Luangwa Feira: Mr. Wang
Published by gert July 29th, 2006 in people, Zambia, photographersLuangwa Feira (Zambia side) and it’s twin town Zumbo (Mozambique side) are on opposite sides of the Luangwa river, at the confluence with the Zambezi river and the start of Lago Cahora Bassa. Both towns are drenched in history, forming one of the earliest and deepest Portuguese settlements in the African interior. Their importance both declined in the late 18th century.
I’m staying in one of the two guesthouses of Feira and one of the other guests is Mr. Wang Dong Liang. He’s a Chinese building contractor from the city of Yangis Jiang, building Luangwa’s first commercial bank. True to Far Asian work ethic, his contract lasts till 2009, working 7 days a week, morning till evening, heading his team of local builders.
Originally uploaded by gert.
-Nice to know that there is finally progress with the bank in Luangwa. I’ve lived there for 2 years, but left in March 2006, and in all that time we were talking about how necessary a bank was for development in Luangwa.
I hope that Mr. Wang will not run away and get the job done.
P.S. There are actually 3 guest houses in Luangwa, but I guess you never found Mr. Botas….
Hi Julie,
The bank is actually finished by now, Wang Dong Liang is back in Lusaka. Now a good road and a bridge to Mozambique I suppose?
I guess you must have known most of the people I met there, Pasco, Pamela, Francis Koffi, maybe Jorgito, Faria, Philippe the butcher and Georges Inoçencio in Zumbo? I was stuck there for more than a week, waiting for the boat to Songo which was some adventure.
I hope posting pictures in the coming week, early next year the site will change as I asked people to take pictures about their own life - I had a box with disposable cameras with me, it might be interesting to have a new look later on. (Wang Dong Liang took pictures of his building site and the workers)
Thanks very much for your comment, it makes you realise the world is very small!
Gert