Black History Month

Black people suffered a lot of injustice throughout history. Although a lot of the oppression was at the hands of people from far away lands; driven by greet, desperation to survive and the insatiable appetite for absolute power. Some of our black brothers were hunted by men in smart coats, with dogs; as though they were foxes in the now illegal foxhunt. Others were sold to slavery, an existence without rights, voice, integrity... and others became involuntary participants in some of the most draconian medical studies this world has ever seen. However, some of the pain and torture was self-inflicted; our own xenophobic, egotistic and self-serving tendency put our own in harm’s way. From the notorious black slave traders to the evil men that tried to eliminate whole ethnicities in a frenzy of satanic hatred.



It is black history month; a month that is meant to celebrate our progress through the ages as a people; our origins in Africa and the continent Africa itself. Africa has a violated past, a violent present and, unless we do something about it, a violent and violated future. With the echoes of slave trade, colonisation and ethnical cleansing still ringing in their ear, and a host of isms to deal with; racism, nepotism, tribalism, to name but a few… and a bleak vision of indecisive leadership, corruption inherent with the system and a host of other unsavoury attributes to the word Africa.

What we need is 2 generations more of selfless leaders – the kind who would sacrifice themselves if they felt they were not good for Africa’s ultimate future… those who would not be bribes a few million dollars in exchange for trillions of dollars worth of African resources, resources that could take Africa out of the begging hole to become a world financier and donor. Leaders who will respect the rule of law and the will and spirit of the people and their constitution; who will not impose military discipline on civilians but use military precision to create a wholesome and holistic system that serves the people, feeds the people and protects the people. Leaders with real insight into the way the world works; able to negotiate on equal footing as the powers of the world; and not overwhelmed by the celebrity or colour of the leaders they are at table with.

In the past we have had leaders who selflessly gave up their future to create the possibility of the African dream; the dream to wake up from a restful night, make breakfast for the children, send them to school and go to work…where you aspire to be the manager and are given equal opportunity to do so (regardless of the fact that you have no relation to people of any consequence.) To come back from work and either go to a prayer meeting or go to the local bar for one or two… watch TV and then go to bed. It’s a simple existence, but one with such sweetness…. To be able to choose one’s leaders without fear of prosecution and to have those leaders answerable to the people who voted for them would be ideal. To be measured according to one’s performance and results rather than the colour of skin or the tribe from which they come; their religion or race…. They fought for this and sacrificed their lives, their careers and indeed their blood, sweat and tears. The next generation of leaders should give up all anticipation of amassing wealth for their coffers and sacrifice that for Africa.

Many people argue that the West raped, pillaged and enslaved us and that is how they bought their development. This is true; but should this keep us shackled for eternity? Can we not as a people show the world how to develop without destroying other thriving civilisations and without obliterating the environment that sustains us? Will we not be known as the continent that build without crushing; healed without killing; fed without enslaving?? I believe that this is a possibility; and Africa has the heart to pull it off.

We are a large continent with vast resources; industrious people and the world’s best weather. If we can unite as a people; find one language, pool our resources and synergy our ideas, we will progress fast enough to be a world leader in the next forty years. Let us invest our resources to finance the development of our people, our infrastructure and our world. Our children are key; if we can educate every one of them; give them life skills, then we would have made progress and put them in positions of equal interaction with the international community. Support every child, give them the chance to take Africa where our forefathers and even ourselves never dreamt of. WE ARE AFRICA!!!