Description

Today, he runs a small business empire in Mayukwayukwa, including a fleet of three trucks and two Land Rovers for his thriving transportation business, a flour mill, a general store with restaurant, and a metal workshop. He also owns livestock and property and is currently building a hotel. His local clients include refugees, Zambians and aid workers.

"I started off in 1996 with a second-hand Land Rover, which I used to transport people from Mayukwayukwa to Kaoma and [the Western Province capital] Mongu," Bihinda said, adding: "Now I take people all the way to Lusaka."

His wife handles the business in Mayukwayukwa, while Bihinda concentrates on his transportation and construction interests. He has been able to spread some of his good fortune by employing refugees and some Zambians in his ventures.

"From almost nothing, I have accumulated these assets through hard work, sacrifice and resilience over the years," Bihinda said, adding that although his parents came from Angola he felt that Zambia was his home. "Starting a new life outside Zambia might not work for me. So, I want to play a part in Zambia's development in my own small way."

Zambia currently hosts slightly less than 57,000 refugees, mainly Angolans (25,300) and Congolese (21,900), but also including Burundians, Rwandans, Somalians and Ugandans.