekile machaeneg, wa ba tseba mos!’ This song highlights the way Chinese sell what may seem like quality but turns out to be fake, or of poor quality. However, their products are so affordable that one is often tempted to give in.
I have grand memories of buying in a Chinese store. After fitting a gorgeous blue strapless dress, the Chinese lady store owner pattered towards me with an animated smile on her face. As she patted my buttocks and thighs, she exclaimed, “Ah! Vely vely nicey ngwanyana; nice for African buttock; it nicey, you see?” Indeed the dress accentuated my African bits and seemed to conceal the not so good points. Seeing that I was sold, she continued, “Vely vely cheap, for you P80!” That was for a dress that would go for P250 at a fashion department store. Nowadays, some expensive department stores buy from Chinese factories and put their own labeling; it is cheaper.
Most industries are infiltrated with fake or poor quality goods from China. It is hard to control these items because there is an insatiable demand for cheaper products. Chinese business people don’t necessarily think things through. Their business model is unconventional in the sense that when they identify a business opportunity they go for it. That could be the very reason they can offer anything that one wants; an uncomplicated demand and supply model.
The Chinese benefit from government trade laws that make it easier for them to thrive. In exchange, Africa enjoys loans (especially for infrastructural projects) and scholarships for locals. It doesn’t seem to matter that the Chinese over-work and underpay local workers.
One would wonder if these foreigners are genuinely interested in developing the country or are solely fulfilling their wants and demands. Most resources leave Africa and are re-sold back here again as finished products. Furthermore, the Chinese offer little investment in the communities in which they operate. As with ‘butt crack’ capitalism, the elite benefit and the rest of the people are just pawns.
There is an intense new-age ‘scramble for Africa’ between the West and China. Since it has economic power, China has upper hand. This is likely to proliferate to politics, for the hand that feeds you will control you. African countries cannot risk losing China because, look, the Chinese are “pimping”! We can’t shy away the Chinese, but to take their generosity and ‘vely vely’ nice offers with a pinch of salt. Rather, government should focus on developing self sufficiency and investing in industries like manufacturing, refinery, water and farming. Like most African countries, Botswana is a beneficiary. What’s new? TIA (This is Africa).
The sudden interest in Botswana by the Chinese is suspicious. I doubt this is a ‘relationship” that can be sustained in the long term. I suspect that China may have an “underground” plan to colonize the continent. Yes, history has a way of repeating itself when people are too complacent. Before we know it we will be China Republic of Botswana and we will say, “Mme kana ne re ba nyatsa!”
