Putting Metal to Work
China Africa (English)|January 2021
Chinese steel manufacturers help upgrade the construction industry in Zambia
Derrick Silimina
Putting Metal to Work

Willy Mbewe, 30, from Zambian capital Lusaka’s sprawling Kalingalinga Township, is motivated by the fact that through his career in metal fabrication, he can provide a service to the community and country at large, while also creating jobs.

In 2012, driven by his passion for engineering, Mbewe studied metal fabrication at Lusaka Trades School in a bid to pursue his dream.

“I like civil engineering and I thought one day I will become an engineer, so that I could serve my country; because as a nation, while we have many qualified engineers that are doing well, most of them are working outside the country,” Mbewe told ChinAfrica.

With the establishment of many Chinese steel manufacturing plants in the country, Mbewe believes that given Zambia’s availability of raw materials, local metal fabricators like himself have the potential to add value to the economy by creating jobs.

Metal fabrication is the creation of metal structures by cutting, bending and assembling. It is a value-added process involving the creation of machines, parts, and structures from various raw materials.

Job creation

In 2015, armed with a small nest egg and some homemade equipment, Mbewe started his dream project. Spurred on by his father, a renowned steel expert in the area known for its expertise in metal fabrication, Mbewe established Amoson Metal Welders.

“I started with just K5,000 ($250), a welding machine and a small grinder, but today I have industrial equipment worth over K20, 000 ($1,000), which can do most of the work with ease,” he said.

This story is from the January 2021 edition of China Africa (English).

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 2021 edition of China Africa (English).

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CHINA AFRICA (ENGLISH)View All
Preserving a Source of Life
China Africa (English)

Preserving a Source of Life

Zambia takes measures to protect water resources and ensure ecological progress

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2021
Should We Stop The Trend of ‘Feminization'?
China Africa (English)

Should We Stop The Trend of ‘Feminization'?

In traditional Chinese thinking, women are supposed to be gentle and soft and men masculine. In recent years, however, the popularity of young male film and TV stars who appear to be “feminine” in their dressing, hair style and even mindset and their impact on the youth has led some to believe that the Chinese boys are not “masculine” enough.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2021
Green Renaissance
China Africa (English)

Green Renaissance

China adopts comprehensive measures to protect Yangtze River environment

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2021
Building an Immune Barrier
China Africa (English)

Building an Immune Barrier

Chinese vaccines help the global fight against COVID-19 pandemic

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2021
A Promising Change
China Africa (English)

A Promising Change

As first female and African head of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is enjoined to advance the prospects of common development

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2021
Service Before Celebration
China Africa (English)

Service Before Celebration

A doctor’s contribution to normalization of life

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2021
Delivering Happiness
China Africa (English)

Delivering Happiness

Deliveryman continues to work during the holiday to meet the needs of customers

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2021
Skiing Upsurge
China Africa (English)

Skiing Upsurge

Olympic winter games spur growth of snow economy in Beijing suburbs

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2021
An Unbreakable Bond
China Africa (English)

An Unbreakable Bond

Chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria talks about bilateral ties

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2021
A Different Celebration
China Africa (English)

A Different Celebration

Chinese people respond to the call to spend the Spring Festival holiday in situ

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2021