tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post96136251217022066..comments2024-02-24T06:10:42.255-08:00Comments on Congo Siasa: Life gets better for Kinshasa elites, but is a struggle for mostJason Stearnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454449854081540397noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-88649057438325088802014-03-11T18:00:46.524-07:002014-03-11T18:00:46.524-07:00Excellent dialogue and very great information from...Excellent dialogue and very great information from all, thanks.<br />I am one of those Americans that is planning on building American style homes in the Kinshasa area. Does anyone know of a knowledgable real estate agent that can assist me? Thanks. KeithEagle Pointe Propertieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072829739323721735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-6957099132093186432013-11-11T14:25:05.967-08:002013-11-11T14:25:05.967-08:00Hi, Can anybody tell me what is the proximate cost...Hi, Can anybody tell me what is the proximate cost of building per square meter for commercial two story building?drmillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14548548019206918829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-17763042009081945082013-08-02T10:39:06.502-07:002013-08-02T10:39:06.502-07:00HI !!! I'm very impresed about your good struc...HI !!! I'm very impresed about your good structured blog and I want to congrat you for your great work in here !!! I'll be very happy if you'll come to visit my PRACTIC blog http://www.articolepractic.blogspot.com and let your true opinion about it right there !!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16545995941785655321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-60591009422690466692013-05-07T05:08:07.799-07:002013-05-07T05:08:07.799-07:00Dear ZEESHAN HAIDER,
i am an indian in KINSHASA,do...Dear ZEESHAN HAIDER,<br />i am an indian in KINSHASA,do contact me for can social contacts..my email id...hubligopal@gmail.comUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15802089501662888191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-86940531758498464882013-05-07T05:04:49.000-07:002013-05-07T05:04:49.000-07:00Dear zeeshan haider,
give me your email id...i wa...Dear zeeshan haider,<br /><br />give me your email id...i want to contact you..<br /><br />can any one help me in getting the costs for building materials in kinshasaUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15802089501662888191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-762355543414054852012-09-18T00:44:54.444-07:002012-09-18T00:44:54.444-07:00Dear Zeeshan Haider,
i think your company will pr...Dear Zeeshan Haider,<br /><br />i think your company will provide house for you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01535048938325781661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-76322761444166500682012-08-20T13:13:31.467-07:002012-08-20T13:13:31.467-07:00can any one tell me please the cost of live of Kin...can any one tell me please the cost of live of Kinshasa.my employer offer me a job of 2500$,is it ok to fulfill my basic needs like accommodation,food and utility charges and can i save something from this amount.i am a single female from India, aged 29 years. most probably i will take off with in a next week for Kinshasa.please any one tell me a rent of average single room apartment or house whatever.if i cook food myself then is there any possibility to save some money from my monthly salary which will be 2500$. i will really appreciate if u guys help me. Thank you.purejobshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00790396974924516751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-9164359187788257522012-04-02T10:03:07.807-07:002012-04-02T10:03:07.807-07:00Very interesting analyses posted here.
I am glad t...Very interesting analyses posted here.<br />I am glad to hear that Kin is regaining her name of "La Belle". Although many areas are probably still "la Poubelle". Let hope that the whole city will become again a beautiful city. When you actually listen to the Ads of: "Cite du Fleuve" they predict that Kinshasa in years to come will be the Biggest City in Africa (15 millions people) after Cairo. Hopefully the city will be able to manage this predicted growth. For many years the city is crying out for an Efficient Waste Management Company. May be one of the "Elite" or "Middle Class" mentioned here will jump on that. It will help the City tremendously.<br /><br />My take on all other subjects discussed here is as follow: The Congolese Thinkers, leaders, decision-makers, entrepreneurs, government, opposition, Diaspora need to sit down and put together a Vision 2030 manifest and outlined some solid vision and a roadmap to transform the whole country to a solid and vibrant economy. Personally I believe that a solid Decentralization and selection of Good Governors for Each province will be important to implement this vision. Key thing, focus on the development of Infrastructure (Roads, Water, Electricity, Telecom, Air Transportation and Water Transportation). Heavily invest in the Education and launch Institutes of Technology in all Key Cities. Preach Entrepreneurship in every class of the Country. All those kids on the streets (Chege or today 'Kulanu' or ex-rebels in the East) screaming out for Jobs, train them and send them out there to build the infrastructure, Either by launching an Army Corps of Engineers and Navy Construction Units or Promote the Launch of reliable Construction Companies in Each City of the country that will employ all that youth and make their energy in a good use. <br />A complete Infrastructure Development Effort for the DRC is big effort and will require the collaboration of each and everybody in DRC. It can be as simple as launching cooperatives to start clearing and grabbing and grading earth road in their villages, cities, provinces and the whole country to eventually having reliable InterProvince and Local Infrastructure Systems. People need to stop looking at Kinshasa as the only place where they will get a solution to their problem. The whole country MUST start creating a mentality of Problem Solving and less of Problem-Whining and Complaining.<br />Starting from the local villages and growing to the whole country. Combining that effort with a powerful vision, trust-worthy leaders and Entrepreneurs, I give you 20 years, the DRC will be a completely different place. I believe it will happen! Many people are working behind the scenes to make it happen and they are genuine people who truly care about the DRC. I believe those are the people who will make a difference.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-44736827043827787782012-03-28T23:13:39.681-07:002012-03-28T23:13:39.681-07:00Great debate. Jose you are right on the money on y...Great debate. Jose you are right on the money on your analysis of the current situation. I am perplexed and frustrated at the slow progress that the DRC is making. I don't see any major reforms being taken, I don't see any coherent plan being put in place and communicated to the population but on one side there is an achievement of a certain macro-economic stability.... I think this contrast lies in the people who are leading the country. The president has no education so master plan and things of that nature I think he has no idea about those, the last 2 prime ministers had a strong marxist/nationalist history both members of the PALU, this makes them dangerous in my opinion because they are mostly anti-foreign investments and they think they know it all. The area where this administration has had a relative success is in its handling of monetary policy and control of inflation (I am mostly comparing to the 1980 and 1990) The architect of this stable environment is the Head of the Central bank a US educated engineer and MBA from LSU, he has worked for Citibank and has headed the Central Bank of Congo for the past 12 years or so..... Although he is from Katanga I think that Kabila should appoint him as Prime Minister with full power.....this could be a game changer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-33637310000337314862012-03-27T08:15:42.887-07:002012-03-27T08:15:42.887-07:00Hi all,
I'm green of envy of the Senegalese....Hi all, <br /><br />I'm green of envy of the Senegalese...If only Kabila were Wade...<br /><br />Anan said: "The current climate is rampant with corruption and self interest. Even any well intentioned plans for advancement are hindered by the over arching political realities. I wonder if we are seeing the modern face of an essentially kleptocratic regime."<br /><br />Could not agree more with this candid assessment. The images of Kinshasa,Lubumbashi are improving…Infrastructure development…bla, bla, bla. <br /><br />The Kabila regime is like this father whose kids are starving, are not going to school, are sick but who’s only concerned with refurbishing his living room to impress visitors. Even so, he’ll readily borrow 1000$ to buy sofas which cost only 400$ and pocket the balance…<br /><br />A small digresson: have you noted how, as I once remarked, silent castigators of "violence-inciting statement" (Ref. 6 Nov. 2011) have gone these days in the face of ACTUAL VIOLENCE (Ref. latest UN report)...Interesting to note the stark contrast between universal condemnation vs. universal silence... <br /><br />Anyway, thanks and congrats to all the 'Siasans', Jason, Rich, Mel, Anan and others, for your very interesting blogs over the last few weeks...even though I'd place few words of caution on Jason's theory on why Limete did not turn Tahir Square, or on some of Mel's comments... <br /><br />BrunoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-30896730482969980482012-03-26T00:10:53.456-07:002012-03-26T00:10:53.456-07:00Improvements...
"The Crown Towers, the Congo...Improvements...<br /><br />"The Crown Towers, the Congo Futur Shopping Mall, Paradise and Riverside complexes belong to the Tajideen family, which is close to Kabila and partly"<br /><br />well thats a big step towards achieving the MDGs. At least poverty reduction has got a boost.<br /><br />CheersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-34219797771372221822012-03-25T18:09:53.453-07:002012-03-25T18:09:53.453-07:00that's a good idea, blaise.
now, i do want...that's a good idea, blaise. <br /><br />now, i do want to take some exception to mel's contention about the conditions of a middle class emerging. it is true that happened. but, the difference i think is that the elites- while autocratic- were fairly committed to building the state and thus ensuring the conditions necessary for a middle class to take root.<br /><br />take elizabethan england as an example. liz the 1st was no fool. while the country was beset with the increasing divisions over the "true faith" and, like the congo, there were foreign powers who either denied her legitimacy (the vatican) or coveted her throne via hand in marriage (france, spain, austria) or war (spain), elizabeth continued the state consolidation policies of her father (Henry VIII). that meant increasing trade, building roads, streamlining the administration, hiring skilled bureaucrats, and revitalizing the privy council as an institution to both provide advice and balance ambitious (and treacherous) nobles against each other to check their ability to conspire against her. <br /><br />(from my understanding, the Luba Kingdom employed a similiar council- though mostly to prevent the succession crises' that beset other kingdoms like the Kongo.)<br /><br />the result? well, the english middle classes expanded given the more favorable (and more peaceful) environment. now, they also mostly became puritans and helped plunge england into a civil war! but, the point here is that elizabeth I was committed to building a strong state to help her people (and thus secure her own throne) and ward off england's enemies (internal and external). <br /><br /><b>we don't have any of this foresight in the Congo.</b> <br /><br />the elite either do not want to build a strong state, don't know how, or just can't because the corruption/patronage network is too powerful to overcome.<br /><br />one can be autocratic and still be efficient (Singapore, China, Rwanda, the various Prussian states, etc). well, in the Congo, we have the peculiar challenge of autocracy coupled with both incompetence and a patronage system that eats away at the state and what competence it does have.<br /><br />a sign of this challenge? if i am correct, the total number of state employees is nearly 900,000 people. well, in america its twice that but our economy is nearly 500 times as large as are our government receipts. <br /><br />there is no reason, whatsoever, for so large a public servant bill that- to add to the problem-is concentrated in kinshasa. that is expressly a result of patronage: patrons (senior officials) take on clients (family members, tribal/ethnic compatriots seeking jobs or contracts) who take on still more clients and the glorious result is a CRAP TON of corruption. <br /><br />a more efficient state would reduce salaries, lay off folks, redistribute folks to the provinces and districts, and reallocate manpower to the security and justice sectors. but as long as we have the "we need to eat too" problem in the congo, the conditions to allow a broader middle class to emerge will continue to be so restricted. <br /><br />so, a middle class can emerge in these conditions. but it's going to be a long slog if this basic situation doesn't change.<br /><br />that's why i just hold out hope that kabila will, as we said last week, 'see the light', and finally try to push some VERY HARD reforms to the "we need to eat too" system he presides over.<br /><br />or, the international community begins to demand it in exchange for money for the provincial elections.<br /><br />kabila has not consolidated his rule just yet given the provincial elections will determine the make up of the senate. well, if the IC demands a better and more transparent election it is possible that the opposition- if it can get its act together- could capture the upper house of the Senate.<br /><br />and if that happens we have a real game changer since they will be able to thwart kabila's authority and provide a "check" to the power of the executive.<br /><br />we shall see...<br /><br />joseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-62514851666421927152012-03-25T17:09:37.968-07:002012-03-25T17:09:37.968-07:00@D
The map I've seen for the proposed intermo...@D<br /><br />The map I've seen for the proposed intermodal transportation plan is a combination of new and refurbished roads and railway lines along three corridors: (1) New road from Lubumbashi to Bukavu, Goma, Bunia, Isiro and over to Kisangani (2) Lubumbashi, Kolwezi, Kananga, Mbuji-Mayi, Kindu. Railway linking Lubumbashi, Kamina, Kananga. (3) Matadi, Kinshasa railway extended to Kenge and Kananga. I guess transit along the Kinshasa, Mbandaka, Kisangani corridor would still be by water.<br /><br />@ Mel, Most of Ka Mana's work is in French, but at least one book has been translated into English and is available on Amazon.<br /><br />BruceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-75799246348506947792012-03-25T13:28:37.445-07:002012-03-25T13:28:37.445-07:00@ anonym MARCH 25, 2012 12:40 PM,
that's exact...@ anonym MARCH 25, 2012 12:40 PM,<br />that's exactly the point! Why should we wait for the politicians to make this happened? Why can't the business peoples and the civil society band together to define a vision( to borrow Marie ideas) and develop inter-communal exchange markets? As Mel stated : " is not entirely necessary for the political system in the Congo to be less predatory or more forward thinking to allow a middle class to emerge. Most of the middle classes, throughout history, emerged under autocratic regimes (kings and queens in the old days, junta’s in the modern era, one party rule, etc) so I don’t think its necessary to have an efficient, professional, political elite for this to occur. "<br />I just think that the easiest way to obtain the result, while considering the difficulties of the task , is to build from an existing platform which is proven to have the network in place (it's not a small task to mobilize 30,000 observers across the country, we have to recognize that).blaisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10271081481475980902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-78554562812975972872012-03-25T12:40:39.629-07:002012-03-25T12:40:39.629-07:00Yes, coherence is the bright topline for me in thi...Yes, coherence is the bright topline for me in this thread.<br /><br />Imagine this problem: what if a local investor started a poultry hatchery and wanted to distribute newborn chicks far and wide in the Congo. How would this work?<br /><br />It may not be the sexiest business in the world but given the very real protein deficiency in the vast bulk of the Congolese’s diet and the fact that a grown chicken is quite a productive asset for rural Congolese (they could sell the eggs, kill and sell the meat, etc) it meets both market demand and a social good right? It would also be highly profitable given I once purchased a full, frozen chicken in Kin for $6 dollars and Goma for $8- both of which were imports.<br /><br />Well, just how exactly would one get chicks to the large and small markets spread out over the Congo’s land mass? Putting aside the management and technical skill needed to run such an enterprise, it would be nearly impossible to engage in national distribution with so critical a business. An investor could locate on the Congo River and use it as the main distribution system but once you get to Kisangani how do you get to Bunia? Goma? Kindu? Gemena? The dirt road between Kisangani and Bunia that barely functions? (i’ve traveled it and, trust me, both you and the chicks would likely die on the way). Then how would you get them to Kikwit? Lumumbashi?<br />My point here is that while the macroeconomics are surely improving economic policy in the Congo doesn’t seem to be coordinated with other plans- as Marie is suggesting- and, as a result, there isn’t really a “national” market in the Congo but regional ones cut off from one another.<br /><br />I really do feel that the Congolese need to start thinking through connecting population/economic centers together as the priority and then connecting to mining areas. While I understand the rationale behind starting with Kinshasa and mining centers as a strategy, the geographic reality is that doing so creates inefficiencies and retards broad based economic growth that reaches down to the average Congolese- who have not made their lives around mining centers.<br /><br />Perhaps the simple solution here is getting a bright business woman to run for President or something.<br /><br />The Congo has been led by soldiers, generals, intellectuals, and civil servants and its plainly obvious this hasn’t helped create an environment where the people can grab hold of opportunities.<br /><br />- D<br /><br />(I realize my poultry business here could have a regionally-based distribution model vs my more “hub then spokes” model. Indeed, a regionally-based model is more efficient given the state of infrastructure in the Congo. I’m just using this as an example of the planning woes in the Congo- not creating an actual business plan. But its also true that multinationals- be they foriegn or African based-think "national distribution" and in the Congo this is patently not possible which means the type of investments the nation needs that creates jobs don't materialize)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-84953365800955164702012-03-25T11:40:44.298-07:002012-03-25T11:40:44.298-07:00I would not leave out evangelicals, siassa reader....I would not leave out evangelicals, siassa reader. They are a growing force in Congo and, yes, have many emerging middle class adherents. Perhaps, like in South Korea, they will "band" together, say "enough", and demand more accountable government. Yes, Catholic Church divided. But, like pentacostals, this the ONLY thing Congolese people control themselves. What missing in Congo is a economic vision. What do we want to be in world? Many plans in Congo but no overarching vision. Just produce minerals and coffee? Is that all we can do? I think we need a vision and plans to match the vision. Vision would allow for "coherence" and ensure infrastructure policy, macro policy, educational policy, and trade policy all are coordinated and part of holistic approach.<br /><br />Also, for smart Congolese, now a good time to invest building material factories (brick, tile, plaster, paint, etc) due to property growth. Even poor civil servant could see promise in this type of investment?- MarieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-72729347307162144172012-03-25T09:10:48.455-07:002012-03-25T09:10:48.455-07:00@ Mel & Rich,
ty for that broad perspective of...@ Mel & Rich,<br />ty for that broad perspective of the middle class, very informative. As for the corruption, there was an interesting thread earlier about the whys congo revolution never took shape. One reason was that the middle class instead of banding together to resist corruption will pay the bribe. Maybe if they find a way to resist corruption together, they will thrive. <br /> I wonder if a list of congolese's fortunes is available somewhere. I read that the son of Mpinga kasenda was doing very well for example.<br />@ anonym MARCH 24, 2012 9:37 PM,<br />the church is made of people, what they vote as they feel. Beside, according to the UN rapport, that massive vote from the East was quite coercive.<br />I still believe that the catholic church is the least corrupt functional institution in the country. Unless I'm mistaken, what we talk about big high schools, they are most likely catholic. <br />Maybe I'm wrong. My point wasn't to put the church in politic but to use it like a platform for social development since they have the brain and manpower regardless their tribal affiliation. As a body of people sharing the same basic ideals, it will be easy for them to connect and unify all those middle class across the country.blaisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10271081481475980902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-68397767190567784302012-03-25T07:58:48.012-07:002012-03-25T07:58:48.012-07:00Mel -
Great definition of the Congolese middle cl...Mel -<br /><br />Great definition of the Congolese middle class.<br /><br />I can only insist on what you said, they tend to be business owners and professionals.<br /><br />That is very true and here although I would have teachers at the bottom, there are hopes there since public servants are likely to get some pay raise and that the education sector is likely to see some more money affected there by the central government in line with the millenium development goals on education.<br /><br />Professionals count also army and police officers, they too are likely to get some pay rise in the coming legislature in line with the new law on the status of army and police officers.<br /><br />Doctors are the other ones I wanted to mention since some of them are doing quite well working in both the private and public sector.<br /><br />I also wanted to add the Congolese diaspora whose contribution to the economy and the overall Congolese society is very big.<br /><br />One other thing is the multiplicator effect of the redistribution of wealth encouraged by Congolese solidarity. In my opinion, this is one of the things that get that country moving despite the political situation and even when all the classic indicators are said to be in red. <br /><br />All this said, since we can agree on the quality of the Congolese middle class, I guess the next question will be to argue about the size of this middle class. The latest census was in 1984 and there are signs that the next one will be organised soon. Since many partners of the DRC are involved my hope is that standard questions are asked so that data on the categories we've mentionned here are collected.<br /><br />I am likely to be involved in the next census and amongst other things, I have pencilled some of the things we said here down and will make sure they feature in one way or another in the census questionnaire.<br /><br />RichRichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01301460106025447019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-15725215854529283372012-03-25T07:50:00.412-07:002012-03-25T07:50:00.412-07:00Ce blog est toujours aussi surréaliste.
A quand ...Ce blog est toujours aussi surréaliste. <br /><br />A quand une image fidèle de la situation au Congo ? <br /><br />1. Le Congo est pillé de fond en comble par des étrangers avec la complicité de Kabila<br />2. Cette situation a fait d'un des pays les plus riches en matières premières au monde le DERNIER aux indices de développement internationaux<br />3. Les Congolais ne supportant plus cette situation ont massivement rejeté Kabila et ont élu Etienne Tshisekedi président<br />4. Par la violence des armes Kabila maintien son régime de pillage en violentant le peuple Congolais<br />5. Tout le monde sait <br />6. La soit-disant communauté internationale s'accommode du viol de la population Congolaise, tant qu'un régime crapuleux lui garantit un accès gratuit aux ressources minières du Congo<br /><br />Le reste c'est du vent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-8243863143134410432012-03-24T21:37:34.893-07:002012-03-24T21:37:34.893-07:00The catholic church in Congo is a divided and alls...The catholic church in Congo is a divided and allso corrupt institution and I don't see the reason why they should be given such responsibility .most Catholic Cathedrals ,schools...are in decay and under severe disrepair .the catholic church is also ethnically very divided and does not always speak with one voice.in2006 the church in Kinshasa endorsed JP Bemba and the Churches in the East endorsed KABILA ,in 2012 the same thing happened again and the church was divided between the Swahili east and the lingala west. By failing to bridge the east west divide that emerged with the 2006 election and taking sides instead,the Catholic proved to be irresponsible and they shall stay out of politics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-75892031651562875472012-03-24T21:17:40.978-07:002012-03-24T21:17:40.978-07:00Sorry one other thing: (my friends in the Congo do...Sorry one other thing: (my friends in the Congo do read this blog so I don't want to leave this out!!)<br /><br />I also notice that they try, as best they can, to sustain instituitions in the community that help everyone- schools, churches,orphanages, community centers, clinics, etc- via fundraising and volunteering when they can. <br /><br />This is a constant feature and it challenges and stretches them beyond belief because the need is so great and state so weak but they do this quite a bit.<br /><br />MelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-49234797480400967582012-03-24T21:05:11.379-07:002012-03-24T21:05:11.379-07:00@ Bismark
Could you send along info about this the...@ Bismark<br />Could you send along info about this theologian? I’d love to read some of his works. While American, I’m fluent in French, Lingala, Swahili, and Spanish (and Hebrew, I’m part Jewish) and thus can read his works if they are in French. <br /><br />@ Bruce<br /><br />Good question about the middle class. My husband, who is American but grew up half of his life in Lumumbashi and Kalemie (he’s family are long time Methodist missionaries to the Congo going back 100 years) and the other half here in Florida (where we live), has been investing in the Congo for years. So, while this is by no means scientific, here’s what I’ve noticed about the emerging (and still fairly tiny) middle class from my travels to that city, Kinshasa, Mbandaka, Kisangani, Bunia, and Kalemie<br /><br />-they are mostly small to medium sized business owners or professionals (mostly teachers and lawyers I’ve noticed). Most are involved in various kinds of trade and they tend to be entirely family-owned. <br /><br />-they tend to own property- either their business location, flats, fairly large farms (10-50 acres)<br /><br />-they tend to derive income from a variety of sources- business and farms mostly.<br /><br />-they travel internationally, mostly for business, atleast three times a year. <br />-They all have bank accounts, cell phones, and nearly all have a used car and get motorbikes for their kids.<br /><br />-They tend to all be evangelical Christians and are deeply committed to their faith though many seem to have been raised Catholic<br /><br />-They tend to intermarry among ethnic groups which I notice is a mark of pride for them or something they always highlight when talking about their lives.<br /><br />-They are deeply committed to their kids and the young folks in their extended families education. Given the influence of American evangelicals in their lives a big goal is sending their kids to American universities- or atleast the brightest ones.<br /><br />-They can’t stand politicians and the lack of having a functioning state but do seem confident about the future. They often must give kickbacks to officials in order to conduct business and bitterly hate this and complain about it. <br /><br />-They have a deep and abiding love for their broken country- must for its size, its many resources, the musical traditions, and the bounty that comes from its rich soils. <br /><br />Again, this isn’t scientific and I think you’d be hardpressed to find actual studies of the emerging middle class in the Congo (primarily due, perhaps, to the fact that people prefer to study the violence, war, state collapse, etc) but this is from my small network of around 50-60 families I know there. <br /><br />And I would add that this basic process of uplift is the path all middle classes take in all countries throughout history. As Congo’s economy stabilizes opportunities will grow and the class will expand and begin to coalesce around certain values, customs, norms, etc and build social capital to reproduce themselves that is <i><b>distinct</b></i> from the rest of the classes of the society. <br /><br />Finally, I would argue that it is not entirely necessary for the political system in the Congo to be less predatory or more forward thinking to allow a middle class to emerge. Most of the middle classes, throughout history, emerged under autocratic regimes (kings and queens in the old days, junta’s in the modern era, one party rule, etc) so I don’t think its necessary to have an efficient, professional, political elite for this to occur. <br /><br />It’s nice to have but not totally necessary.<br /><br />MelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-9218280023716881982012-03-24T20:48:19.063-07:002012-03-24T20:48:19.063-07:00Sorry BLAISE I was addressing DISMARK.on the middl...Sorry BLAISE I was addressing DISMARK.on the middle class subject.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-82370416988071879642012-03-24T20:41:01.963-07:002012-03-24T20:41:01.963-07:00It sims like the Majority of Congoles who are post...It sims like the Majority of Congoles who are posting on this blog do not like to hear any good or positive news from their Country.this is not about KABILA but its about your country.they blame Rwanda and at the same time they are more comfortable praising Rwanda but when it comes to the DRC ,they sim to be suffering from a very severe shortage of patriotism. <br />@blaise,<br />Are you trying to tell the intire world that there is no middle class in Congo? Iast year I went to KIN ,Goma and Bukavu then Lubumbashi and in all those 3cities there is a crazy housing boom. and this is not some small 2 bedroom homes but 5,6 bedrooms modern European villas spreading like mushrooms in Goma and Bukavu . There is allso a vibrant business community doing all kind of import export business with Dubai,China...I am not a KABILA supporter nor a UDPS activist. I am a hard working Congoles immigrant and any positive news from my country makes me fill good.I am not trying to scare investors away from Congo just because I dislike KABILA or because me and CHICHI we come from the same ethnic group.in 2011 the DRC economic growth was 6.8% and there is a double digit prediction for 2013. Yes the country stil have very long ways to go but after 2 decades of a catastrophic war ,the picture looks promising.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-7185707479265940502012-03-24T19:28:15.078-07:002012-03-24T19:28:15.078-07:00@ blaise
Yes, the Catholic Church is an instituti...@ blaise<br /><br />Yes, the Catholic Church is an institution with a nation-wide presence...and it is there day in and day out trying to address people's everyday needs. I like your idea of bringing together people of all faiths in the cause of social justice.<br /><br />Jason has mentioned how political parties seem to disappear between election cycles, only to reappear when it is time to ask people for their votes. The parties could take a lesson from the example of the Church.<br /><br />My thinking has been influenced by the writing of Congolese theologian Ka Mana...his idea of "l'imaginaire des peuples d'Afrique." I think it corresponds with the social constructivist idea of "imagined community" which is not imaginary or a fiction...rather it refers to inner values, ethics, and morals that people hold in common...how one sees one's place in the world in relation to others.<br /><br />Anyway, Ka Mana has been writing for decades about the crisis of a political culture based on a self-centered indifference to the plight of others. Perhaps you are already familiar with his work?<br /><br />BruceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com