Obscene Africa

I TRY to stay positive and continually strive to keep a positive frame of mind. My efforts are, however, often thwarted by my fellow Africans.

I read in the Sunday papers of the gifts that the King of Swaziland had received on the occasion of his (tiny) country’s golden jubilee celebrations.

While most of his subjects live in dire poverty he, the King, gets to wear a royal blue jacket with diamonds the weight of which is believed to be more than 5kg and a watch made by US jeweller Jacob & Co worth R21 million.

During the celebrations he received gifts including a herd of 344 cattle, a dining room suite “made of gold and decorated with precious stones” and R15m in cash.

This type of story is not far-fetched in Africa.

The vast majority of African leaders live in obscene wealth while the ordinary citizens live wretched lives. What does the international community do about this perverse situation… nothing!

Under these circumstances how am I expected to stay positive about Africa, in general, and our region in particular? I try, but I am finding it more and more difficult to do so. Russell Ongley Great Brak River