TakingITGlobal - Panorama - Hope: an African...

Published on: May 18, 2008

Topic:

Type: Opinions

https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=20387

The music, the people, the culture (among others) of Africa are not only diverse, but intriguing. Also, in my opinion, ‘most’ Africans do love this continent- whatever echelon of society they originate from. But it should not be assumed that society is classless or seamless; some bear the brunt of the burden of Africa – mostly the poor. Inasmuch as we share this identity, there are some whose existence is beset with problems we see (and hear) everyday: HIV and AIDS, poverty and unemployment, lack of clean water, crime, illiteracy, no money for education or food, famine, civil war; patriarchy, where at times women do not get a chance to realize their dreams and carve out their own lives- negotiating contraception, lack of inheritance by women.

In a critical time such as this (Africa is assessing and re-negotiating burdens inflicted by neo-colonialism), it bothers me that, at a glance, there are still ‘new’ corruption, poor governance, child soldiers… The setting depicts grim suffering. It is not a narrative. And the irony, as Pastor Abraham-Sam Aiyedogbon says, is that Africa presents a complex set of contradictions. This might as well be the wealthiest continent on the globe; no extremes of summer and winter, the abundance of arable land, a rich natural heritage of flora and fauna, among others.

Personally, I continue to feel that I cannot continue to be ignorant; that social and economic problems are out there. I feel I should not be ignorant, for a start, about what is happening, especially within the continent. Today’s headline is yesterday’s Rwanda, Ivory Coast, DRC, Dafur, Kenya... History repeats itself. Furthermore, the dark legacy of modernity; colonialism, capitalism, risk, among others also come into play. But I don’t say this to excuse our misdemeanors. We cannot excuse corruption and poor governance, neither can we excuse the negative (but popular) social discourse that puts down and scapegoats women, children and the poor.

It would be more useful to be practically more humane: to have less stigma for people with HIV/AIDS, for example, and to empower those less privileged people I encounter through my time or efforts. Working an 8.00 am- 5.00 pm job may not quite be enough. After all, our children and their children, and their children’s children will be African. For the future at least, there should be something better, be they ideals, activities, practices or things, that they will be proud of. An article that appeared in This Day, a daily, summarizes all of this, “Today’s Africans shall be accountable for what happens to our continent and people as we are presented with opportunities to correct wrongs of the past”.

We are afflicted at multiple levels, hence our solutions must be multiply-faceted; all this should involve praxis – both a raising of consciousness and visible actions. Remember that millions are not even literate. Consider that you are literate, and that you are reading this now. For these reasons, you can find your own way to a solution; ideas are powerful.

Some social constructions have to be changed by our sitting and talking. Seek groups and affiliate yourself to those with positive agendas. Ultimately, even with help from the rest of the world, it will take Africans (individually and collectively) to change Africa- more so, those who have been afforded the opportunity and the chance to do so. Such change should not merely be rhetoric. At some point it has to change and touch people’s lives, even if it is inconvenient- for example, not giving bribes to obtain some official document such as a national identification card or a passport. This is an attempt to be the hope of the continent.

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by Gachara Irura
Published on: May 18, 2008
Topic:
Type: Opinions
https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=20387


The music, the people, the culture (among others) of Africa are not only diverse, but intriguing. Also, in my opinion, ‘most’ Africans do love this continent- whatever echelon of society they originate from. But it should not be assumed that society is classless or seamless; some bear the brunt of the burden of Africa – mostly the poor. Inasmuch as we share this identity, there are some whose existence is beset with problems we see (and hear) everyday: HIV and AIDS, poverty and unemployment, lack of clean water, crime, illiteracy, no money for education or food, famine, civil war; patriarchy, where at times women do not get a chance to realize their dreams and carve out their own lives- negotiating contraception, lack of inheritance by women. In a critical time such as this (Africa is assessing and re-negotiating burdens inflicted by neo-colonialism), it bothers me that, at a glance, there are still ‘new’ corruption, poor governance, child soldiers… The setting depicts grim suffering. It is not a narrative. And the irony, as Pastor Abraham-Sam Aiyedogbon says, is that Africa presents a complex set of contradictions. This might as well be the wealthiest continent on the globe; no extremes of summer and winter, the abundance of arable land, a rich natural heritage of flora and fauna, among others. Personally, I continue to feel that I cannot continue to be ignorant; that social and economic problems are out there. I feel I should not be ignorant, for a start, about what is happening, especially within the continent. Today’s headline is yesterday’s Rwanda, Ivory Coast, DRC, Dafur, Kenya... History repeats itself. Furthermore, the dark legacy of modernity; colonialism, capitalism, risk, among others also come into play. But I don’t say this to excuse our misdemeanors. We cannot excuse corruption and poor governance, neither can we excuse the negative (but popular) social discourse that puts down and scapegoats women, children and the poor. It would be more useful to be practically more humane: to have less stigma for people with HIV/AIDS, for example, and to empower those less privileged people I encounter through my time or efforts. Working an 8.00 am- 5.00 pm job may not quite be enough. After all, our children and their children, and their children’s children will be African. For the future at least, there should be something better, be they ideals, activities, practices or things, that they will be proud of. An article that appeared in This Day, a daily, summarizes all of this, “Today’s Africans shall be accountable for what happens to our continent and people as we are presented with opportunities to correct wrongs of the past”. We are afflicted at multiple levels, hence our solutions must be multiply-faceted; all this should involve praxis – both a raising of consciousness and visible actions. Remember that millions are not even literate. Consider that you are literate, and that you are reading this now. For these reasons, you can find your own way to a solution; ideas are powerful. Some social constructions have to be changed by our sitting and talking. Seek groups and affiliate yourself to those with positive agendas. Ultimately, even with help from the rest of the world, it will take Africans (individually and collectively) to change Africa- more so, those who have been afforded the opportunity and the chance to do so. Such change should not merely be rhetoric. At some point it has to change and touch people’s lives, even if it is inconvenient- for example, not giving bribes to obtain some official document such as a national identification card or a passport. This is an attempt to be the hope of the continent. « return.