Day 30 – Crossing the river at Maputo

Blog — By Gobby on October 21, 2012 11:17 pm

Maputo (the old Lorenzo Marques in Portuguese times) is situated at the confluence of the Maputo, Tembe and Umuluzi river systems. It is a real contradiction….seething humanity, massive poverty and old colonialism interspersed with brand new gleaming buildings that are testament to recent Chinese investment. 21st century colonialism at work.

A brand new airport, shopping mall and enormous new football stadium looked strangely at odds with the shanty settlements and open sewers that surrounded them.

The perception is that Mozambique, like many other under developed African countries, is parting with its mineral, fishing and agricultural rights in return for “foreign investment”.

China, in particular, is at the forefront of this new brand of colonialism……on the long very sandy, dirt road from the SA border to Maputo we passed Chinese surveyors preparing to rebuild and eventually tarmac the road. If the investment goes into the infrastructure, then that will benefit the country…… the continual problem that remains is the diversion of those funds into certain “leaders” pockets.

Maputo was our first real taste of proper Africa. The people were very curious and friendly. On the ferry across the estuary, the motorbikes were the focus of many enthusiastic conversations. It was a wonderful experience.

 

Tags: Day 30 Boarder Control