The Documentary Podcast In the shadow of the railway
Nov 6, 2025
Mawesh Kakumba, a long-serving train inspector, shares heartfelt memories of the Benguela Railway and discusses its impact on his community. Rafael Marquez, an activist and journalist, critiques the Lobito Corridor project, questioning if it truly benefits Angolans or just foreign interests. Chris Masters, a farmer in Huambo, highlights the corridor's agricultural potential and the Kaala logistics platform's promise for better exports. Together, they explore the complex interplay between local needs and global supply chains.
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Railway As A Family Lifeline
- Mawesh Kakumba remembers travelling with his mother at dawn to sell fish, carrying heavy loads and walking hours between markets and the train station.
- His childhood story shows how the Benguela Railway was a vital lifeline for livelihoods before war disrupted services.
Geopolitics Drives The Corridor
- The Lobito Corridor is framed as a US-led alternative to Chinese investment, aimed at securing mineral supply chains to the West.
- That geopolitical goal positions Angola as a strategic transit route rather than solely a local development priority.
Trader Dependent On Train Access
- Fernanda carries huge sacks of broccoli, potatoes and carrots and relies on the train to move produce between provinces.
- She says the train is her livelihood and losing access to it would destroy her income.