Zambian youths say Chinese investment changing their lives

CHONGWE -- Chinese investments in different sectors in Chongwe, a town in Lusaka province in Zambia, have continued to positively impact the lives of the youths in view of many direct and indirect jobs created, residents said on July 2.

Youths of Chongwe district told Xinhua that jobs have been created by the various Chinese investments and construction works in the town.

Fredrick Sashi who has been employed as an administrative manager at a Chinese agriculture-based company, Zhong Yang Eco-Agriculture Industry Park, said the Chinese investments have enhanced the livelihood of the young people in the district through the creation of decent employment.

"Many of our young people are either employed in Chinese companies like the Sinoma Limestone Cement Company, Zhong Yang Eco-Agriculture Industry Park and China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation Company among others. Many were now working in Chinese construction or manufacturing companies or are dealing in products that are manufactured by these firms," he said.

Sashi said that the company was left in his hands when the directors had gone to China during the new year's festivities. He said that their prolonged stay in China due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in that country did not disrupt operations at the company because he had learnt appropriate skills to manage the firm.

He was thankful that the Chinese companies were entrusting the locals with huge responsibilities. He said that this goes to show that the Chinese were a force to reckon with and desired a mutual benefit for both the company goals and the aspirations of the locals.

A youthful entrepreneur, Thomas Sinkonde who trades in cement described the Chinese investments as life-changing. He said that the cement produced by Sinoma Limestone Company has grown its market and as such business was very favourable. He said that the Chinese companies were making a significant contribution to the social and economic life of the young population in the town.

Another youth Brain Kashimbaya noted that the work-culture of the Chinese was admirable and was impacting on the change of work-culture among the local youths. He said that the youths were learning to respect time at work thereby enhancing productivity which was key to national development.

He also said that many have acquired skills that they did not have before. According to him, the Chinese companies were helping to transfer knowledge and skills to the locals who have been given managerial and technical jobs in these companies.