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For the last three years, in other words from the time the racist tide began lapping at its borders
Zambia has been on edge
Every now and again, anger rocks the country: attacks, protests, strikes, spurts of xenophobia
Dogs have been brought into the copper belt, the wonderful copper belt, to maintain order
It's difficult to make people understand the situation
The situation is actually a paradox
it is mainly South African companies who are exploiting the copper belt
and managing the mines and factories where thousands of black people work
And from South Africa is the technical staff that manages them
But copper is the country's greatest wealth
If the copper belt closes down, so does Zambia
The country's financial position, which is currently in credit, would fall into a deficit
its development plans would be compromised
the miraculous balance between the tribes and factions that President Kaunda has managed to achieve, would be overturned
And so it is that an African country, which is becoming increasingly pressured by the racist pressure growing from South Africa
is then forced to defend South African interests in the copper belt with policemen and dogs
One has to admit that these new African leaders know how to keep their countries going if they can
despite the lead weights that colonialism has left shackled to their feet