There are two ways to be rich or super rich in Ethiopia: 1) Be a member of the Tigrean People Liberation Front (Woyanne); or 2) Be a Woyanne butt-kisser. There is no other way. The photos below show how one of these super rich individuals, the owner of Sunshine Construction, lives in Addis Ababa. It is to preserve and expand this ill-gotten wealth that Woyanne will fight tooth and nail to stay in power as long as it can no matter the cost to the people of Ethiopia. It is a good thing to be rich, but not through cruel exploitation and subjugation of other people.
The home of Sunshine Construction owner Samuel Tafesse, a business partner and personal friend of Azeb Mesfin, Meles Zenawi’s wife.
Addis Ababa
Woyanne billionaire Al Amoudi visits Samuel’s house
FORUM | 110 Comments
Elias: Please post photos of how the poor live for comparison.
Ethiopian children in Addis Ababa streets
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[Reply]
March 7th, 2008 at 7:45 PM
Don’t you see why these people want to stay in power as long as they can? They have to be careful not to give a chance for an independent mind to be elected, he will definetely ask questions which they can’t answer.
We don’t need pictures of the poor, we see it everyday. What I would like to see is the pictures of these “balegizewoch” before 1991.
[Reply]
March 7th, 2008 at 7:54 PM
What is wrong with hardworking individuals living up to it? UIf you get same opportunity you would have done same .. let us be realistic ppl..
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March 7th, 2008 at 8:42 PM
He worked for it ! So what is the problem ? The servival of poor depends on the rich people.If you work you will be like him. Mr. Elias
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March 7th, 2008 at 8:58 PM
we will see if he will keep that house he will soon loose it and pay back for the Ethiopian peopple .
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March 7th, 2008 at 10:12 PM
What evidence do you have to accuse this investor as corrupted or any mischief?
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March 7th, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Those kids are fool for not being on organized crime and try get a pie by any means from the wealthy. F**uck with this notion of “yehager leagh” fairy tell, i was one of those kid I would go for the fast lane as those rich did but going against them instead going against poor people.
Amen
[Reply]
March 7th, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Adera tank you for your respond how the Ethiopian poor children are live.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Selam for all,
I am so happy when people work hard and live good life with good stuff, but who are those people who are living in lexury houses? and whey did they get the money to bulid that house?
[Reply]
March 8th, 2008 at 1:56 AM
hi,
Whatever is taken from the people, it will return to the peopole soon on later, i am sure they are not going to carry it when the leave the country. let them bulid it. the day is near. we will see. Shame on those who are sucking the blood of Ethiopains. You will pay it back, as derg did.
God Bless Ethiopia
[Reply]
March 8th, 2008 at 1:58 AM
This should be an issue of concern if only he looted the money, his wealth is the ill-gained through corruption, favoratisim by Woyane, discriminatory application of the laws in his favor such as through custom-free business advantages, use of Woyane looted money, some illegal means like all these Tigreans who are amassing wealth at the cost of other hard working Ethiopians. When a new government is established, the first order of business should be to audit the weatlh of these individuals if any of it came through looting, and unfair Woyane advantages bestowed upon them, unfair monopolies or competition advantages given to them, etc. If it is an ill-gained wealth, it should be confiscated and the people who suffered because of suhch ill-gained weatlh should be compensated through properly established, independent courts, with the right to defend legally his property being fully given to Samuel Tafese.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2008 at 2:04 AM
How an Etiopian accumulate such a wealth without affiliaton to Weyane? after all, all sectors of the economy are owned directly or indirectly by one party.
I really can see that the increasing poverty and ethnic based governance will give an end to the Weyane government.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2008 at 2:06 AM
He is only one of these TPLF-affilated families. Let him enjoy!!
We need to focus on the regime, otherwise talking about an individual would not help the mass. There are much more laxulious lifes in Addis. It is just a life style of TPLF.
If you are brave enough try to demise the regime, if not, let these families enjoy life!
Eta fenta newu wedaje!!
[Reply]
March 8th, 2008 at 2:59 AM
Don’t get jelous.If anybody afford they can live the way they want.It’s nobody’s business.I wish everbody live a better life in Ethiopia.I wish them more wealth and prosperity.
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March 8th, 2008 at 3:05 AM
dear Editor who posted the lifestyle of super rich, I don’t know about the others but regarding Shekh mohammed alamoudi , for you to say it is ill gotten riches showes not your hate towards the rich but your hate of Ethiopia! yes i say this again you hate Ethiopia improving! why i say this? because Shekh alamoudi is a man who rescued Ethiopia by investing billions! also his money is not ill gotten. he worked hard for it in different foregin countries. he has companies in Europe (sweden) and other countries. he could have invested all his money only in Europe couldn’t he? but he decided he invest in Europe a bit but invest in his native poor Ethiopia a lot and he is doing a great job. he not only invests but helps many poor people but you do not publish that obviously. how many sick people (cancer sufferers, people who had no hope at all to be treated in Ethiopias hospitals ) how many seriously ill people with life treatening were helped by sheikh mohammed alamoudi and were sent abroad for medical treatment by his expense?
you don’t write what mohammed alamoudi done and doing for beloved Ethiopia. not all of his kind work but some posted on youtube the link as follows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv_BDPpEZDw&feature=related
watching the videos of winesses especially the acid victim ethiopian women, and other people one only feel tearful the way sheikh mohammed alamoudi helps his country.
please stop hating someone who doesn’t belong to your party or this or that. stand for truth. and Ewnetu (the truth is) this man has done a lot and he brought dignity to ethiopia! and case is closed end of story. he broought you dignity and you hate him for being rich? and what do i call that? JElousy!! by the way do you expect all rich people who worked for it to live on the street of addis like others. Do you know some rich people who are rich now one time may have been homless themselves but worked hard and found a way to become who they are now. and rich people in ethiopia do help poor people. but just because there are poor people in Ehtiopia to ask the rich to give up good life they worked hard for is ridiculous! what about you ethiopianreview editors? have you ever tried to give upe some of your compfortable home and maybe go and rent a very cheap place to live and save that money and send it to the street childreen in addis ababa? i am sure of that you havent and you won’t accept to live in very basic necessity and save dollar in order to send it to the needy to ethiopia. so don’t preach to others which you don’t practice! and you may say to me because you have no billions. but do you know 30 dollar per month feed many street children in Ethiopia! be good start it yourself. oh.. i forgot you are just doing the hating the good job is done for ethiopia by true Ethiopian heros, people like Sheikh mohammed alamoudi! long live the most kind hearted son of Ethiopia Shekh mohammed alamoudi!
[Reply]
March 8th, 2008 at 3:28 AM
We should be proud of it the peopple who worked very hard and lives good.
We need many peopple like Sheik Almoudi and Mr.Taffese who can invest and creat more jobs to ethiopians peopple.
Keep it up for god job!! and God Bless u guys.
GOD BLESS ETHIOPIA
[Reply]
March 8th, 2008 at 3:56 AM
It is good to know of these unpleasant facts. But Ethiopian politics is far beyond the existance of wealthy and extremely desperate one in the same zone.
The most horrific aspect is the uncertainity about the future while everybody is speaking of hope.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2008 at 4:39 AM
It is nothing but jelousy, Elias. What can this man do? He stood on the line, run and got his maximum. I hope he will do the same. No please guys, let us not see eachother with red eyes. That is not fair, so be fair.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2008 at 5:20 AM
I think that both views though extreme have some elements of truth. One the one hand, wealth accomulation through corrupt and similar malpractices must not be accepted–this has to be seen on a case-by-case bases. On the other hand, every one including the most reach Ethiopians are free to be reach and the positive side of it have to be consider in terms of helping the poor and the development in general. I think our poor legacy eventually lead us to jeloucy and even to confiscation of the wealth of people–the Derg did it but didn’t help the poor rather the elits. So, wogen, please be aware of the pros adn cons of these two extreme views. It is good to get rid of exterimism.
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March 8th, 2008 at 5:52 AM
you work hard you play hard. what’s wrong with accumulating wealth . Are you folks saying that ato hailu the 75 million birr man should also return his money for the street kids . This is typical “ene kalnorku serdo aybkel zebegna” mentality. how’bout the bonga family should they also give their wealth to the poor………
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March 8th, 2008 at 6:10 AM
Hey guy, don’t be narrowed. I know many people are working hard back home and becoming richer than anybody expects, though there are many who are woyane affilated. I don’t know Samuel and the way he is rich, but I tell you there are many rich people who are pure and true owners of their business and are living the best life one can live here in the west. Before we level someone, let us try to know him/her very well.That is what we see damaging our people and country.
We have to encourage those who are working hard for better life.
Keep on the hard workers and those who are woyane and their affilated, you will pay it sooner or later.
God bless Ethiopia
[Reply]
March 8th, 2008 at 6:36 AM
you are jelous. tray to became like this rather ……..
[Reply]
March 8th, 2008 at 7:28 AM
oww no this is not fair please, there are many people has such kinds of house. you can read here:-የድርጅታቸው ዋና መስሪያ ቤት ውስጥ ያላቸው ቢሮና ቢሮውን ውበት የሰጡት የቢሮ ቁሳቁሶች ባለሀብቱ ጥሩ ነገር ማየት እንደሚወዱ ይመሰክራል፡፡ በዘመናዊ ዲዛይን በልዩ ትዕዛዝ በተሰሩ እቃዎች የተዋበው የመኖረያ ቤታቸውም (ቪላ) የጐበኙትና በአጠገቡ ያለፉ በሙሉ አድንቀውላቸዋል፡፡
ሲጃራና ማስቲካ ቸርችረዋል፡፡ የተቀደደ ጣሪያ በማደስና ቀለም በመቀባት የኮንስትራክሽን ሥራን የተቀላቀሉት ባለሀብት አቶ ሳሙኤል ታፈሰ ተወልደው ያደጉት አዲስ አበባ ጨርቆስ (ቂርቆስ) ነው፡፡
በቅርቡ ካሰሩት ቪላ ቤት ምረቃ ጋር 50ኛ የልደት በዓላቸውን አክብረዋል፡፡ ባለትዳርና የስድስት ልጆች አባት ናቸው፡፡ አሰግድ ተፈራ አነጋግሯቸዋል፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- ወደ ኮንስትራክሽን ሥራ ሲገቡ ካፒታል ነበረዎት?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- አንድ ከስቴዲየም ዙሪያ የገዛኋት ጥሩ የቆዳ ጃኬትና 500 ብር ብቻ ነበረኝ፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- ታዲያ እንዴት ፈቃድ አገኙ?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- አባቴ በፍልውሀዎች ድርጅት ተቀጥሮ በቀለም ቀቢነት፣ በግንበኛነትና በፎርማንነት ይሠራ ነበር፡፡ ይከፈለው የነበረው በወር 2ዐዐ ብር ብቻ ስለነበር የቤተሰባችንን ኑሮ ለማገዝ በየመንደሩ ቱታ ለብሼ ከትምህርቴ ጐን ለጐን የቀለም መቀባት ሥራ ጀመርኩ፡፡ በ1976 ዓ.ም በወቅቱ የኮንስትራክሽን ሚኒስቴር እስከ አንድ መቶ ሺህ ብር የሚደርስ የኮንስትራክሽን ፈቃድ ለመስጠት የ10 ሺህ ብር የባንክ አካውንት ይጠይቅ ነበር፡፡ አንድ ወዳጄን አሳዝኜ ገንዘቡን ባንክ በስሜ እንዲያስገባልኝ ለመንኩት፡፡ የራሴን 5ዐዐ ብር ጨምሬ 10”500 ብር የኢትዮጵያ ንግድ ባንክ አስገብቼ ለኮንስትራክሽን ሚኒስቴር ካሳየሁ በኋላ በዕለቱ ገንዘቡን አውጥቼ መለስኩ፡፡ በወቅቱ መተማመን አለ፡፡ ክህደት ብሎ ነገር የለም፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- ፈቃድ ካወጡ በኋላ መጀመሪያ የተረከቡት ሥራ ምን ነበር?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- ለመጀመሪያ ጊዜ የሠራሁት የዋቢ ሸበሌን የጣራ እድሳት ነው፡፡ አንድ መቶ ሺህ ብር ነበር ዋጋው፡፡ በወቅቱ ገንዘብ ወስዶ የሚከዳ ስለሌለ ነው መሰለኝ ያለምንም መያዣ ሃያ ሺህ ብር ቅድሚያ ተሰጠኝ፡፡ ባገኘሁት ገንዘብ እቃ ገዛዝቼ ሥራውን ጀመርኩ፡፡ 25 ሺህ ብር አተረፍኩ፡፡ ከትርፉ ታሪካዊዋን ቶዮታ ቀስት መኪና ገዛሁ፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- ቀጣይ ሥራዎ ምን ሆነ?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- የሚያፈስ ጣሪያ መፈለግና ማፈላለግ ጀመርኩ፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- ጓደኞችዎ “ሳሙኤል ጣሪያ” ያሉዎት ለዚህ ነው?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- የዘውዲቱ፣ የጥቁር አንበሳ፣ የጳውሎስ ሆስፒታል፣ የስታዲየምን፣ የትምባሆ ሞኖፖል፣ አባቴ ይሰራበት የነበረውን የፍልውሃዎች ድርጅት ጣራ ሳድስ በዛው ጓደኞቼ ሳሙኤል ጣሪያ አሉኝ፡፡ ያደስኩት የሚያፈስ ጣራ ቁጥር ስፍር የለውም፡፡ የሚያፈስ ጣሪያ በመሥራት ተካንኩ፡፡ የወተር ፕሩፍን ሥራ ባለሙያ ለመሆን ቻልኩ፡፡ እግረ መንገዴንም ደረጃዬን እያሳደግኩ 2.5 ሚሊዮን የሚያወጣ ሥራ መሥራት የምችልበት ደረጃ ላይ ደረስኩ፡፡ ለመጀመሪያ ጊዜ የኮንስትራክሽን ሥራ ከትምባሆ ሞኖፖል ወስጄ ሠራሁ፡፡ ከ1976 እስከ 1980 ጣራ ሳድስ ቆየሁ፡፡ በ1983 ትልቅ የምለውን ሥራ ስሠራ ኮሌኔል መንግሥቱ አገር ለቅቀው የወጡበት ጊዜም የማልረሳው የመደናገጥ ግጥምጥም ነው፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- ከ1983 ዓ.ም ወዲህ በሚያስገርም ፍጥነት የባለሀብቶችን ጐራ ተቀላቅለዋል፡፡ ምስጢሩ ምንድነው?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- ምንም ምስጢር የለውም፡፡ በደርግ ጊዜ እድሳትና አነስተኛ ሥራዎች እንጂ ከፍተኛ የኮንትራት ሥራ የለም፡፡ ኢህአዴግ ኢትዮጵያን ማስተዳደር ከጀመረ በኋላ የኮንስትራክሽ ሥራ ፀሐይ ወጣለት፡፡ ለዘርፉ በተከፈተው የሥራ መስክ ተጠቃሚ ለመሆን ቻልኩ፡፡ በዝርዝር ልገልፃቸው የማልችላቸውን ታላላቅ ፕሮጀክቶች መሥራት ጀመርኩ፡፡ ቀደም ሲል በአንድ ፒክአፕ መኪና ሾፌር፣ መሀንዲስ፣ ገንዘብ ከፋይ፣ አስተዳደሪ ወዘተ. ሆኜ ስሠራ የነበረበት ታሪክ ተለወጠ፡፡ ቃሊቲ ቢሮ ከፈትኩ፡፡ በየዘርፉ ባለሙያዎች ተቀጠሩ፡፡ ዛሬ ከስድስት ሺህ በላይ ሠራተኞች ያሉት ድርጅት ለመፍጠር በቃሁ፡፡ ምንም ምስጢር የለም የምለው ይህንን ነው፡፡ ምስጢሩ መሥራት ነው፡፡ ማንኛውም ሰው መሥራት ከቻለና ያገኘውን ከሳንቲም ቤት ጀምሮ ሳይንቅ በአግባቡ ከተጠቀመ ያድጋል፡፡ ልዩ እርዳታም አያስፈልገውም፡፡ በየደረጃው በእጃችን ያለውን እየበተንን ለማደግ የምናስብ ከሆነ ስህተት ነው፡፡ እኔ ሲጋራም እሸጥ ነበር፡፡ የአበባ ቀለም ለዘመን መለወጪያ እሸጥ ነበር፡፡ አበባ እየሰራሁ እሸጥ ነበር፡፡ ከሁሉም የማገኘውን ቤተሰብ በመርዳት፣ ወንድምና እህቶቼን እያስተማርኩ የሚተርፈኝን አስቀምጥ ነበር፡፡ ከዜሮ ተነስቼ ያደግኩት ምስጢር ይህ ነው፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- መኖሪያ ቤትዎ ቆንጆ ነው፤
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- መኖሪያ ቤቴ ብቻ ሳይሆን ቢሮዬም ቆንጆ ነው፡፡ ይህንን ያደረግኩት ሆን ብዬ ነው፡፡ በውጪ አገር ለአገራችን ያለው አመለካከት በጣም ዝቅተኛ ነው፡፡ ከከፍተኛ የቢዝነስ ድርጅቶች ጋር ስንገናኝ ለእኛ ያላቸው ትኩረት ብዙም ደስ የሚል አይደለም፡፡ በዚህ በጣም እናደዳለሁ፡፡ እልህም ይይዘኛል፡፡ በዚህ ምክንያት ከእነሱ የተሻለ ነገር ሰርቼ ማሳየት አለብኝ በሚል ዘመናዊ ቢሮ አሰራሁ፡፡ የተለያዩ ኩባንያዎች ከውጪ አገር ሲመጡ ቢሯችንን ተመልክተው ይደነቃሉ፡፡ ለካ ኢትዮጵያ ውስጥም እንዲህ ዓይነት ድርጅት አለ ይላሉ፡፡ የመኖሪያ ቤቴም ከዚህ የሚለይ አይደለም፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- የሰሩት ቤት ተጋኗል የሚሉ አሉ፤
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- በጣም የሚያምር ነገር ሳይ እረካለሁ፡፡ ውብ ነገር ስመለከት እደሰታለሁ፡፡ እየሰራን ባለው ሪል ስቴት ውስጥ ከገባሁ ውጣ ውጣ አይለኝም፡፡ የሌሎች አገሮች ባለሀብቶች የሚያሰሯቸው ቪላዎችና ልዩ መኖሪያዎች ለምን እኛ አገር አይኖሩም?
ሪፖርተር፡- ድሆችን መርዳት ቢቀድምስ የሚሉ አሉ፤
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- ስለድህነትና ድህነት እንዴት እንደሚያደርግ ጠንቅቄ አውቃለሁ፡፡ በመረዳዳትም አምናለሁ፡፡ መተዛዘን እንደሚገባንም እረዳለሁ፡፡ አብዛኞች አዲሱን መኖሪያ ቤቴን ተመልክተው አብዛኛው ሕዝብ ደሀ በሆነባት አገር ውስጥ እንደዚህ ዓይነት ቤት መሥራት አግባብ እንዳልሆነ ይነግሩኛል፡፡ አንዳንዶቹ ደግሞ በፊልም የምናየውን ቤት ይመስላል፡፡ በውጪ አገር ቢሊየነሮች የሚያሰሩት ቤት ይመስላል የሚሉና ደስታቸውን የሚገልፁ አሉ፡፡ ሁልጊዜ ሁለት ዓይነት አስተያየት የሚጠበቅ ነው፡፡ ሼክ መሀመድ አላሙዲ ሸራተንን ፈር ቀዳጅ በአገራችን በመስህብነት ጉልበት ፈጥሯል፡፡ በዚህ ሁላችንም በማሠራታቸው ደስ ሊለን ይገባል፡፡ እንግዶቻችንን ወስደን እንጋብዛለን፡፡ እንዝናናለን፡፡ የሚዝናናበት ሕዝብ ነው፡፡ የአገርንም አቅም ከፍ ያደርጋል፡፡ ገና ለገና ድህነት ውስጥ ነን በማለት ከፍተኛ ኢንቨስትመንት ከማካሄድ ወደ ኋላ ማለት አይቻልም፡፡ ከፍተኛ ግንባታ መሥራትን በማቆም ድህነትን መቀነስ አይቻልም፡፡ አገራችንን ሁላችንም ባልችን ሀብትና ጉልበት ተባብረን ካልለወጥናት፣ ካልሰራንባት መቼ ትለወጣለች? መጪው ትውልድ መቀየር አለበት፡፡ ዛሬ ከሩስያና ከሕንድ ከፍተኛ የዓለማችን ቱጃሮች እየወጡ ነው፡፡ ብልጫውን እየያዙ ነው፡፡ እኛም መንግሥት ብቻውን አገር መለወጥ እንደማይችል ተገንዝበን አገራችንን ለመቀየር መጣር አለብን፡፡ ዋናውና ትልቁ ነገር ደግሞ አገራችን ላይ ሰርተን ከአገራችን ያገኘነውን ሀብት አገራችን ውስጥ ማፍሰስ አለብን፡፡ ድህነትን መቀነስ፣ ማጥፋትና መርሳት የሚቻለው በዚህ መልኩ ብቻ ነው፡፡ ዋናውና ትልቁ ነገር በአስተሳሰብ መለወጥ ነው፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- የአገራችን ባለሀብቶች ብራቸውን አገር ቤት ካላስቀመጡና አገራቸው ላይ ካላለሙ ችግር ነው እያሉ ነው?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- ዱባይ ያደገችው ዜጐቿ ያላቸውን ሀብት መሉ በሙሉ አገራቸው ላይ በማስቀመጣቸው ነው፡፡ እኛም ሀብታችንን እዚሁ በማስቀመጥ አገራችንን መቀየር አለብን፡፡ ይህንን ካላደረግንና አገራችን የሰጠችንን ሀብት ወደ ውጭ ይዘን የምንሄድ ከሆነ የትም አንደርስም፡፡ ፍርሀት አለ፡፡ ልንፈራ ግን አይገባም፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- የምን ፍርሀት?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- በደርግ ጊዜ የነበረው ሁኔታ የፈጠረው ፍርሀት፡፡ በደርግ ጊዜ ንብረቱን ሲነጠቅ፣ ሚስቱን ሲቀማ ፈሪ ሆኖ ቀረ፡፡ ያ ችግር ዛሬም ሙሉ በሙሉ የዳነ አይመስለኝም፡፡ ጠባሳው ዛሬም ድረስ አለ፡፡ ቆንጆ መኪና፣ ቆንጆ ቤት፣ ቆንጆ ነገር ሲያዝ “አይን ውስጥ ትገባለህ” የሚባል ምክር ከየአቅጣጫው ይመጣል፡፡ እንዲህ ያለው ምክር ቀደም ብዬ የገለፅኩት ፍርሃት የፈጠረው ስሜት ነው፡፡ በግሌ አልቀበለውም፡፡ አየር ላይ የሚንጠለጠል ቤት መሥራት ከተቻለ እሰራለሁ፡፡ የምሠራው ግን አገሬ ላይ ብቻ ነው፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- አለ የሚሉት ፍርሃት እንዴት ማስወገድ ይቻላል?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- አሁንም ፍርሃትን የሚፈጥሩ ጉዳዮች አሉ፡፡ ግብር፣ ቀረጥ፣ ታክስ በአግባቡ አለመክፈል፡፡ በአቋራጭ ለመክበር ሕጋዊ መንገድን አለመጣስ፡፡ ሕግንና ሕግን ብቻ ተከትሎ አለመሥራት ካለ ያስፈራል፡፡ ሕግን ጠብቄ ከሠራሁ ምን ያስፈራኛል፡፡ ሕግን ጠብቆና አክብሮ በመሥራት ያገኙትን አገር ውስጥ ማስቀመጥ ከሀብት በላይ ልዩ ኩራት ይሰጣል፡፡ ጥለነውም ብንሄድ ለአገር ነው፡፡ አገር ውስጥ ሰርቶ በማግኘት አገር ውስጥ ማልማት ያኮራል፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- እርስዎ በውጪ አገር የመኖሪያ ቤት የለዎትም?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- የልጆቼ አለ፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- እዚህ ለምን አይሰሩትም?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- በሚኖሩበት አገር ለራሳቸው መኖሪያ ሰርተዋል፡፡ እኔም ስሄድ አርፍበታለሁ፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- በውጪ አገር ባንኮች ገንዘብ አለዎት?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- የለኝም፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- በተለይ የእርስዎ መኖሪያ ልዩ የሚያደርገው ምንድነው?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- ከሁሉም በላይ አጨራረሱና የማስዋቢያ እቃዎቹ ቤቱን ልዩ ያደረጉት ይመስለኛል፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- ለቤትዎ ማስዋቢያ የተጠቀሙበት የእቃ ዓይነት ልዩ እንደሆነ ይነገራል፤
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- እያንዳንዱ ክፍል ሰፊ ነው፡፡ ማስተር ቤድ ሩሙ 400 ካሬ ሜትር ነው፡፡ ማስተር ቤድ ሩሙ ሳሎን፣ መኝታ፣ መታጠቢያ፣ መልበሻ ወዘተ. አለው፡፡ ሌላው ቤቱን ውድ የሚያደርገው የቪላው በር በቫቲካን አገር የቫቲካን ቤተክርስቲያን ላይ የተገጠመው የእንጨት በር በመገጠሙ ነው፡፡ እምነበረዱ የስፔን ነው፡፡ የመታጠቢያና የመፀዳጃ እቃዎቹ ከእምነበረድ የተሰሩ ናቸው፡፡ ፓርኬ (Parquet) የመሬት ጣውላው የመጣው ከአውስትራሊያ ነው፡፡ ዋጋው ውድ ነው፡፡ መብራቶቹ የመጡት ከቻይና በትዕዛዝ ነው፡፡ የራሱ መዋኛ አለው፡፡ የዋናውን ባሕር ተጠግቶ የተለያዩ አገልግሎቶች የሚሰጥ ቀለል ያለ ቪላ አለ፡፡ ይህንን ስል አስቀድሞ እንደተባለው ተጋኗል ሊባል ይችላል፡፡ ቤቱ ግን ለአገር ቅርስ ነው፡፡ ሌሎች ባለሀብቶችንም ይቀሰቅሳል፡፡ ሼክ መሀመድ ከፍተኛ ኢንቨስትመንት ማካሄዳቸው ሌሎችን ያደፋፍራል፡፡ ኢንቨስትመንት ይስፋፋል፣ ሥራ ይፈጠራል፣ ሀገር ይለማል፡፡ ከዚህ አንፃር ቢታይ ጥሩ ነው፡፡ በተለይ በተለይ በተፈጠረው ሰላምና የመሥራት መብት ተጠቅመን እያሳየን ያለውን ለውጥ ለውጪው አገር ሕዝቦች ማሳየት ይገባናል፡፡ የቤቱን ዲዛይን ወስደው ሌሎችም ቢሰሩት ደስ ይለኛል፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- ከኢንቨስትመንት ጋር በተያያዘ ለህብረተሰቡ ሰራሁ የሚሉት የተለየ ነገር ምንድነው?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- ሆስፒታሎች፣ የጉድጓድ ውሀ ሰርተናል፡፡ አሁን ግን የተለየ ሥራ መሥራት ጀምረናል፡፡ አንድ ሰው ወይም ቤተሰቡ ተለይተው ወጥተው ሀብታም ቢሆኑና የራሳቸውን ኑሮ ብቻ ቢኖሩ ዋጋ የለውም፡፡ የሌላውን ሕዝብ ኑሮም መኖር ያስፈልጋል፡፡ አስቀድሜ መተዛዘን አለብን ያልኩት ለዚሁ ነው፡፡ በአንድ አገር ሁሉም ሰው ሀብታም ሊሆን አይችልም፡፡ ቢቻል ግን 80 – 90 በመቶ የሚሆነው መካከለኛ ኑሮ እንዲኖር ለማድረግ ኢትዮጵያዊ ነኝ የሚል መረባረብ አለበት፡፡ ከግል ስኬት በላይ አገራዊ ስኬት ከፍተኛ ኩራት ይሰጣል፡፡ አገር ተሳክቶላት ከማየት በላይ የሚያስደስት ምን አለ?
ሪፖርተር፡- የተለየ የጀመራችሁት ሥራ ምንድነው?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- ሰንሻይን ሕንፃ ከዛሬ 1ዐ ዓመት በፊት ተሰራ፡፡ እዳውን ከፍሎ ጨርሷል፡፡ በዓመት ከ6 ሚሊዮን ብር በላይ ገቢ ያገኛል፡፡ ይህንን ብር ዝም ብለን ከምንሰበስብ ለምን አሳሳቢ በሆኑ ችግሮች ላይ አትኩረን አንሰራም በማለት ጠየቅን፡፡ በኤች.አይ.ቪ/ኤድስ እናትና አባት የሞቱባቸው ህፃናት አሉ፡፡ እነዚህን ልጆች ማን ያሳድጋቸው? የሚለው የጊዜው አሳሳሰቢ ችግር በመሆኑ የበኩላችንን ለማድረግ ወሰንን፡፡ በአምስት ክፍሎች ለእያንዳዳቸው 5 ሚሊዮን ብር በማውጣት በየዓመቱ 400 ተማሪዎች የሚይዝ ትምህርት ቤት የመሥራት እቅዳችንን ባለፈው ዓመት የኦሮሚያ ፕሬዚዳንት በተገኙበት በነቀምት የመሠረት ድንጋይ አስቀምጠን አሁን ግንባታውን ጀመርን፡፡ ለተማሪዎቹ በወር 150 ብር የኪስ ገንዘብ፣ ዩኒፎርም፣ የመማሪያ መሳሪያዎች የመምህራን ደመወዝና የሥራ ማስኬጃ እንመድባለን፡፡ ትምህርታቸውን ከጨረሱ በኋላ ጐበዝ ተማሪዎችን መርጠን ኮሌጅ እንዲማሩ የማድረግ፣ ከዚያም አልፎ የስኮላርሺፕ እድል የሚገኝበት መንገድ እንፈልጋለን፡፡ በቀጣዩ ዓመት አዲስ አበባ፣ በአማራ፣ በትግራይ፣ በደቡብ ክልል እንሰራለን፡፡ ወደፊትም ያሰብናቸው ጉዳዮች አሉ፡፡ ኢትዮጵያውያን እርስ በእርሳችን መረዳዳት አለብን፡፡ የውጪ አገር ዜጐችን እጅ መጠበቅ የለብንም፡፡ በራችንን ዘግተን ሌላውን አያሳየኝ ማለት ኑሮን መኖር አይደለም፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- ካፒታልዎ ምን ያህል ነው?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- አንድ ቢሊዮን ይደርሳል፡፡ ይህ እንግዲህ ቋሚ ካፒታል መሆኑ ነው፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- የባንክ ብድር አለብዎ?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- አለብኝ፡፡ ከባንክ የማይበደር ኢንቨስተር የለም፡፡ ካለም ኢንቨስተር አይባልም፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- አብዛኛውን ጊዜ ባለሀብቶች ከባንክ የተበደሩትን የገንዘብ መጠን መግለፅ አይፈልጉም፡፡ ወይም ይፈራሉ፡፡ እርስዎስ?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- ትክክለኛውን አሃዝ ከፋይናንስ ክፍል ጋር ተነጋግሬ መግለፅ እችላለሁ፡፡ ተበድሬያለሁ፡፡ በተበደርኩት ገንዘብ ሰርቻለሁ፡፡ በወቅቱ መክፈል የሚገባኝን እዳ እከፍላለሁ፡፡ እኔ ስከፍል ሌሎች ይበደራሉ፡፡ ተበድሮ አለመክፈል እንጂ የተበደሩትን መጠን መናገር አያስፈራም፡፡ በዓለም ላይ ያሉ የመጨረሻ ሀብታሞች ይበደራሉ፡፡ ሰሞኑን የቡታጅራ አገና የመንገድ ሥራ ፕሮጀክት በ637 ሚሊዮን ብር ወሰድን፡፡ ለ637 ሚሊዮን መንገድ ፕሮጀክት የ100 ሚሊዮን ብር ማሽኖች ያስፈልጋሉ፡፡ ለዚህም ግዢ ከህብረት ባንክ ጋር ባደረግነው ስምምነት 60 ከመቶ ተከፈለልን፡፡ 40 ከመቶ ከድርጅታችን ወጪ ተደረገ፡፡ እኛ የምንበደረው በፕሮጀክት ነው፡፡ ብድሩም ተከፍሎ የሚያልቀው ፕሮጀክቱ ሲያልቅ ነው፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- ያለብዎትን የብድር መጠን አልነገሩኝም?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- ትክክለኛ ቁጥሩን ለጊዜው ለመናገር ስለምቸገር እንጂ ለመደበቅ አይደለም፡፡ ከ200 እስከ 300 ሚሊዮን ይሆናል፡፡ የአንድ ቢሊዮን ብር ቋሚ ካፒታል ያለው ድርጅት ከ200 እስከ 300 ሚሊዮን ብር ቢወስድ አነሰ እንጂ በዛ የሚል አይኖርም፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- ሊገነቡ ላሰቡትና እየገነቡ ላሉት ሆቴል የተለየ ስምምነት አለዎት?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- ይህ ሆቴል ኢንዱስትሪ አይር (AYR) ከሚባል የአሜሪካ ኩባንያ ጋር የጋራ ኢንቨስትመንት (Joint Venture) ስምምነት በቅርቡ ተፈራርመናል፡፡ የሆቴሉ ተጨማሪ የህንፃ ግንባታ ሥራ በቀጣዮቹ ወራት ተጀምሮ በሁለት ዓመት ተኩል ጊዜ ውስጥ ይጠናቀቃል፡፡ ሆቴሉ ይፈጃል የተባለውን 850 ሚሊዮን ብር ከአይር ኩባንያ ጋር በመደራደር ብድር ለመውሰድ ተስማምተናል፡፡ እስከ 500 ሚሊዮን ብር ሊሰጡን ይችላሉ፡፡ ማደግና መሥራት የሚቻለው በባንክ ብድር ነው፡፡ ዋናውና ትልቁ ነገር ግን ከባንክ የተወሰደውን ገንዘብ በሚያተርፍ ነገር ላይ አውሎ በአግባቡ መመለሱ ላይ ነው፡፡ ይህንን ያደረገ ሰው ማደግ ይችላል፡፡ ከቢሊኒየር አባት የተወለደ ከአባቱ ሀብት ተነስቶ ሀብታም ሊሆን ይችላል፡፡ እንደኔ ከምንም ነገር የተነሳ ደግሞ ከባንክ ብቻ ይበደራል፡፡ በባንክ ሰርቶ ይሻሻላል፡፡
ሪፖርተር፡- በባንክ እዳ ከስረው የሚዘጉና ንብረታቸው የሚሸጥ በርካታ ድርጅቶች አሉ፡፡ የሰንሻይን የተለየ ተሞክሮ ምንድነው?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- የምንበደረው በፕሮጀክቶች ነው፡፡ የተበደርነውን ለተበደርንበት አገልግሎት ብቻ እናውላለን፡፡ ኩባንያዎች እቃ እንዲሰጡን ስንጠይቅ እንጠነቀቃለን፡፡ የምንወስደውን ብድር ፕሮጀክቱ ሲጠናቀቅ ፋይሉን ከእዳ ነፃ ብለን እንዘጋለን፡፡ የተለየ ተአምር አንሰራም፡፡ ማንም የተበደረውን በጊዜው ከከፈለ አበዳሪ አያጣም፡፡ ብድር የጀመርኩት በአስር ሺህ ብር ነበር፡፡ ጠዋት ተበደርኩ ከሰዓት በኋላ መለስኩ፡፡ የመክፈል ልምድ አለኝ፡፡ አንዳንዴ የሚገርሙ ቀልዶችን እሰማለሁ፡፡ አንዳንድ ሰዎች ከባንክ ይበደሩና በዚያ ባንክ በኩል ማለፍ ያቆማሉ፡፡ የባንክ ስም ሲነሳ ይደነግጣሉ፡፡ ባንኩን ከመሸሽ ይልቅ ገንዘቡ ሳያልቅ የምክር አገልግሎት መጠየቅ ይጠቅማል፡፡ ሙሉ በሙሉ እዳ ውስጥ ከመነከር በፊት ምክር ቢጠየቅ ባንኮች ተጨማሪ ገንዘብ ሰጥተው ከውድቀትም ያነሳሉ፡፡
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March 8th, 2008 at 7:43 AM
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March 8th, 2008 at 7:45 AM
I thought it was an arabian harem. :)
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March 8th, 2008 at 7:52 AM
wow, this is sad! So its a crime to be rich in Ethiopia? Aren’t we all leaving a live of lexuery in the west?
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March 8th, 2008 at 8:26 AM
Also why don’t you think of this as something a national treasure. This person will pass but such a work of art will remain in the land of Ethiopia. In the future it can serve as a museum of fine art, an opera or a traditional music house, or something that the country can find it useful for. Such a large, beautiful, and extravagant house would have remained the property of others had this person decided to build it outside Ethiopia. What we invest inside of Ethiopia, directly or indirectly, belongs to Ethiopians; what we invest outside of Ethiopia belongs to others and has a little impact on our poor country.
It is true such a fancy house may not mean anything for the average poor people who live a miserable life. Knowing that most of the Diaspora own fancy houses of theirs in the West, I respect the choice this courageous person and admire his decision.
Whether the money is stolen from Ethiopians or a fruit of his hard work, the house is built IN ETHIOPIA. That makes it a national treasure.
Let’s learn to admire people for what they have achieved instead of being demonizing them.
Thank you,
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March 8th, 2008 at 11:00 AM
when justice grabs the robbers by the neck, for sure, these thieves will be chocked on their own sins and crimes.
Today, the crimefamilies and their associates live in Ethiopia extravagantly on the resources they exploited and on the treasures and wealth they stole from the more than 75 million Ethiopians.
It is well expected and well sought for, as well as, well awaited that when these thieves capture in the very near future, it is goiing to be the delightest moment of the sons and daughters of Ethiopia that indeed, it would be the end of the notorious and the soon-to-be catured crimefamily of that robber Meles Naziawi.
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March 8th, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Elias,
Samuel Tafesse inagurated this modern villa on January 13, 2008. The event coincided with his birthday andr and his daughter’s wedding. On the occasion Samuel fired successive fireworks without bothering to get permision to do so from the local police or authorites.The firework sound disturbed the Bole Medhanialem neighbourhood. Many people panicked and got annoyed by the unusuall and unexpected disturbing sound 0f the fireworks.
Who else can do such public offense and get away with it without being question unless he is……………………..???
This incident was even reported by pro weyane newspaer…Reporter.
To read the whole report pls click the following
http://www.ethiopianreporter.com/content/view/233/1/
Hunegnaw
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March 8th, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Ato Samueal on his interview to the reporter says THE DOORS was designed and imported from VATICAN the lighting system was ordered from CHAINA , the floor was fetched from AOUSTRALIA . is it coz those products do not exist in ETHIOPIA or it was just that they got enough money to splash around the world to satisfy WOYANIE MASTERS ? and some ppl r commenting and posting who ever is against this illegal wealth amassing is labeled as jealous , it is not about being jealousy it is all about fairness . Ato Samuel according to the interview with REPORTER he only had ten thousand birr about 19 yrs ago (that is not even is his it was only to show the company) . now he is 1 billion capital tujar . am not stupid to convince ma self this wealth was created through hard work and honesty . don’t get me wrong am not saying one can not change his or her life 4 a better if he or she works hard but has got a limit . such huge wealth in such a short period of time cant happen unless there is a tricky way of special treatment by the financial institutions and the ruling power . and finaly what i want to say is it is only about being given a fair opportunity with out being favorable to the one in power. otherwise the poor kids in the above pic right under a stinky bridge if they got the balance and fair chance to play a role in their motherland they would not end up where they r right now .
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March 8th, 2008 at 12:44 PM
If the story is true, we should be proud of the guy. I am not sure though if there is a person who starts from nothing and can end up with such kind of wealth. The very idea of business profit is made at the expense of someone. I agree business should make profit, that is how the profit margins works, but sometimes to succeeded this way, you have to be a throat cutting merceneray. Any way, congradualtions Sir, well done–my thumbs up to you as you keep on sharig! Redeem yourself in case there is heaven!
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March 8th, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Hailu’s 75m birrs are ill gotton.
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March 8th, 2008 at 1:07 PM
You know, I like your site and I regularly come here for news and updates, but I must say that what you just posted here is nothing but a BS! I mean come on now, you can do better than this. Let the guy live what ever kind of lifestyle he can afford. After all it’s his own money. I don’t know if you can provide us with some sort of evidence along with those pictures as to how he got his money. But, if it’s just ‘ye buna bet wore’ just keep it for yourself man. In case you didn’t know there is what’s called a 20/80 thing – Twenty percent of the people usually control Eighty percent of the wealth in almost every where and that is also true in Ethiopia. But, don’t get me wrong here, I’m not supporting or in any way advocating corruption and abuse of power. But, if someone has somehow earned it and is able to live that kinda lifestyle even in a poor country like ours, so let it be!
Just get life dude, get life….geeez
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March 8th, 2008 at 1:10 PM
If our intention is to bring a just society, we have to be reserved from judging others.
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March 8th, 2008 at 1:11 PM
You showed us Elias only tip of the iceberg.
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March 8th, 2008 at 4:23 PM
It is not fair to generalize and draw analogy between brute leadership and high-end individual lifestyle. It doesnot bother me if some people enjoy a high-end lifestyle in contrast to the living standard of the mass. Unfortunately, that is how the world is. It would be a fairy tale to expect a voluntary trickledown of wealth from the rich to the poor. Let alone in Africa, it does not happen in the west. Well, we have tried to creat equity through socialism and it did not work…where are we now? Go and see how the celebrities spend money in the States, ask about the growing gap between the low-income citizens and the rich in eastern Europe. I do not know if the woyane corruption fever has infected Ato Samuel, but I can testify for sure that he was already emerging as a successful businessman long time before Woyane came to power. Having sayed that, I am saddened to hear that Ato Samuel tried to impress his western counterparts by setting up a western working and living environment. His his esclectical test is even worse. As a Constuction giant, I expect him to creat a new system that puts his countries lifestyle and construction system in the forefront. In fact, this was a great opprtunity for him to experiment with local materials, architectural styles and interior designs and upgrade them to a higher and unique standard. By doing that he could have put his signature in the world map. I am tired of victorian style revivalist, classicalist, buddhist…..Ethiopia has better to offer.
selam
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March 8th, 2008 at 5:05 PM
The world of Meles Seitanawi, Al Amoudi, and Samuel Tafesse, is a world of “nothing matters except me.”
I have seen many gorgeous houses in my life but never like Tafesse’s heaven-like home in the land of few super rich and many super poor.
We Ethiopians mostly associate wealth with sin, corruption, selfishness, lust, excess, licentiousness, wantonness, shamelessness, filthiness, and many other evil things. The reason is simply that we have been taught that rich people are evil, and they will never inherit the kingdom of God. On Sunday morning, most of us may have heard preachers sermonize about what Jesus has said concerning a rich person: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God’” (Matthew 19:23-24). To me personally, the corrupt rich do not need heaven; their heaven is on this earth, but the oppressed poor need heaven because they have never seen or felt what happiness is, so heaven is their last chance to exercise happiness if they can make it to reach there without any hindrance. We know by faith that the poor Lazarus enjoyed life with Abraham while the corrupt super Rich was in hell in torment. “…he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony’” (Luke 16:23-25).
To earn money by deception, shenanigan, blackmailing, stealing, looting, and taxivation is sin, and to be rich by working hard, abiding by the law of the land, and helping the helpless is a blessing from the Almighty God. We know God loves the honest rich: Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon, and Job were super rich in their times, and all of them were but Solomon friends of God. In fact, God advises us how to use our money. He says: “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9).
In our generation the super honest rich like Bill Gates of America have no problem to get and to spend their money; they get their money through hard work and spend it by helping the unfortunate, so we in this generation have no problem with such honest super rich, because we know how they get their money and how they spend it even though it is not our business to know what they do with their own hard-earned money. But our problem is with some other people mostly from the developing countries such as Ethiopia where most of the people are poor, and still we find some people getting rich on the expense of the multitude of the poor.
For example, where do these three super rich Ethiopians – Samuel Tafesse, Al Amoudi, and Meles Seitanawi – get their massive wealth while millions of Ethiopians are languishing in poverty, and with the wealth of this kind, what have they done to help some of the poor Ethiopians? Yes, we have seen their spotless palatial houses with huge swimming pools, hanging chandeliers, soft-red carpeted floor, impressive decorated windows with blinds of different colors, high ceilings, and egg-shaped dome they have built for themselves, but we have never seen what they have done particularly for their country. The wealth the three individuals have amassed is questionable by the Ethiopian people, if not now, perhaps in the near future.
By their actions and corrupt businesses, we can say that these three people are excessive lovers of money and pleasure, not lovers of people. And it is for this type of people that St. Paul was worried about when he sent a message to one of his fellow workers, Timothy. In his message, Paul says: “But mark this: there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive…not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God….” (2Timothy 3:1-4)
Do these three rich Ethiopians really love the Ethiopian people? In the picture I see Al Amoudi visiting Samuel Tafesse’s house, but I don’t see Mr. Tafesse receiving the poor and feeding them. To tell the truth, I do not have enough information about Samuel Tafesse, and how he was able to build such an expensive house, but I do have adequate information about the other two looters – Meles Seitanawi and Al Amoudi – of Ethiopian money.
Whatever money they have amassed, whatever houses they have built, and whatever land they have appropriated for themselves now, in the future, their properties – the houses, the land, the money, the vehicles, and all the wealth they have been amassing for almost twenty years – will be the properties of the Ethiopian people. In the mean time, let them continue building expensive houses, taking land from the poor with little or no money at all for the owners of the land; let them loot the Ethiopian precious gold; let them collect unjustified taxes from the Ethiopian poor peasants and use it for their personal pleasures, and let them travel all over the world with the Ethiopian tax payers’ money; one day we will catch them and bring them to justice.
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March 8th, 2008 at 7:55 PM
How come all this bilionaires in ethiopia in less than 17 years? even al amoudi reach ~ 10 billion since he went back to ethiopia. ‘GOBEZ can any one can tel me how can i join the club.
Dont tel me it is hard work
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March 8th, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Have you done anything good for the poor people??????
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March 8th, 2008 at 10:02 PM
let us see things from different angles .please
Is it a crime to be rich? Who doesn’t want to be rich? I don’t think i can get one .so,this man work for it he starts from scratch ofcourse he get advantage on different government that is how you do business all over the world.Do you know how many people working for his company? do you know how many people can eat a bread directly or indirectly from this persons businees.Mind your business
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March 9th, 2008 at 3:00 AM
I am proud of you Sammy !!!!
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March 9th, 2008 at 3:25 AM
How it sad, is this a crime to to be devoted for a mother land? As me, if I get a chance to grade him I will give him A+.Realy i am proud of him.He is an example of such investers in our mother land.Look how he share the affliction of his citizns and how he fill sorry.realy he got A+.
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March 9th, 2008 at 6:41 AM
Ten years ago painter within five years Bilionairs!
where was the cloud? no rain But the flood
God always give Sunshine for less fortuned.!!!
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March 9th, 2008 at 10:45 AM
The prisons speaks (affan oromo).
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March 9th, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Hi guys,
I saw the pictures of Ato Samuel Tafesse’s house and the poor street children. The purpose of this article is to mislead him to the public. I know this person and whether you like it or not he has done alot of good things for the poor. This man has over 6,000 employees,he made alot of affordable housing for the poor, he has permanantly helped 400 orphans. Still we have to encourage him to help more instead of attacking his rich lifestyle. I believe instead of cutting each other short on the land of opportunity we have to focus on the countries interests (food and water for the poor, more healthcare, quality education, peace,etc)
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March 9th, 2008 at 5:24 PM
If one lifts his or her head up and gazes at the crime family and its associates,one can see all sorts of injustice.
If one works hard and attains knowledge and wealth, that is good and will even be nicer in the future. The problem is there is no a legetimate government in Ethiopia. The only rich individuals are those who are members of the notorious crimefamily of the woyanaetplf regime.
When there is no democracy and justice, individuals are above the law and do whatever they want to do as long as they guard the illegal regime against the citizens of Ethiopia.
Whoever accumelates wealth by robbing the resources of Ethiopia shall receive the maximum possible penality tantamount to his or her illegal activities.
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March 9th, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Well done Ato Samuell!! Keep it up
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March 9th, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Hello, in every country around the world you will find rich and poor people. Ethiopia is not the only country with rich and poor people living on its land. What the hell are you intending to achieve by presenting the two realities? What are you doing to help these poor children yourself? you sound like a malicious person. people like you do not help a country. It is these rich people who will defend the country at the end of the day.Do you have any idea how they have become rich? not everybody is corrupt? and not only rich people are corrupt?
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March 10th, 2008 at 1:50 AM
ሪፖርተር፡- እርስዎ በውጪ አገር የመኖሪያ ቤት የለዎትም
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- የልጆቼ አለ፡፡ they cannot afford it
yes he has ! he is not teling the truth
ሪፖርተር፡- በውጪ አገር ባንኮች ገንዘብ አለዎት?
አቶ ሳሙኤል፡- የለኝም፡፡
he is not teling the truth about all
this, i know that he has money in the bank and house and lots of things in USA
his family who are in USA, they are not beable to buy house or have all that with the kind work they do
he sould advise them to go to school instade of working thier ass in the buity salon.tel him to stop laying
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March 10th, 2008 at 2:19 AM
I suggest to weyanes,better they build modern prison with good facility than building a house,bcs their future is going to be in prison.
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March 10th, 2008 at 2:35 AM
More power to hard working Ethiopians like Samuel…
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March 10th, 2008 at 11:27 AM
when there is corruption and injustice there is social injustice, economic unfairness,neglecting social works, and many other important things the public should be served.
The crimefamily itself and as well as its associates have positioned themselves above everybody else and it is they who benifited from what is available above and beneath the land in Ethiopia.
Gaining knowledge and wealth through hard work and legal means is totally acceptable and it is ok; but, as it has been seen from the day the crimefamily came in Ethiopia, nearly everything owned and run by members of the crimefamily and their subordinates and as well as their associates.
Nearly all manufactring and sectors are owned and run by those members of the crimefamily and their associates; however, if there is little left, that goes to black rats who serve the crimefamily in their capacity. Then the question is, what is going to be going to public?
Ethiopians and the crimefamily don’t have anything in common; hence, the fight must against the illegal brutal regime must be continued until everybody gets the chance to build Ethiopia and share the fruit of their labor.
Today, the crimefamily is one of the richest and the most brutal mafiafamily in Africa as well as in the world. This crimefamily has its family rules and regulations. By the law of the family, any member of the crimefamily is above anything and everybody. The member can kill, improson, or harras, insult or even shoot the victim at any circumstance. No question will be asked. The principle is taht member or members protect the family.
Now, the question is, will members of the crimefamily be captured alive or deadk? As million know it, the answer is yes and yes. Again, then what? The answer is, every single members of the crimefamily shall definitely be received the absolute punishment equal to what he/she or they committed crime and injustice against the millions.
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March 10th, 2008 at 11:46 AM
I know there ara plenty of poor kids on the street of ethiopia who have never been remembered by the fealthy rich ethiopians who live in the united states or other parts of the western world before TPLF came to power. Do you know there are very rich ethiopians in America who live in a $10-12 million dollar houses? Did they ever think about those poor kids who krushed on the streets empty stomach? Please let’s be fair and stop pointing at eachother and start working together to make a difference. GOD BLESS.
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March 10th, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Why don’t you mind your own business and try to work hard to live better instead of accusing hard working people. That is why we ethiopians go behind because of jelousy and
“mekegnet”. Sammy deserves everything he has. He works day and night. Stop criticizing him and start how to work atleast to pay your bills.Good job Sammy I wish you all my best and more success in your life. Ignore lazy and lifeless people.
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March 10th, 2008 at 8:37 PM
First of all, let me introduce myself my name is SELAMAWIT SAMUEL TAFESE and yes I’m ato Samuel’s daughter my dad is a smart hardworking individual who helps people in need by building orphanages, schools, churches and so much more and who employees more than 6,000 people. My dad is not WAYANE he is a business man who is out to improve our country I have never meet anyone who is so passionate about doing good for his country and for his people so please stop judging someone without knowing what they do or who they are…just because he built a house for himself and his family that he can afford doesn’t make him selfish or related to the government…it’s very rood and arrogant to think that a person can’t succeed from scratch. Whoever you are Mr. Elias who is misleading people to think my dad is this selfish person who you put out to be I have nothing to say to you except get your facts right pleaseeee and for the record we are 100% GURAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLLA AT ME IF YOU NEED SOME MORE PICTURES OF THE HOUSE…
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March 10th, 2008 at 8:56 PM
I only like the pool.I don’t think the dude has any idia picking the right granite and marble LOL.Anyway it is all good.I also heared he wants to constract road Addis to be used only by foreigners. if this true the guy has problem.Actually from wht i heared he was also car wash boy around staduiom back in days.
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March 11th, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Get a life looser Elias every time you see someone far berrer than you and your friends your jalous brain swing back and forth, by the way your poor mom was clapping her hands with joy when she sow the fireworks for free. Happy now send her some money instead of blaming the richs to donate for your family.
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March 11th, 2008 at 1:16 AM
Arefe:
Get your facts wright.
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March 11th, 2008 at 2:05 AM
Anonymous:
You think you know everything. Did they ask you a place to live in the US or what?
By the way hair stylist they go to school to become one. It is all about people interest.
You complain about there father being wealthy which he work hard for it. What is wrong, if his kids work so hard there ass off to make it like him.
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March 11th, 2008 at 2:07 AM
Assta B gettu
You look like a person of God who knows the bible.
If so gossiping is sin.
You may be drinking coffee in the back of your mama kitchen listening she say he say.
Please do not gossip, that why our country is not growing. People like Mr. Al Moudi and Mr. Taffes are working so hard in there country helping the poor and also them self. You may be in the other hand living outside of the country, if so keep your mouse shut.
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March 11th, 2008 at 2:13 AM
Adera Wake up and smell the coffee. Let me ask you some questions. What have you done for the poor? How much money have you given to the poor?
Do you know how many poor in the world? Even the most power full country U.S. has so money poor. There are a lot of hard working people that they become wealthy. Why this bothering you much. May be you don’t have any more hop to become wealthy. Even here in the west some of our people make some investment during the house market in rising about three years ago. What about some of the wealthy example Bill Gate, Opera, Michael Jackson this just the three, there are more and more of them. One Ethiopian work so hard to get here, we should be very proud of him. He should be our mentor.
T:
FYI who is living the country?
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March 11th, 2008 at 2:19 AM
Hi Guys
In this world poor and rich living side by side infects for us Ethiopia is a new exercise. However binge poor or rich it is not a crime, rather using those poor street children for propaganda in my view series moral crime. We have to ask our self what we are doing to help these poor street children. That is my question to you? If you don’t?
We can work together to make a deference. I have a cherty called AN Humanitarian Organisation to help 25 disadvantage Street children in Addis Ababa .I seta up this charity when I see the bbc news (Blink and you will miss the underground children in Ethiopia’s capital city) with those kids picture.
Recently I approached Mr Samuel to support the charity. He was the person giving gunner sly for those kids with out hesitation. I thanked Mr Samuel for his contribution. I believe we have to help each other instead of focusing some one lifestyel.
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March 11th, 2008 at 9:14 AM
This is nothing less than a communist effort to generate hatred for the wealthy Ethiopians who believe in pure free market capitalist system.This post is full of the most blatant Communist propagandist nonsense.This actually shows that free market has actually benefited Ethiopia and … rest of the advanced world to generate jobs, income and business. I bet you, this realty man has created 100′s jobs for the country. Thus many families have benefited from him. Many people like you measure a nation’s value through the equal distribution of wealth,and hence choose to completely ignore the issue of creation of jobs, businesses,… the back e bone of western nation economic strength, self-reliance … My friend, pleas come-out-of communist ideology! get on the wagon! invest! create jobs! that way you help alleviate poverty! rather than waiting for a hand out!
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March 11th, 2008 at 10:52 AM
If one focuses on what he wants not on what he doesn’t want, he will get what he wants. Wealth accumulation is all about this. If indeed you are the daughter of Mr. Samel Tafesse and knowledgeable and skilled at making profit, and of course, if you are really caring about money, you should have advised your father, Mr. Samuel Tafesse on how to spend his money wisely. This is just an advice.
If one has ill feeling about others’ wealth and knowledge, it is not healthy and it would not make that bad-thinking person better. We don’t think and believe people are jealous of what you and your family acquired. Having said that, in the regime where corruption and injustice are widely practiced, it is only those who created the situation favorable for themselves are the only people who are benefiting
Madam Selamawit Samuel Tafesse, where were you in 2005 when the crimefamily murdered more than 200 innocent Ethiopians mainly because of losing the election to the majority of millions of poor Ethiopians?
Because your were overwhelmed by the extravaganza that Mr. Samuel Tafesse, your father presented to you as a result you were unable to see the big picture clearly. When there is no democracy there is no justice, when there is no justice, there is no equal opportunity to build Ethiopia and share the result of the fruit.
If one puts the interest of the crime family above everything and anything, well, one can accumulate enormous amount wealth at the cost of millions of lives and labor. This would definitely make the greatest majority of Ethiopians to intensify the battle and the struggle to attain democracy and justice for all.
When there is justice and democracy, every single Ethiopians will have unlimited opportunity to make Ethiopia a better country for all. If you don’t know this fact, it means, you don’t know how individual are playing a dirty game to accumulate dirty wealth. By the rule of the crime family, first-step to acquiring wealth is to be loyal to the crime family and abide by the rule and the regulation of the crime family. If you father had done things on his way by defying and rejecting the rule of the crime family, it would be a miracle and against the law of the universe.
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March 11th, 2008 at 12:33 PM
I wonder the nerve of some people, I am not trying to sound naïve however, how in the world can people compare a political disposition and a success of a hard working, God fearing, family oriented individual who has been blessed with the grace of God and in return did what most of us dream in regards to taking care of his family to the best of his ability. Yes, it is understood that there is so much to be done in regards to helping the nation however; we should not confuse the success of an individual and the role of the government. As a nation, we should actually thank Mr. Samuel for his amazing ability in conducting his field of work with such high standard of professionalism. Furthermore, by Mr. Samuel’s ability to complete projects by deadlines or even before the projected expected time, he has the ability to secure major construction projects around the capital and also around the nation. This in return makes sure the foreign currency coming through various projects to actually stay in the nation rather than be outsourced to a foreign company that will not only back fire in regards to a growing economy but also delay the long waited dignity our people deserve in accomplishing or should I say upgrading our old ways to the expectations of the modern world. I am sure the writer of his article has failed to consider the major points of Mr. Samuel’s success and only decided to highlight the bearing of his fruits. Failure to examine the reality of situations that have not been well thought out only open doors for confusion and unintended consequence, more or less a chain effect that only does not do any good. With that said, never judge a book by its cover, look into the details and unfold the truth. It is wise to shy away from some things that are not fit for our understanding so let’s not be quick to point out fingers at others and their success. Moreover, we should actually idolize major figures of such and work harder and smarter so we can also do our part rather than settle for the sorrows of envy.
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March 11th, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Let a thousand billionares flourish!
If the intial capital of Ato Tafsse is B10,000, and he was able to compound it at the rate of 60%, three times higher than the rate of Warren Buffet (22%), his capital would be now after 20 years B1,000,000,000. That is the power of compunding. Enstien called the power of compunding one of the wonders of the world. If those of us in the diaspora can save and invest (buying Buffet stocks)at a company where the rate of profit was 22% we could have been millionares instead of consuming or putting our money in saving deposit or current account, it is possible to be bellionaire starting with US$10,000. Construction has about 30% profit. With the demand from the diaspora and the advatage o exchange rate, it is possible to double the rate of return, assuming you know what you are doing! Ato Tafesse, as real estate develpoer has apparently made his money from the dispora who created the demand for his firm in real estate and construction. You needed him. He delivered on contract, unless you are complaining he cheated you. Do you have complaints with his delivery? You agree to pay very high price which provided him apprently the high profit!
He has demonstrated how by focussing on wealth, to raise his conscousness instead of political conciousness that wealth can be created in Ethiopia at a much faster rate than elsewhere.
This reminded me of a Colardo man (USA) who left his house and property to mine gold to Africa in the 1800s to get rich. He failed to achieve his dream. When he returned back, he had lost his land for not paying tax on his property. However, gold was found on his land and the people who possess the land were very rich! Do not be envious, lest you get poorer.
Read “Think and grow rich”. Wealth come from our mind. create wealth consciousness, look for opprtunities to make money, Save and invest!
Politics does not create wealth, it makes wealth creation possible. If you want even to be politician in a democratic society you will either have money or knowledge. The days where “fanos” can come to power through the power of the gun is gone! Ethiopia has joined the path of capitalism and not socialism. Think it through! it is psycholigically impossible to envy and become rich!
When evryone aspires to gain riches and knowlege and does some thing every day to achieve both, there will be enough wealth to solve all distribution problems. For now focus on wealth conciousnes and actions!
Ato Tafesse has shown how to get rich. Learn from him and model him in a creative way! The inequality can be only overcome by each of us producing more than we can! Let millions of ethiopian at home and in diaspora aspire to be billionaires! Let the context start! We hope this will be the era of creating billionaires!
The billionaires will create jobs who are not endowed with the attitude and knowledge to create wealth!
There are many among those who made comment with talent. Like the three people in the bible that were given defferent amount of money, there are those who use it and those without imagination who put it in the mattress. So use your talent or money to create wealth, it do not help it blaming the system for all our inadequacy. Let his compitors complain if his is ilgotten!
For more than 40 years, the EPRP has been a political party! it stills asks for contribution! why did they not created wealth to finance their cause! They are still beggars, only they speak political terms.
The era of socialism has gone! capitalism has become a social order! those who want to contribute in one field or other create some wealth that can sustain the program. For heaven sake do not ask operating expenses! It is only acceptable if you ask for investment so that it is self sustainable. In the process you will learn how to run a business. Those who have practical know how and vision what the country needs!
It was a wakeup call! The lesson to all who have talent is do not envy, but try to learn from the secretand dublicate and learn to be billinaires! The era of “Araya” is passed, the Era “Ala Moudi” is in…An imegrant who left home and come back with a billion dollar”
So, dispora, his was in part a result of business consciousness.His creativity also has played a part. Sure he has also milked his connections with the ruling party. The critical factor is his hard work and money conciousness. Of the many ambious woyanes supporters, he was able to benefit because, he had developed wealth conciousness! Without such conciousness, it is difficult to gain wealth, just as without foucssing.
Having said that, however, the wealth even owned by Ato Tafesse, he has a sacred duty to use it appropriately, as the vatican has pointed out recently.
Bill Cosby will like him if he had made his million here!
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March 11th, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Dear Sasa,
When you order me to shut up my mouth, I sense you are living under the regime of Meles Seitanawi; it seems you are abhorred to the freedom of thought and freedom of expression. I never claim I’m a man of God, and I never say I know the Holy Scripture; I wish I were a man of God, and I wish I knew the Holy Bible.
It is true gossiping is sin as you indicated. The wise man, Solomon, says: “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret” (Proverbs 11:13). Also, the Apostle Paul writes to the Romans: “….They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful….” (1:20-30) Indeed very concerned about the young widows, St. Paul admonishes us: “And not only they become idles, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to” (1Timothy 5:13).
One thing I know though that any person who talks, writes, and teaches about the injustices that have been taking place in Ethiopia for almost 20 years will never become a milliner and never build a luxurious house like the one Mr. Taffese owns in Ethiopia. These two super rich persons never said a single word opposing the unjustified killings of many Ethiopians in Oromo, Gondar, Ogaden, and especially in the Tegadie and Walkait areas. They never said a single word when Meles Seitanawi sold a piece of land from Gondar to Sudan. With their money, they never tried to higher an attorney to defend the defenseless Ethiopians who are still incarcerated at quality and at many other places. With their money they could have helped the political organizations that oppose the undemocratic regime of Meles Seitanawi; when all these crimes against the innocent Ethiopian people have been committed, they are quiet, knowing they do not want to antagonize the Meles’ political gangs; if they do, they know they would be un able to build such an expensive house, and they never buy a private jet. The money they have amassed so far is a kind of money obtained through their strong ties with the corrupt regime of Meles Seitanawi with the blessing of Abune Paulos – another corrupt Patriarch who ignores what is going on in Ethiopia. As a Christian and a leader of millions of Ethiopian Christians, he was supposed to denounce the massacre of those innocent Ethiopians in 2005 and the unjustified killings of the Anuak people in Gambella. But he was quiet and is.
I am not against the honest rich, the hard working people – people who stand up for justice and denounce the injustices committed by their government – who use their worldly wealth for the cause of the freedom of their fellow men and women. People of this kind I call not only super rich but super heroes, friends of the poor, defenders of democracy, enemies of corrupt regime, servants of God , and lovers of his people. Therefore, these two super rich Ethiopians must choose between serving the corrupt regime of Dictator Meles Seitanawi or opposing and denouncing it before it becomes too late for them. These two supper rich Ethiopians have the power to help the 80 million Ethiopians by freeing them from the bondage of the tyrannical rule of Meles Seitanawi through their support to the freedom fighters, the hopes and futures of the Ethiopian people.
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March 11th, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Dear Assta B Gettu
For your information I am not living under meles regime. You on the other hand might be the one prayed for Mengistu regime to be changed. Well God listen and gave you Meles. After the fact that you find out you don’t like how meles is running the country. Let me ask you a question, what have you done opposing the unjustified killing of many Ethiopians? What makes you think that rich people are responsible to say any thing about it? You might be living safe life here in the west, saying things here but, our Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, Sisters and children’s are gating killed. You and Your fellow brothers live the safe and comfortable life here, knowing that nothing will happen to you. This is what I call unjustified Ok. Why are you expecting the rich to help in the politics? Most of this wealth rich people are business person not politician. You know what our problem is, we have about 70 million population and about 50 millions are politician. That is big problem.
In the conclusion, I do believe that you are against all rich people. Also you all ways expect the rich to hand you bread every day. My friend you got it all wrong. You have to work so hard to get your share of your bread. There is no free hand out. Before I go, one more question if meles regime go down tomorrow who will be the next political party. Is any body ready to take over with out suffering the people
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March 13th, 2008 at 2:27 AM
I think it’s not for hard working folks who earned the money through sweat and blood. I think this article is one sided,any element of objectivity is lost in this article. This is not to deny the harsh division of class between the few rich, the non-existing middle class, and the majority of working class and poor.
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March 13th, 2008 at 11:02 AM
If Ababa didn’t win the Marthon in 1964 would you think Ethiopians would have started the run and WIN big?
The point is this man show US we can be rich even in ETHIOPIA without going to AMERICA.
His MONEY might be ill gotten BUT THE point is other good people from America will go and invest after they see him therefor it would be Ethiopian interest to thanks this GUY.
Even in Ameirca you need conncation without conncation you can’t get your business… if conncation doesn’t work they why did we hire Ameican to push our BILL? WE COULD HAVE DONE IT OURSELF IF conncation doesn’t matter?
All THE Big BUSINESS in America lobying and paying billion of dollars to get them a favor to their company… therefor asking the poor Ethiopian not to have any conncation with the gov. that run the place is like saying Haile not to talk to OLOMPIC commitee and still run and win the long distance Haile must have good realtionship with the olopmic and must follow all the rule he like it or not otherwise their is no game.
for the poor super rich guy you can go to war with Meles by himself… as you know you need an army to fight a war… this guy is by himslef then whay are you asking him to fight the war with Meles to me it doesn’t make sense…
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March 13th, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Long Live to Owner of Sunshine…. Down with bashers of Responsible Capitalism….People stop hating and Start duplicating…. Look at INDIA, CHINA…..they work more and they talk less….
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March 13th, 2008 at 2:28 PM
My dear SaSa,
I’m very glad you are safe and well somewhere and are not living under Meles Seitanawi’s regime. I always pray dictators such as Mengistu Haile Mariam and Meles Seitanawi to be overthrown because of their tyrannical rules. I have never lived either under Mengistu’s or under Meles’ rule; I left my country when Thehaiu Nigus was in power; after Emperor Haile Selassie passed away, everything in Ethiopia changed for the worst. When I heard the massacre of many innocent Ethiopians on the streets of Addis Ababa in 2005, I wept and wrote several letters and comments against the killings by Meles’ brutal police force and joined a political party that opposes such bloody killings.
When such unjustified killings take place, ordinary people, rich people, politicians, merchants, custodians, taxi drivers, students, teachers, priests, and even prostitutes can raise their voices against such merciless killers.
You are right that our fathers, mothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, and friends are being persecuted, jailed, and killed right now in our country, so that what can we do? Yes, there are many things we can do: contribute money if we can; write articles, letters, and comments against the regime and join a political party that opposes Meles’ political gangs. Therefore, I’m not expecting only the rich people to be involved in politics; when something goes wrong in our country, all of us, rich and poor, are responsible to correct the wrongs peacefully if it is possible.
My dear SaSa, your conclusion, may I say, is wrong; I am not against honest rich people, but it is true I am against greedy, dishonest, and abusive rich people who say nothing when they see murder has been committed next to their doors.
It seems though you are the one who got it wrong because no one expects to be clothed, fed, and protected by the rich; however, what one expects from the rich is not their money but their supports against an oppressive government.
Your last two sentences are very important that all of us who are involved in politics must think very carefully when we elect our political leaders. The people must have to choose which person is fit to govern them. As you know, Meles Seitanawi has divided the country into several ethnic groups for his political reasons, but we will overcome, and by the will of God, one day, Ethiopia and Eritrea will be one nation again, and all Ethiopians – Amhara, Tigray, Oromo, and the rest will live together in harmony as they had done for hundreds of years.
May God bless the honest rich and lift up the spirits of the poor, and may God bless you too, SaSa!
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March 13th, 2008 at 4:04 PM
more power to him.
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March 16th, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Liberty:
My friend you said “am not stupid to convince my self this wealth was created through hard work and honesty.” Do you know how much money the actors and the models make making movie, what about the musicians, what about the athletes; they don’t even work all year around. This might be a good example of how to make money.
You might be living here in the west. If you are, you might choose and pick what kind of house, furniture, car, clothes you want to use with the money you can afford. So, if some one choose and pick what he or she want do get surprise. My friend there is no fair chance in the world; if there was one, the world have been the same which ever country you go.
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March 17th, 2008 at 6:37 PM
Dear Assta B. Gettu
You said that you have not been in Ethiopia under Mengiest or meles regime. I suggested that you should go back home and visited and see it for your self. Then make a decision about every thing. See what this wealthy people do for there country. When they build this large building it might be for profit but this large building can’t go anywhere, means that belong to Ethiopia. What about all the employees that work for them, don’t you think they are Ethiopians? I do believe that you should go home see it for your self.
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March 17th, 2008 at 6:46 PM
There are two ways to be rich or super rich in Ethiopia: 1) Be a member of the Tigrean People Liberation Front (Woyanne); or 2) Be a Woyanne butt-kisser. There is no other way. The photos below show how one of these super rich individuals, the owner of Sunshine Construction, lives in Addis Ababa..
I AGREE WITH YOU AND IT IS EVEN MORE COMPLICATED THAN YOU EXPLAIN IT BECAUSE I KNOW THIS PEOPLE ARE HELPING EACH OTHER AND USING ETHIOPIAN PEOPLE BLOOD AND HARD WORK TO HELP EACH OTHER AND WORK USING MUSENA AND FRAUD.
HARD WORK? PEOPLE SAY ITS WITH HARD WORK? HOW MANY PEOPLE IN ETHIOPIA WHO ARE NOT BUTT KISSING AND DRINKING THE BLOOD OF THE POOR PEOPLE GET THIS? IT IS WONDERFUL WORK HE DID, BUT NO UNLESS YOU ARE BLOOD SUCKERS, YOU WILL NOT GET THIS MONEY IN ETHIOPIA.
UNLESS YOU ARE A VAMPIRE AND DRINK THE BLOOD OF THE POOR PEOPLE OF ETHIOPIA, YOU WILL NOT GET THIS RICH. I WONDER IF HE SLEEPS AT NIGHT, HOLDING THIS GUILT IN THIS BODY.
THEY ARE CORRUPTED PEOPLE . THIS PEOPLE ARE DRINKING THE BLOOD OF THE POOR ETHIOPIAN PEOPLE, THE POOR, THE LABOR OF THE GOVERNMENT WORKERS IN ETHIOPIA, THE BUSINESS,….
I KNOW ABOUT THIS IS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN WORKING IN THEIR GOVERNMENT FOR MANY YEARS BEFORE I MOVED TO USA, LEAVING ALL BEHIND.
ETHIOPIA WAKE UP!!!
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March 18th, 2008 at 8:53 AM
I would like to congratulate Samuel Taffese on accomplishing so much in about 20 years.
For all the green eyes, please mind your own business!! It is Samuel’s provocative to do whatever he wants with his money. Construction business combined with an effective management and hard work is a very profitable like no other too many businesses.
So, my poor fellow guys with green eyes, stop envying, unfounded gossiping, and wishing bad for the rich and famous.
If at all Samuel did amass his wealth the ‘unjust’ way as some of you claim, he is at least redeeming himself in many charitable activities. But, you the big-mouths what are you doing instead other than envying and gossiping?
Samuel is, I think the first construction businessman who is investing a lot in his country. Again, if he bought houses for his children in the US, it is none of anybody’s business. DEG ARGUAL NEW YEMILEW.
Building such a beautiful superb mansion has many advantages in various ways. One worth mentioning is that, it is said, I am not sure if it is true but, the President of Djibouti has liked it so much that he asked Ato Samuel to build the same kind in his country. See guys? And then some other country and goes on like that. This in turn brings the much needed foreign currency and job opportunity for our people.
Fellas, Plz let’s mind our own business and stop poking our noses into anybody’s business.
Peace!!!
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March 21st, 2008 at 10:48 AM
lets work for our blessed country ….. appreciate people whos trying to make a change, they are ethiopian too, they are tryinng to help thier country, they are working for their country they didnt build their house somewhere else they are living and breathing in their country, lets give them respect and love instead of talking shit about them. pls lets make a change and appreciate the good workin of others
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March 21st, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Be realstic He has been doing good Jop let us incourege him.If you wont see things changed Be the change. do somthing to chage the lif of ur familly in stade of spent ur money in western bar.Think good for our mother land wherever we are Ehtiopia is our home,ther is option if you wont help these cheldren send your money through one of local or international NGO, think about love and unity…God bless ethiopia and ppl of ehiopia
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March 24th, 2008 at 9:44 AM
ይህን አይነት ቢት ኢትዮፕያ ውስት
አስፍላጊ ነውን ስት ማድረግ ሲቻል
ምንም ለሊለው
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March 25th, 2008 at 12:14 AM
hell on woyaneee..but unless you have evidence that Samuel is linked to woyanee, you can’t make such accusations and assumtions….if you do you are as bad as the worst.
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March 25th, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Do we really think every Ethiopian who live in the country is corrupted, took money from poor children, manipulated the system…. just because they are rich? I think this notion is one indication why we are behind as a nation. We don’t believe there are people who are capable of working hard and spending their hard earned money as they wish. I guess my fundamental question goes back to, what claim does any one has, if any, the owner of this beautiful house is corrupted or even a Woyane associate. Why am I defending this person you might ask? Well my simple explanation is that this person could have lived some where else; entirely with no tie of the current government and repatriate with the wealth he accumulated. My point is, let us not be quick to judge. Let’s evaluate our facts before pointing figures. The only thing this man could be guilty of is not helping his fellow county man while he has the money. (And I don’t know if he help or not for fact).
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March 26th, 2008 at 1:02 PM
We should be grateful what Al Amoudi has done in Ethiopia. The Woyane goverment was established based on corruption from the begining. The state assets were undervalued and were made unproductive delibrately before it was sold. No question, most contracts are awarded illegally in public sector. I am sure Ato Tefesse won some contracts illegally. prove it f…off. One day an equiry into some of these deals will be made public when we have the right man. Don’t be fullish the nation do not benefit from this corruption. Corruption do not help the coutry to grow and these people are shifting the nation money to Europe and America. some of us know it how they do it. Wake Up!!!!!
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March 29th, 2008 at 6:29 PM
This is everyones dream house good for him. But I hope he helps the poor pips too, somehow.
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March 31st, 2008 at 9:57 PM
I’m proud of Ato Samuel. Why do we get upset when someone is rich. He earned and worked hard for it. I’m happy for him to live the dream. Ja (comment #23 who attched the Report’s interview with Ato Samuel is very interesting.) Ethiopia is a poor country and if someone gets rich and has billions we all should applaud him. I do.
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April 3rd, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Hey, PPL calm down… know the guy first before you judge him. I know that this dude worked very hard with his family to reach where he is at now. Why don’t we always have positive attitude? Or you prefer the image of Ethiopia always as seen in the western and European television? I just don’t understand. Anyway Go Samy … I really admire you … I know how you treated your construction workers … this dude even don’t work ye gabriel ken … he slaughter many cows for his workers every month for st. gabriel …. many of his construction workers now are in the US.. where are you guys…. anyway … he is the only person I saw in Ethiopia started up and hit his goal. For more information about him try to ask, his in-laws used to own finfine something restaurant at 6 kilo … they started working from sunshine chicken house and hair saloon through his wife and his hard work in construction … God Bless Ethiopia and I am aiming to do something like that one day .. and you better not connect my money with woyane .. you fu**ing judgmental people.
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April 5th, 2008 at 3:18 PM
It is now obvious why we are the poorest country in the world and continue to stay that way unless we change our attitude. There is nothing wrong to be rich. It is obvious that many carry a pain body that thrives on seeing pain on other people. I see people sending emails and write comments when they see something horrible happening in Ethiopia or Ethiopian people in general. If that is all you are looking for that is what you will find. What you think in your mind is what you will attract. No one is happy to see those kids living on the street. What we should be focusing is on the solution not point on someone who is rich to blame. These rich people are the ones who create jobs for the rest of the people in Ethiopia. We should seek a way to help in resolving the issue of poverty by creating jobs for the poor. We need to stop this non-sense.
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April 9th, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Dear Selamawit Samuel Tafesse,
I read your comment on Mr. Ellias’s deed. I like it baby. It showed me your positive attitue towards people of any nature.
Look, it is always good to use opportunities like this for knowing each other.I liked your approch. Would you please e-mail me.
Here is My adress thanks,
nigus2005@yahoo.com
God Bless you and the family.
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April 10th, 2008 at 12:37 AM
Let make fun guys,
This is an apportunity for all us who have this acess to forward our oppinion on issues mentioned above.
Now that we looked things in different ways.
Shall we change the focus of discussion as I did it on Aklilegiorgis comment. Let us work hard for this country.
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April 10th, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Only the ONE gives and only HE takes .So instead of wasting time worrying about how other people are living why dont we all try to work hard and get a piece of the pie. Really it looks like you are all jealous of other peoples success.I am sure HE saw fit to give it to them and i am really sure that He knows what he is doing.
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April 10th, 2008 at 3:08 AM
What does this have to do with politics? Haven’t you heard of the word capitalism? You should try to flip and read the dictionary sometimes. Seems like everyone who responded to your post thinks it’s ridiculously and irrelevant to compare the riches life style with the poor. You should worry on how you will live in a house like this someday rather than push your own political agenda.
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April 14th, 2008 at 7:21 PM
It is part of our culture that any body that is going to become a pioneer or successful in every sector would have never beeen welcomed by the sociity.I am part of the comunity in the construction industry. My deep feer is not the rising of ethiopian millioner like Ato Samuel (an ethiopian) his ultimate shre for a lexureous living is very minute as compared with the share snashed by our newo so called comunist friends “Asian Friends” who are in full control of the rising Ethiopian construction industry, who are telling day and night to our government officialls that as if no working cultur in Ethiopians for an excuse of their deployment of man power starting from the daily labourer to The Higer Engineer. Despite High rate of an Employment in Ethiopia our Asian friends are very much encouraged to bring the daily labourer whose capacity is to use to use pic and axe that ironically the Ethiopian un emplooyeed poor can not perform. Please do understand that Whatso ever the case may be the reason for Ato Samuels being a millioner, for me the Ethiopian ATO SAMUEL should be a good nwees for those being Exploited by our Asian Friends.
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April 16th, 2008 at 4:51 PM
I appreciate hardworking investors who are working hard to creat jobs. Ethiopia needs domestic and foreign investors to develop. Insulting the rich is not the wayforward. We have seen what happened to Ethiopia after mengistus began targeting the rich, he followe ill guided communist style adminstration that ended up destroying everyone. Please folks work hard and enjoy the live style of the rich and superrich. talking nonsense and defaming hardworking individuals wont help you.
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April 17th, 2008 at 2:09 PM
hey guys the bible says in the book mathew 16 :-26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Ecclesiastes 2:-21 For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
2 Corinthians:-1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
so lets think about eternal life what u see from that pic is its just good to live in this earth but there is eternal life in heaven so lets work for that . jesus loves u all
may GOD BLESS U ALL & THE OWENER OF THAT HOUSE
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May 4th, 2008 at 2:25 AM
common on, give the man a chance. Now, if you got any evidence to show this man is corrupt then post them here. As for favours, my friend, thats just the way it is from washington to london to paris to milan to Addis, politicians are usually financed by rich business donors, and usually return the favour by offering the biggest contracts to these donors. Now as long as the job is done, and we work to make politics not just in ethiopia, but all over the world a much more fairer process, by exposing publicly politicians and business that waste public money when given contracts that are not done properly or not done on time. Remember, we are a country lacking in economists and information isn’t availaible as freely as it is in western countries, but this isn’t samuels or sunshine con fault. we should afterall be proud of being ethiopians, and not hate when people get rich and prosper. go to http://www.sunshinecon.com/, and check it out for yourself.
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May 16th, 2008 at 9:53 AM
you know what the problem is the government !!!!! it is a shame! i was in a Addis a few month ago from Los Angeles and i was sad to see how the poor people are struggling to survive but we can’t just sit and blame the rich , what we should do is get organized and find out a way to help the poor and also to get rid of this government if they are not helping the poor to get out of poverty . so far they are focused on helping the rich and exporting all our goods including our precious gold which we don’t see what they are doing with money and let’s watch out for those chines people that are building our roads they gonna be doing more business with our government just like they are doing in other African countries they are making so much money , America is borrowing money from them !!! so let’s watch out for them cause they are not leaving once they are done with the road . but for those of you who cares about our country lets do some thing about it i am currently working on a new website that is gonna be mainly focused on that so if any body reads this please email me at bfissehaye@yahoo.com and i will add you on email list , so we can talk about the things we care about and about our country that we all love . any body can join please email me and lets all work for what god wants to do through us . and help our people . god bless all of us , and our ETHIOPIA one love .from Los angels
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June 6th, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Why you bother about this guy? If you work hard you will be like him. But the problem of people who said ” we love Ethiopia” verbally but in reality not, is not working but blaming and hating the development of others. This person is one who change our country.He did not take the money out of Ethiopia. But you are wishing and planning to destroy and take its property out of him. You will never get it. Work hard ,God help you. But do not expect the fall of your friends. Clear your bad mind.I understand there may be some favor from the government. Let it be.It he got this money on the expense of other,he will be loser. Otherwise I have no problem personally for people who work hard and rich. This is not a time of blame. Lets get start and change our country.
Please, our country need change. Real change from poverty to prosperity, from drought to good life. from war to peace, from cheating and stealing to hard work,from agul gura to real life.If you love your country try to do your contribution with out hesitation and waiting for reward or favor.Do not look to others and wait for others.Do what you can honestly. You will be blessed and mentally happy. Love your people despite his religion,ethnicity. Love your country honestly not for power.We have a power to change our country.We have the resource. But we need willingness and commitment.
Do what you can
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July 20th, 2008 at 2:22 PM
አቶ ሳሙአል እግዚአብሐር ይባርክው:: እንደዚህ እራሱን ችሎ ወገንን ለመርዳት አበቃው:: ጐጐል አድርጌ ታሪኩን አንብቤ, ከሰባት ሺህ በላይ ወገኖችን ቀጥሮ የሚያሰራ ሰው ነው:: እንግድይ ይታያችሁ ይህ ሁሉ ሰው ስንት ቤተሰብ እንደሚያስተዳድር:: አምላክ ባለው ላይ ይጨምርለት, ከፍ ከፍ ያድርገው::
አክባሪያችሁ
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July 25th, 2008 at 6:22 PM
hey am glad to see that kind of house in Ethiopia even though y’all thought it ain’t fair. Am young and y’all might think thats why i said it’s good to have this kind of house. I was born and raised in the USA and i wanted to invest some of my money in Ethiopian but now am scared because y’all saying every rich people woyanne i have no idea what woyanne is but i know y’all going to call me woyanne so pleas i want y’all to change ya mind it ain’t me nothing and doesn’t make sense calling rich people woyane
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August 4th, 2008 at 1:49 PM
What matter is not to be rich. In Ethiopian context,what ever genuinly u work hard, u can not attain the scale of wealth that Mr. Samuel attained un less u would be loyal to the DAMN Woyane.
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August 5th, 2008 at 9:44 AM
IF YOU ARE BORN POOR IT IS NOT YOUR MISTAKE, BUT IF YOU DIE POOR IT IS YOUR MISTAKE.
Bill Gates
I believe you have to work hard to succeed, there is nothing for free in this world. The only problem is some are fortunate while others are not.
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August 18th, 2008 at 6:01 AM
i wish i could help those poor kids. I’m lucky I’m not one of them. I would every thing in my to give those food,shelter, and clothing. I hope they can survive threw the harsh and
diffucult days.
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December 29th, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Please do not rush to judgment before you know the person,in this case i happen to know that, this guy is very very hard working guy and very smart person i ever knew in my life.He started from scratch nothing at all worked day and night with only few hours sleep,fixing a roof leak,took all the risks ups and downs and gradually becomes a succesful business person.Hard work always pays off. is it not what we expected any one of our ethiopian business men to do ? this guy needs to be complimented for his hard work and success because he is a role model for any of us so please stop wealth envying and most of all, the unfortunate poverty we see has nothing to do with some body hard work and sucess,as the mater of fact this guy employees thousands of workers . I wish him all the best.
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January 5th, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Don’t hate. The guys used to be very poor so let him have his cake.
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July 29th, 2009 at 2:24 PM
This is why ethiopia will never prosper because we hate on eachother so damn much!. Why is it that we have to gossip and hate on our own people but seem to “understand” why Bill Gates is so rich and Donal Trump is so rich.
Being a fantastic business man,working hard and investing in something at a right time and right place will allow EVERY person to achieve what Samuel has achieved!.
Stop wasting your time on segregation within Ethiopia. Stop the hate and enjoy the fact when one of our people is prospering. It should only make us proud.
I love my country, i think of us as one and i love to see us do better and achieve greatness!
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March 29th, 2010 at 9:37 AM
It is a common knowledge that disparity exists, be it in democratic rich society or just down-trodden nation. The fact is, their always has been duality in the theme of creation as well as in human existence exclusively for contrast purposes. One cannot appreciate light if there is no darkness. So, until we know the truth, I beseech you let as refrain from attacking those who are lucky enough to make it into the rack of opulence life. In fact, we can be inspired and dream bigger looking at whose above us verses looking down below us and be discouraged. If we work hard we also can enjoy this life style. But, I pray we will have a motherland and rule of law that does not favor the privileged and deprived the miss-fortunate.
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April 23rd, 2010 at 2:59 PM
Is it me or the house look outragously superstitous. I cannot imagin a human being living here. It has no grace at all– just show, color, and excess. It is tastless. I love my home sweet home made from mud and wood.
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August 3rd, 2010 at 3:15 AM
wow …those who are lazy and jelous always have something negetiv to say .They dont even first appreciate hard working and efforts made by those who are rich.And i think the writer of this column is one of them.The owner of sunshine construction start from scratch ,to be specific he was a painter and he fought and work hard on his way up and i belive he deserve every peny he has been making and above all when i see how he is living his life i am very happy for him that is how we all should live and that is a motivation for those who have a good heart ….those haters though write crap columns and to bad we dont like them ………appreciate people who work hard and get rich ….
love an peace
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August 28th, 2010 at 5:44 AM
i know one truth in my life that is if u work hard u can get what ever u like but realy this wealth is come from only from ur hard working if yes that is absolutely a great and we can try to work hard like u but i realise that this is not one person effort there should corruption!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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September 2nd, 2010 at 11:55 PM
It looks I am the only one to log this comment on here after 08/02/2010. I had the opportunity to visit some of the sites of Sunshine Real Estate some time in the early 2011. I was amzaed by what I had seen both at the head office and the different construction sites that belonged to Estate. For that matter all the Real Estates operationg in the country deserve due appreciation for the contribution they have been making to the growth of thelong forgotten Addis.
I was in Ethiopia when the owner of the Real Estate, Ato Samuel Tafesse when he built his first building that is located across Flamingo Caffee House during the time of defunct derg regime. I would say he was the first to be moving in the direction of Real Estate and don’t understand why people are surprised to see him as woner of a Real Estate. The real problem with us Ethiopians is to brand people like Samuel with different bad adjectives. That is not the way to encouarge people to contribute to the development of their country.
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February 6th, 2012 at 10:32 AM