Originally founded as the town of Poort Nederland by the Dutch, Malako has grown from a small trading town to a bustling metropolis. Malako is an incredible mix of old and new, poor and rich, East and West and has been ranked by many as Africa's most beautiful cities. In recent years, the city invested in a new transit system which includes bus, tram, subway and elevated rail lines. Malako has also seen a growth in foreign investment and as a result new skyscrapers and building are constantly being built around the city. Lets discover the gateway to Kuwundi.

The National Parliament of Kuwundi

Malako's city centre.

Contrasting with the city's modern skyscrapers and wealthy neighbourhoods is the Mswundu Slum. Making up much of Malako's southern districts, Mswundu is home to almost half of Malako's population.

he Ssusundé Bus station (upper right) is the country's busiest bus station where buses from all over Kuwundi as well as from neighbouring Namibia and Angola bring passengers to Malako.

Unlike the southern part of the city, much of Malako's city centre is made up of beautiful townhouses such as the ones above. When the French made Kuwundi a colony they made it a priority to rebuild the badly damaged city that the Kuwundans had left. Urban planners were brought to Kuwundi to design broad avenues bordered by beautiful townhouses in a way that would mimic the cityscape of Paris. Today the townhouses not only provide housing but also serve as offices and stores.

Place de la République is the starting point for Malako's main roads and boulevards. The French originally designed the square to serve as a market but after President Antonbasa came to power he ordered the construction of a massive monument dedicated to the Kuwundan people. After the fall of communist rule many Kuwundans were tempted to destroy the monument since its construction was financed through blood diamonds and slave labour. However, the new Kuwundan government decided to keep the monument and rededicate it to all those who lost their lives at the hands of colonialism, war and communism.

The Église Saint-Julien was originally constructed by the Dutch and is one of Kuwundi's oldest buildings.

The Université du Kuwundie is one of Africa's most prestigious universities. The university offers programs in Law, Finance, Business, Technology, Social Studies, Math and Science. The original university (behind the large blue tower) was constructed by the Dutch and was called the Universiteit van Nederlands-Afrika and was established in 1861. The large blue tower is known as Tour de la Liberté and was designed to represent Kuwundi's move towards the future. It currently houses offices, university residences, a hotel and private apartments and is one of Africa's tallest buildings.

*More pictures to come