I found a sunny spot at the entrance to his suburban office in Tervuren, a suburb of Brussels, and whiled away a Sunday morning attempting to identify approaching cars by the sounds of their motors. Typical cars found in Europe’s briefcase capital glided by silently - Mercedes Benz, Daimler, Audi, BMW. Then I heard what I instinctively knew to be the vehicle carrying Kabongo and what could only be identified as a muscle car – the powerful roar of a souped up V8. Moments later a silver Grand Cherokee Jeep broadsided around the bend and lunged into a parking bay beside the building.
A fine figure of a man in an Armani suit stepped out of the car. With a broad smile and an extended hand he introduced himself. “Bonjour. Désolé je suis en retard, je suis Kabongo. Jules Kabongo.”
We entered his hi-tech glass and chrome office; his interpreter sat beside me on the black leather sofa. Drinks were dispersed and everyone agreed that it was good to finally meet. I ceremoniously switched on my recorder.
In 1985 Kabongo, then a young boy arrived in Belgium from the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a silent promise on his lips to return to Africa and help restore the nation and land so dear to his heart. Thus driven to succeed he excelled at university where he studied chemistry, and branched off into numerous areas of interest including technology and engineering.
In 2001, surrounded by experts in their respective fields, Kabongo launched the Cojuka Consultancy Group.
“Since before our ancestors’ memories, Africa has been plundered by those seeking her treasures, which they would then carry off to distant lands,” Kabongo paused for reflection. “Other than impoverishment, exploited nations and heavy-hearted grief, all that remained was political instability.” His serious face softened somewhat and he smiled brightly. “But that was another time, we have moved on from there, and thankfully so have the pirates.”
A shadow passed over his face. “We would be fully justified in celebrating the achievements that have been made to attain peace and development but we cannot underplay the challenges that we still face. As now, following decades of deprivation, the grief has been driven away by our hunger pains - hunger for the improvement of the quality of life of all our people, affecting many critical areas of social existence, including health, safety and security.”
Treatment is good, prevention is better
“African governments have of late, come to realise that they have a social responsibility towards their people. After all, from an analytical view point, it makes fiscal sense to rather clear a mine field than deal with the aftermath and social degradation caused by a single mine.” His passion for Africa was evident.
“Adopting this mind set could also eradicate street crime. Our research indicates that due to a lack of suitable lighting, street crimes perpetuate in highly populated urban areas which could be remedied by introducing inexpensive solar powered street lamps.”
“These are just two examples of what we want to help governments achieve – it’s fundamentally correct at so many different levels.”
He considered this statement for a moment then added. “Fortunately Africa is a continent of visionaries and we are currently dealing with several governments on both these essential elements.”
Rebuilding Africa, one brick at a time
“We know that foreign trade with Africa is largely linked with political stability and in order for Africa to enjoy her own prosperity, it is necessary that the living conditions of the people improve.” He fused with his laptop and called up a Power Point document.
“One of the challenges development faces is that of transportation or rather, the cost of transportation – hauling bricks from the manufacturer to the building site, the building sand, lumber, the conduit, cement, roofing tiles.”
“We say remove transportation out of the equation and take the production facilities to the site, and derive the raw materials from the surrounding environment, bring in the equipment to do the job and produce durable, quality and environmentally friendly building material right there – production of near all project requirements manufactured under one roof.” He pointed at a sketch depicting a large warehouse containing all the necessary equipment required for a building project.
“This is exactly what we did in the Comoros and Benin, Cote d’Ivoire and Gabon, savings these clients a collective twenty-five to thirty percent in transportation costs, yet simultaneously empowering the locals with knowledge and project employment.”
I enquired after other engineering or construction projects he was engaged in and learnt of a specialist product used to asphalt roads which Kabongo claims, makes the road surface usable within ninety minutes.
He became particularly animated when he spoke of his latest accomplishment. “Following numerous studies and client reports we’ve been awarded a government contract to build new military camps in central Africa, totalling some 144,000 houses with playgrounds, schools, nurseries, hospitals, sporting and entertainment complexes, shops – self contained villages.”
Bringing Africa into the 21st century
“We work closely with a number of airlines and manage whole computer systems on-site or remotely and sometimes outsource specific client projects to other future orientated companies.” He nodded at a private thought. “But as with all things technology driven this leads down previously unexplored avenues, like developing an African equivalent of the UK’s low-cost airline, EasyJet, by creating an affordable and accessible air transportation to central and western Africa – a project we plan to launch in 2008 or 2009.
High-tech Security Systems
“This brings to mind our airport security and biometric identification systems - like 3D facial recognition software, similar to those used by Interpol and numerous US airports and law enforcement agencies.”
“This lead us further down the technology path to requirements of Embassies, military installations, prisons, banks, data-processing centres, hospitals and nuclear plants – each with unique access control requirements, including retinal scanners, video surveillance, finger and code scanners and geometric hand scanners; also metal detectors as used government buildings and military installations around the world - NATO here in Brussels, use the scanning systems.”
Big brother driving
“Our involvement in vehicle engineering first started when we dealt with governments wanting to replace their vehicles in volumes, which we do at hugely discounted prices. This grew into incorporating Car Cops – a Computer Operated Protection System which, amongst others includes satellite tracking, remote vehicle immobilising and geo-fencing which, in effect, disables a vehicle when it exits a given radius.”
All the President’s men
Kabongo explained that working this closely with government led him to believe that few African Presidents fully appreciate the meaning of a ‘security detail’, and instead surround themselves with military.
Not surprisingly these Presidents are ill at ease and live in constant fear of their lives, which is not conducive to making wise decision for the nation. Historically, we have been consulted by many governments and effectively reduced the Presidential entourage to a few highly trained professionals and have foiled aggressive coups attempts too numerous to mention.”
I put down my note pad and picked up my Canon. Whilst I was photographing him, Kabongo spoke in hushed tones.
“Africa is a wealthy continent; her soils provide us with richness found nowhere else.” Whirr-click.
“If you listen carefully you will hear mother Africa’s unchanging voice, communicating in her wisdom, as she has always done.” Whirr-click. “Do not mourn, she says, ‘but pick up the spears of the fallen heroes and heroines and build a new Africa’. Whirr-click.
He turned to look at me. “You are African and know what I speak of.”
I lowered my camera and we exchanged smiles.
“So, let us roll up our sleeves and get down to work. The task of rebuilding our World Heritage is a common responsibility we all share.”
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