This website is created as a result of the authors experiences travelling the globe, working in East and South Africa and engaging in countless political debates (even if Lonely Planet suggests this is taboo!) with Africans and non Africans alike. These discussions have been casual - such as over dinner or at a friend's house and also formal - such as at UN conferences or at politically charged youth conferences.
Bob Marley and others before + after him have sung about the need for Africa to unite. I have studied a lot of this music. Amnesty International gave Marley what I thought to be an unparalleled honour, and something many of today's "leaders" certainly don't get: AI said every where they travel around the globe, Bob Marley's music is the symbol of freedom. I would also agree with that, based on my travel experiences. Marley despised the political classes, and believed that all Africans were truly at home in Africa and the diaspora should eventually lead back there. It is easy to see why Marley believed this - during his time - every leader in the western world was white, even after Jamaica gained independance in the 60's white Prime Ministers were still running the show.
The problem is not that the PM's were white, it is that they and their circle of advisors used their authority to manipulate the country's black majority - to keep them fighting each other instead of uprooting their oppressors - predominantly the priviledged white class. Less than twenty years later this is what Nelson Mandela and co. accomplished in South Africa. Mandela and his supporters formed government against all odds and with very little support from the West, certainly none from Britain or America. Though the current situation facing black people in South Africa still deeply bothers me. The political chaos and general destitution in Jamaica frustrated Marley to no end - but he did not join in the armed struggle. Though that was the natural thing for a young man to do at the time. He used this frustration as inspiration for his music. And that is a truly beautiful thing; turning one man's passion into artistic melody that united a nation and all those struggling in poverty around the world. And today that "rebel music" has only gotten more potent.
I don't think anyone should kid themselves about the difficulties of achieving this 'ultimate' unification, despite the fact that colonial countries were primarily responsible for drawing up the borders of current African states. This meddling has significantly weakened the possibilty for the continent to unite. I cannot help but see the (artificial) border between Mali and Burkina Faso; Tanzania and Burundi; Chad and Sudan or South Africa and Zimbabwe as the pet project of some western bureaucrat or colonel. All this to say though, achieving unification will not bring instant rewards.
There can be no doubt that the continent has been left behind - economically, socially and politically. This cannot be disputed; it is a fact. However, what can be disputed is the reason for why Africa remains under-developed? Development practioners and politicians talk all the time about how unlike other regions with large scale poverty like SE Asia or Latin America - economic growth in Africa is either in a state of perpetual stagnation or completely backwards. Why is this? While limited growth and increased poverty are facts that characterize Africa today, what is not a fact and remains the subject of controversy is the reasons for this: geographic isolation, politics, ideology, racism, "western meddling", slave trade, climate, disease, weak infrastructure, limited education and rampant corruption to name a few. However, today's leaders and yesterday's in both the South and North, have certainly proved that continuous finger pointing has gotten Africa nowhere and fast!
I also hear talk of Africa as if it was a singular concept. It is grossly dishonest to characterize Africa in such a way - it is multi-dimensional, complex and culturally diverse continent. If I refer to Africa, I always do so in the context of its future political vision - that of United States. I don't refer to Africa, as many outiders do, as some place far away - a distant land out of sight and out of mind. As I see it, there are millions of stories just waiting to be told in each of its regions. Unfortunately, many of these stories are told through western eyes and we see them in films such as Blood Diamond or Out of Africa - they are entertaining but do little to cure misconceived notions of the continent. Nor do they reveal the boldness of the African landscape, the passion and energy of its peoples and the wonders of every day life.
Despite all the regional complexities and conflicts that occur in Africa today I passionately believe that the the continent can unite into a single country, surpass the political and economic integration as seen in the formation of the European Union. Africa can and MUST rival and even exceed the unity between the federal and state governments in the "United States" of America. Yes, it is possible. And it would be easy for me to say, now, this will take many generations. I firmly believe, not to overlook the dangers inherent in rushing through an idea this big, the U.S. of Africa can happen in my generation. The seed was planted by others before me many many moons ago. On the flip side, look at what happens if the continent does not - Africa falls farther behind, a continued mass exodus of its people and economic + social malaise like never before.
This is and will remain the underlying political vision of this site. In addition, I want to use this site to inspire anyone interested about the amazing work that is going on in different regions of Africa. This work is carried out by Africans, but also by some Westerners who can not sleep at night with the current status quo. Some critics see these westerners as wannabe hero's and do-gooders, but it need not be like that. We do not wear a cape. I dislike categorization and detest those who use labels out of laziness and ignorance.
The best way to put it, to describe those that want to really contribute, really sacrifice and aspire to something more than a fat salary with good benefits, is quite simply 'individuals who are fed up + demand more of their own governments and their fellow citizens' (to hold them to account). I am sure many have stopped reading by now and have dismissed me as idealistic, perhaps even naive! Yet, my heart has broken several times fighting for this end and still the flame continues to burn.
Wisdom suggests that a society is judged by how it treats the least among us. It is far easier to focus one's efforts on what's right in front of you, what's visible. But what about global society?? Problems are not always right in front of us. Somewhere thousands of miles away my fellow human being is suffering in the most egregious of ways. CNN/BBC show me the images when they choose - but the reality is that suffering doesn't stop when the camera pans away. This is the world I now live in. I can't and won't stand idle.
More to come!
