Don't Neglect Religion

First let me say how much I enjoy your magazine. I am learning much about the Chinese through your pages and also beginning to understand some of the thinking behind doing business in China through your Business Advice column.

One thing I noticed is that you don't report much (if at all) on religion or religious issues. Either in China or in Africa I don't recall reading any such religious topics. Am I wrong? I think that accepting each other's faith and trying to respect each other as human beings is the only guarantee that we have of ever achieving world peace. Everyone says these words. At every meeting of leaders and officials and even businesspeople the same words are used about tolerance and acceptance and harmony. But once the cameras are switched off and the reality of life continues, we go back to the age-old attitude of lack of respect and religion being used to cause division instead of unity. Where is the new world order, or at least new African order that can see religion leading the way toward improving the way of life on our continent? I think if you can write stories about the positive role that religion plays in Africa and interview people whose lives have been made better by religion it will be a solid statement.

Ignatius Mombari

Namibia

Skills Count

I spent some time in China and was interested to read your story in September issue about the bamboo business in Liberia. Bamboo is an amazing plant as it can be eaten, made into clothes, furniture even houses. Chinese people seem to have many skills and are very resourceful and hard working. It often comes as a surprise to many Africans when they watch Chinese at work, as generally speaking people from Africa can tend to be lazy when it comes to getting things done. We need to learn this attitude and take it into our work ethic. I think by being resourceful and productive we can improve many aspects of the problems Africa has. We should also look around at other plants we have growing in Africa and see what other uses we can find for them. Initiative and skills are a powerful combination.

Patricia Baloyi

Liberia

Make a Difference

I think it must be difficult for Chinese to have only one child. I saw your stories about the new 80s generation of Chinese who have no brothers and sisters. It is difficult for us to imagine that. African culture places much emphasis on large families. It is not uncommon for us to have five or more children. Children are seen as a blessing to help us when we are older but in reality having many children in Africa often stretches family income and means nothing can be saved. Tradition and reality have to meet somewhere. Of course China needs to control its big population but I still feel sad for those people with no siblings. It must be a lonely way to grow up. The point is for young people to make a difference in the world, no matter if coming from a single child home or having many brothers and sisters. I am also interested to know if there are homeless street children in China the same way there are in Africa. Keep up the good work with your magazine. Best wishes to all the brothers and sisters in China.

Alison Bembe

Ghana

Be Positive

Recently Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika, who is also the chairman of the AU, told the General Assembly that Africa is not a poor continent, but it is the people of Africa who are poor. When I heard this I thought it was very true indeed. Media reports always talk about our continent being poor, when in fact it is rich in resources. It is we the people of Africa who are poor. But if there are resources then why are we poor? Governments do little to answer this and if we are always fed a diet of war, disease and despair what does it do for our morale? Let us all begin to be more positive about our beloved Africa and ourselves. Magazines such as ChinAfrica at least are writing stories of interest and that share the positive things around us. We want the truth but we also want the negative reports to make way for the good news. There has to be good news as by my reckoning – if there is bad there must be good. Right?

Themba Tyibika

Zimbabwe