LUSAKA (Zambia) – I was walking in a nice area, with beautiful Jacaranda trees, now almost in full bloom, lining the streets. In this part of Lusaka you can find some of the best hotels, plus the local offices of many international organizations. The Word Bank is here, plus the International Monetary Fund, The International Finance Corporation, and the African Development Bank.
These days, one glitch is represented by frequent power cuts, due to limited production capacity caused by a persistent drought. (Zambia depends in a significant way on hydro power generation. Low water levels in the dams mean less electricity production).
As I got to a busy intersection, I realized that the traffic lights were not working, most likely
due to a power cut. This presented a real problem. Even without a functioning traffic light, cars were zipping by at high speed.
I looked around and saw a young woman in the same predicament. She was also reviewing the situation. I concluded that it would be wise to follow her lead. “She is local”, I thought. “She understands the traffic, and how drivers react to pedestrians crossing the street”. Sure enough, during a short lull in the incoming traffic, the young lady started crossing. And I followed her.
When we safely got to the other side, I looked at her and I commented that I was lucky to have had the opportunity to follow her. In reply, she said something polite.
But then, in a simple and direct way she said to me: “You know, you are the very first white person I have ever talked to in my life”. “Really?”, I commented in disbelief. “And what do you do? What is your name?”, I asked. “I work as a marketing specialist for a firm in the Cairo Road. My name is Mary”.
Mary spoke clearly, in a nice way, in very good English. I was a little confused. “How is it possible that she never interacted with any white foreigners?”, I reflected. There are several Europeans, Americans and Asians in Lusaka. Some actually live here, some come for business, or tourism. Others work in Lusaka as diplomats, or aid workers.
Well, may be an explanation is that “globalization” is still work in progress. Below a rather thin veneer of increased connectivity, we –Africans, Europeans, American, Asians– are not yet part of “One World”. There are plenty of interactions, of course. But we have not reached critical mass.
No doubt, the process is unfolding; but we are not there yet. Well, I just hope that we can move faster.
And I am sure that as the level and quality of international connections improves open-minded people like Mary will see that this process creates new and interesting opportunities.