Out of Africa

“Where we can buy the fake handbags?”

China’s growing influence in Africa took an entertaining turn this week with the announcement that a Chinese firm would build a Disneyland-style theme park near Johannesburg in South Africa.

Huaqiang Holdings will spend $250 million to create the Fantawild Adventure, which it expects to attract 2 million visitors annually.

The park, the largest of its kind in Africa, will be split into three zones, with China Land celebrating Chinese culture, and the other zones dedicated to African and world cultures.

The project was unveiled at this week’s China International Culture Industries Fair in Shenzhen.

Sina.com reports that Fantawild is not Huaqiang’s first theme park foray. The conglomerate is already building five such attractions in China, and is planning more in tourist hot spots Nigeria, Ukraine and Iran.

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