Radio Congo

When someone mentions 'Congo' what do you immediately think? For most of us the first thing that springs to mind is an image of war and child soldiers. In his book Radio Congo, author Ben Rawlence paints a much different picture.

Author Ben Rawlence had heard of a tin mining city in central Belgian-Congo which was a model european city in the heart of a jungle and is compelled to find it on foot starting at Goma on the border to Rwanda. Rawlence's journey brings him into contact with many locals of Congo including Pygmies, Banyamulenge (Congolese Hutus), Muntu (Congomen), various aid workers and armed forces. There is still some conflict in Congo, there are still Rwandan soldiers who have settled in Congo and the Congolese national army which is trying to rout them back to Rwanda. The Muntu and Banyamulenge do not get along and sometimes clash. Aswell there are also militias-turned-warlord called Mai Mai militias which terrorize sections of Congo, but from Rawlence's journey from Goma to Manono he was not once shot at despite being a white Brit in central Africa. He wasn't even mugged or robbed.

Rawlence adequately portrays Congo as a country with an uneasy peace, trying to make the best of the situation they live in. The most surprising face of the people of Congo are their incredible hospitality. Do not get the impression that everything is fine and dandy in the Democratic Republic of Congo, there is still hunger problems, poverty, exploitation and the occasional violent clash. Congo is a nation recovering from devastating wars, but it is recovering and it's people are making the best of a bad situation.

The radio stations in Congo are a valuable asset to the nation's recovery. Entire towns and villages will tune into a broadcast to hear news from their country or from abroad. Television is rare in Congo, Rawlence encountered maybe three in his whole journey. Electricity is scarce but a battery powered radio requires little juice to power. The radio broadcasters, most of which volunteers, spread the news of the world to their people and the people cling to their radios to hear the news.

Radio Congo was an inspiring novel, as I read it I felt a need to participate in assisting in Congo's recovery, even if I don't know how I could. Personally I find most relief efforts short-sighted. Often relief means handing out some food and money, but to me I think a relief effort should set people up to become self sufficient so that no more relief will be needed and the wealthy relievers can move on to help another group in need. To me what is needed in places like Congo is teachers, to teach primary schools, set up education systems and teach new teachers to replace them. I this the natives of a country could protect themselves from exploitation and develop a future free of internal war.

Next up in Our Crazy World is Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela's autobiography. Due to the sheer size of this book, part 1 will be next Monday (16th) and part 2 will be the Monday after that (23rd).

-Horace