Sorry NGO! John Ekongo You see the other day, a friend was moaning about our brothers from the Far East, to be precise China. He never could understand why apparently the colleagues from Asia dominate some industries here in Namibia. All I know is that the brothers are very shrewd businessmen. How else can one fly 22 000 miles across the globe and end up in Bagani, where he owns his “Chin Lin Enterprise” in the back of a dilapidated storeroom belonging to the Government. Now that is true globalization. These colleagues are seriously determined and persevering individuals. I just never got it why people complain so much about our friendly comrades. Obviously being a journalist, I put my skills to use, just to find out exactly what the commotion is all about. I decided to go underground. I should tell you that my findings were a bit scary, but after this I could understand exactly why peeps complain so much. The first question on everybody’s mind is: Where exactly do the colleagues bank their money? After some interviews with financial analysts and economists, the reason is that “it is better they’re not, for if they do these guys will apparently crumble the financial sector, and we don’t want that now”. Also some Chinese colleagues responded saying that the manner in which 100-million disappears from banks, as well as the high interest rates charged by the banks in this country – they thought it wise not to deposit their money, but keep it safely secure under lock and key in their specially designed traveling pillows. This is the absolute truth colleagues. My sister once bought a DVD player from the brothers, but the device would not work properly, so she took it upon herself to fix the gadget and found a 100U$ dollar bill inside. So maybe try buying a wardrobe or some sort of cabinet from them – there might be millions in there, instead of Nictus who will just give you a twenty-four month contract and no instant millionaire status. About the construction industry, in the light of all tenders going to one particular company, apparently: First I was reliably told it is no solidarity tenders, so for all of you comrades who thought that was the case, please bury the hatchet. The fact is that the brothers from the east don’t ask consultation and engineering fees. Facts have it all they ask is the following ” You want building, how much building, how many high-storey and when you come in new building?” With the other colleagues, you will hear things such as Impact Assessment, ground water ratio complexities, structural concrete developmental plan and municipal foundation plan. That is why government opts for these guys, no contracts, no lawyers just gentleman’s agreement. Who has time discussing these terms? Government will tell you in December that I want five schools in Omusati before the start of the school year. You’ve got one month. The lawyers can be left out of this; I will go to the colleagues from the east. I know every angle has weaknesses and strong points – some experts will say what about quality. I posed this question to Mr Xuanng Hu, a construction industrialist. This he replied. ” Quality velly good, I buy evelything flom Chicco Building Supplies in Oshakati and bling to Windhuuuk, my mateliar, say-ya all Namibia products. ” “What if you don’t get the products you looking for in Namibia like the marble tiles at the Heroes Acre, Supreme Court and State House,” I chipped in. “That one no problem, big container at Walvis Bay full tiles, in China tile is many from the X’ianshhe Mountains”. Vely cheap I import one big tile for 4 Namibian dollar flom China import tax and all included, velly cheap. ” I could not agree more after he forced me to reveal how much one tile cost at CTM. What about guarantees, I understand that you don’t give any? “No if building not stable I cum build again, but lemember in China there is floods earthquake, and Tsunami – in Namibia no flood no Tsunami you don’t need qualantee because nothing will happen. So what you need qualantee for?” So there we have it, no more complaints I hope … Sorry Ngo