Page 43 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 2

Did we sell Afrika again?

SAMUEL PHILLIPS

Obviously, this issue is packed with significant spiritual assignment The main building was designed
a lot of information from various which connects directly to the and built by a collaboration of
aspects of the Afrikan narrative, spiritual emancipation of Afrika. Tongji University, China State
and all the featured articles are Why so? He who controls the Construction Engineering and the
carefully written to both inform and seat of eldership controls the China Architecture and Design
also show Afrikans the weakness community. I will talk about that a Research Group, with the US$200
of the various decisions and bit more shortly. Million budget donated by the
choices we Afrikans have been Chinese government. The design
making and how they may affect About the conference center of the site resembles two hands in
our future and the generation next. embrace, symbolizing Afrika–
The AU Conference Center and China relations, and includes both
It is almost not fair to make this Office Complex (AUCC) is a traditional Afrikan art and modern
Issue Two about our most favorite building in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Pan-Afrikan symbology, with the
Afrikan nation-Ethiopia and It is the headquarters of the Afrikan height of the 99.9 meter main
then not write about the African Union and plays host to the annual tower a reference to the adoption
Union Headquarters in Addis AU summits. It also serves as a of the Sirte Declaration founding
Ababa, Ethiopia. A visit to the AU conference center for Afrikan and the Afrikan Union on 9 September
headquarters in December 2018 diaspora businesses. The main 1999. However, the majority of
by the Msingi Afrika Magazine building is 99.9 meters (328 feet) materials used in the construction
team was such a beautiful tall and it is the tallest building in were Chinese, and the art on the
experience. Addis Ababa. Its cost was US$200 walls was produced in China.
million funded by the Chinese Construction took three years with
Beautiful, not because we had government. a workforce of 1,200, roughly half
access to see the fine architecture, of whom were Ethiopian and
walked around taking photos The main hall of the AUCC. half of whom were Chinese.
of various art works from all
over Afrika displayed at various The wooden veneer on the walls
locations, but because it was a was imported from China.