CAN BE BEACON OF HOPE

TO BURY the hatchet, Africa shouldn’t seek closure and restitution, and hold those responsible for her battered state to account. Colonialists, dictators and rogue apartheid leaders should be prosecuted for crimes, otherwise we’re setting a precedent with undesired consequences for future generations. The truth commission was just one credible but inadequate attempt to bring those who committed crimes to account.

Former colonial countries should com- pensate (not only aid) Africa for plundering her mineral resources and human resources (slavery and exploited labour), leaving her in a denuded and destitute state ravaged by wars.

The International Criminal Court should be restructured, mandated with impartial, coherent powers to try any country and leader found on the wrong side of the law including the “infallible” superpowers.

Our furtive, laissez-faire stance and approach has trivialised our protracted struggle for freedom, leaving perpetrators and their offspring holding on to ill-gotten (forged through apartheid laws) wealth and land with impunity.

Africa is in a compromised, destitute state that needs radical, revolutionary change.

All caring people (irrespective of race or creed) need to work together to salvage the crisis.

Africa has the mineral wealth and human resources to be the beacon of hope.

We need new innovative leaders with a focus on education, technology and justice to take the plucky Africa forward.

Patrick Mphuthi