Dreaming of Africa

While many parts of Africa are naturally rich, the effects of colonialism on our identity and psych still exists; just as our inability to overcome them.

The major reason for the poverty of our ideas and our people are the international laws, which were designed a very long time ago, and are exercised in selecting what Africa should export - in accordance with Western needs.

How can Africa be rich when its economic power is centred elsewhere ‒ indeed, outside our national boundaries? The notorious gang of all times “the super powers from the First World”, specifically the US and the Western European countries, are in full control of our resources.

African governments are negotiating deals with international investors that are replicas of colonial arrangements. Africans typically endure governments that are, to varying degrees, corrupt and capricious, which is a symptom but not the biggest problem. Most African leaders go through a “moments of madness” disease when they decide that they don’t represent the interests of their own people, but theirs, and those of Western powers.

Africa has been labelled barbaric because we kill one another in vicious civil wars. But who sells us the firearms?

In Africa, the digital divide is enormous, yet people need technological innovations for transformation. It’s a pipe dream, but Africans need to unite and speak with one voice to fight for their economic emancipation.

•SakhileDubeisreading towardsthePostGraduate DiplomainJournalism&Media StudiesatRhodesUniversity