Stuart Cloete se woorde in sy gesprek met die Goewerneur-Generaal van die eertydse Belgiese Kongo in sy boek "The African Giant":
" 'Your Excellency, what would happen if the white man left the Congo?  How long would it last?'
'A few years' he said, 'because we have built well.  The buildings will stand'.
'And then?' I said.
'Then, monsieur, the forest will return'.
This is the classic reply all over the continent.  There is no other answer".

Ja, daar is nie 'n ander antwoord nie.