I will begin my reaction by saying that communication is "key" and, unfortunately, it is what we have been lacking as a people in the last 46 years. Everything else we have: Intelligence, creativity, courage to dare etc... But why is it that we are at the bottom of the food chain (as a nation, not individuals)? You see we have been trained even before our independence to raise issues but never how to solve them.The few ones who are trying to suggest ways to move our people and our thinking forward don't usually express it the right way. It's in the nature of man to get on the defensive when being blamed even when it is justified at that point the communication and the effort to fix anything is dead. 

From the beginning of our freedom history, Mr Lumumba (highly intelligent and ahead of his time) did not know how to communicate and we all what happened to him. Then when Mr. Mobutu decided to start miss communicating with his people and the world, the whole country suffered and is still recovering from that!! The late president Kabila, a true patriot, who wanted nothing more then the well-being of his people but yet was killed may be for his lack of political experience but surely communication was one of the elements.

The reason why I went out of my way to give a little background is to show that communication has been all along our biggest problem.    So, life is all about choices. Whatever choice we make today will shape what tomorrow will look like. We can either continue raising issues after issues, pointing fingers at each other, passing blames etc... We can actually do something about it. 

I appreciate Mr. Lukanga's observation on the Congolese consumers. In my opinion, it is a good report to consider when suggesting ideas on how to fix that particular issue. It came across as a blame and it was very downgrading that I am sure many people did not really care for his comments. In fact, there are so many things that need to be taught to our people simply because our government didn't teach them the basics. And of course, one cannot educate other if he or she cannot communicate. I believe it's time to put our differences` aside and focus on one and one thing only: What can we do to better ourselves, our communities and our country? It is time now as president Kennedy once said: 'ask yourself what can you do for your country" and I'll add to that and what you can do for others.

André Lundula, Business man in Charlotte NC can be reached at:kin_9@yahoo.com

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