Between a rock and a hard place – Congolese foreign national shares his story
In his book, Mudiayi explores answers to questions about who is responsible for the Congolese misery
Congolese foreign national Barthelemy Mudiayi is a qualified accountant now working as a security guard in KwaDukuza after he was forced to flee to South Africa eight years ago.
In the pages of his book titled ‘Exploitation Plan of Democratic Republic of Congo’, the 47-year-old has poured out his heart in an attempt to shed light on the hardships and brutality that are faced in Congo and the ill treatment of foreigners in South Africa.
“Foreigners are treated badly when we come to South Africa and we live in difficult conditions. We live in fear of being beaten by locals because they feel that we are stealing their jobs. I have a degree in commercial and financial sciences but my only option for work here is to work as a security guard.”
In his book, Mudiayi explores answers to questions about who is responsible for the Congolese misery.
“I wrote the book to educate people on our plight and the hardships that we faced in Congo that forced many of us to leave.”
The writer said while he studied in Congo, he became a member of the ‘Youth of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress’. Since he was a child, he was involved in the fight for democracy and peace in Congo.
“Congo is a country that is rich in resources and because of that we are being exploited by other countries. The country’s political leaders are being used by Western leaders.
“The result is that the people are lied to, abused, killed and exploited in their own country to suit the interests of the rich.
“The people of Congo have become the first enemies of the defense forces and the police. They are all paid to protect the leaders. There is no where to turn.”
Mudiayi said he had no choice but to flee Congo with his wife and children in 2008 leaving behind his old life and starting over in a new country.
“The political system set by the leaders of Congo did not allow me to stay in my country. It is not my choice to leave my home. It is not my choice to not see my family and friends that I grew up with. People need to know our story.”
Mudiayi’s book was recently translated from French to English and will soon be released to stores.
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