What’s next for Africa?

By Okey Ndibe

Almost thirty years ago, the Indo-Trinidadian writer and caustic wit, V.S. Naipaul, told the American writer, Elizabeth Hardwick, “Africa has no future.”

It’s a harsh dismissal, but one could at least take solace in the fact that it came from the lips of a notorious curmudgeon and sourpuss. In his long career, Naipaul has mocked everything and everybody, from his country of birth, the India of his ancestral descent, his late English wife, Pat, who slaved as a teacher to pay his bills in the years that he struggled to earn a living as a writer, to Islam and fellow writers everywhere, African, European and American.

Lester Thurow, a former Dean of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management, does not have Naipaul’s talent for instant disparagement. Yet, he wrote a bestselling book, Creating Wealth: The New Rules for Individuals, Companies and Countries in a Knowledge-based Economy, in which Africa is termed “an economic desert.” As metaphor, a desert implies aridity, lifelessness, the absence of hope.

Long before Naipaul and Thurow, a slew of British and European writers had produced dire prognoses about Africa. In 1831, the German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel concluded that Africa was too “enveloped in the dark mantle of the night” to be reckoned a “historical part of the world”. The English writer, Joyce Cary, who doubled as a colonial officer, wrote that, in Africa, basic obsessions are seen “in bold and dramatic action.” Then John Buchan, in his novel Prester John, has one of his characters proclaim that, as long as whites continue to exhibit “the gift of responsibility,” they “will rule not in Africa alone but wherever there are dark men who live only for their bellies.”

The sum of it is that, as far as many European writers and their Naipaul clones are concerned, Africa’s economic doldrums and political instability arise from racial taint. Africa’s woes are deemed to be a product of our primal instincts, our self-destructive habits, our inability to think beyond the immediate desire.

Let’s be clear: Europe’s portrait of Africa is gravely distorted. The violence of European’s meddling in Africa set the tone for many of the continent’s crises. When western journalists write with voyeuristic glee about famine, wars and a litany of other maladies in Africa, they obscure the historical role played by Europe in carving up Africa into artificial, incoherent nation-states. They also ignore the complicity of global corporations in exploiting Africa’s resources, whether it’s crude oil, gold, uranium or diamond. Even today, these corporate predators are deeply invested in Africa’s political chaos. Their obscene profits often depend on Africa’s continuing instability.

Yet, it’s time Africans confronted the question of their continent’s economic and political perils. What explains the paradox that Africa has produced some of the world’s best writers, but the continent’s reading base remains as small as its publishing industry is marginal? Many Africans often show up in the lists of top physicians in North America, Europe and Asia, yet most African countries cannot boast the most rudimentary health care for their citizens. Africa has prodigious endowments of some of the most prized natural resources, including oil, diamond, and uranium, yet the continent’s leaders haunt conclaves of so-called donor-nation, begging bowls in hand.

In truth, Africa has produced too many depraved figures who lived through their bellies. Think of Mobutu Sese Seko, Sani Abacha, Ibrahim Babangida, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Gnassingbe Eyadema, and Olusegun Obasanjo.

It seems to me that there are two Africas, and they are at war. There is, on the one hand, the Africa of enlightened, morally astute and professionally trained men and women who can hold their own anywhere in the world. On the other hand, there is the Africa of lechers, of morally inept men and women whose trade is power and whose religion is conspicuous consumption – especially of other peoples’ products.

I admit, of course, to oversimplifying a complex equation. There are many Africans who, while poorly educated, display great moral insight. And there are many highly trained Africans who collude with rustic elements to steal whatever is in sight – and much that isn’t.

A salutary turn in Africa’s fortunes depends on the ascendancy of its more enlightened citizenry. Is Africa hopeless? Hell no! Yet, it’s finally up to Africans to summon their intelligence and vision to the task of self-redemption. We cannot afford to leave the question of what’s next for Africa in the hands of those whose minds cannot soar beyond the distance of their protuberant bellies.

Robot  # 1 | 08.01.2009 00:38

A salutary turn in Africa’s fortunes depends on the ascendancy of its more enlightened citizenry. Is Africa hopeless? Hell no! Yet, it’s finally up to Africans to summon their intelligence and vision to the task of self-redemption. We cannot afford to leave the question of what’s next for Africa in the hands of those whose minds cannot soar beyond the distance of their protuberant bellies. ...Read the full article.

akuluouno  # 2 | 08.01.2009 02:45

Dear ON, Happy New Year. As a social science student under one of the great romanticisits of Africa's past, Prof Miriam Odinchezo Ikejiani-Clark, a scion of the great nationalist Dr Ikejiani, I rued over this continued romance of African past and all the atrocities committed by Europe in Africa. Almost over half a century, Africa is free, independent and what do we have. Ghana and some states shining the light, while Nigeria literally leads from the back in the generation of darkness all over the continent. Remember that it was not only Africa that was colonised. Asia was and where are some of these Asian states today. In his great book, "From Third World to First World", the former Singaporean Prime Minister and founder of Modern Singapore Lee Kew, vividly revealed how African leaders have continued to underdevelop Africa. Even our own Balewa was not spared in that book. Now let me take on some of your submissions below. You wrote: Let’s be clear: Europe’s portrait of Africa is gravely distorted. The violence of European’s meddling in Africa set the tone for many of the continent’s crises. When western journalists write with voyeuristic glee about famine, wars and a litany of other maladies in Africa, they obscure the historical role played by Europe in carving up Africa into artificial, incoherent nation-states. They also ignore the complicity of global corporations in exploiting Africa’s resources, whether it’s crude oil, gold, uranium or diamond. Even today, these corporate predators are deeply invested in Africa’s political chaos. Their obscene profits often depend on Africa’s continuing instability. I comment: This cannot be advanced as the reasons today. In the Niger Delta, it is the central government that is even encouraging the oil companies to commit havoc. If these companies are to talk, and damn their profits and shareholders, you will be shocked by their revealations. Who sells arms to the government and who sells arms to the militants? You wrote: Yet, it’s time Africans confronted the question of their continent’s economic and political perils. What explains the paradox that Africa has produced some of the world’s best writers, but the continent’s reading base remains as small as its publishing industry is marginal? Many Africans often show up in the lists of top physicians in North America, Europe and Asia, yet most African countries cannot boast the most rudimentary health care for their citizens. Africa has prodigious endowments of some of the most prized natural resources, including oil, diamond, and uranium, yet the continent’s leaders haunt conclaves of so-called donor-nation, begging bowls in hand. I write: I totally agree with you here. The environment in Africa often does not allow for the manifestaton of excellence. The leaders are always mischievious. Tell me is it still the whiteman that is responsible. Do you know that it is easier for say an Igboman to live in peace and security in Iceland than say in some parts of Nigeria. Ditto other tribes in Nigeria. You wrote: In truth, Africa has produced too many depraved figures who lived through their bellies. Think of Mobutu Sese Seko, Sani Abacha, Ibrahim Babangida, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Gnassingbe Eyadema, and Olusegun Obasanjo. I respond: I know that if you were to be exhaustive in your list, the whole internet will not suffice but let us remember dead clowns like Emperor Bedel Bokassa, Lansana Conte, Kamuzu Banda and the living clowns like King Msawati of Swaziland, Omar Bongo of Gabon, Paul Biya of Cameroun, the current Pharoah in Egypt etc etc You wrote: It seems to me that there are two Africas, and they are at war. There is, on the one hand, the Africa of enlightened, morally astute and professionally trained men and women who can hold their own anywhere in the world. On the other hand, there is the Africa of lechers, of morally inept men and women whose trade is power and whose religion is conspicuous consumption – especially of other peoples’ products. I comment: Indeed. In Nigeria today, these consumatory caterpillars have targeted Dubai. It is their new haven. African needs a critical mass of the former to become engaged in the governing of men, apologies to Austin Ranney, just as in Ghana. I think that is what you came to in yours below: A salutary turn in Africa’s fortunes depends on the ascendancy of its more enlightened citizenry. Is Africa hopeless? Hell no! Yet, it’s finally up to Africans to summon their intelligence and vision to the task of self-redemption. We cannot afford to leave the question of what’s next for Africa in the hands of those whose minds cannot soar beyond the distance of their protuberant bellies. And regarding bellies, I now call them Penguins especially the Emperor species.:hail::hug: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Iyke  # 3 | 08.01.2009 03:32

Dear ON, granted that you are right on European impoverization of Africa, we share the buck of the blame. forty years after independence Nigeria cannot boast of an hour constant supply of power. The facts on ground validates most comments of both european and asian descent "Africa is not ready for development" the only panacea to this is for the learned and enlightened africans to organise and plan on how to take over power. insofar as we just rattle and rant, those power-bessothed mafia will continue to draw us back. it will not be easy, given the rot that now exist, but i beleive with concerted effort we can atleast ensure that africans feed themselves without resorting to Aids, africans must say no to war, and engage massively in food production. to start with.

Iyke  # 4 | 08.01.2009 03:39

<. In his great book, "From Third World to First World", the former Singaporean Prime Minister and founder of Modern Singapore Lee Kew, vividly revealed how African leaders have continued to underdevelop Africa. Even our own Balewa was not spared in that book. Now let me take on some of your submissions below. Hi Akulonu, just a correction. I just finished reading Lee Kuan Yew's book. he berated Okotiebo and not Balewa, Okotiebo was talking of banning shoe importation just because his company wants to start producing shoes. in earnest, Lee was refering to immoralities behind policy formation in Africa which is a factual case. its a pity that it has become a perennial issue.

Gbolly  # 5 | 08.01.2009 07:34

Happy New Year, Okey! Your analysis and comments on What's Next For Africa are well thought out and profound. In my opition, the real answer to What's Next For Africa rests on each and every one of us. Africans have the tendency to shift their responsibities to their government or wait for government to carry their loads for them, rather than taking the bull by the horns themselves. I pray that a new dawn of effective responsibility, reliability, and productivity rests on Africans.

LoveNigeria  # 6 | 08.01.2009 09:20

Nice piece ON. For me talking about Africa's problems is too broad, I can only think of Nigeria. The solution to all of Nigeria's problems can only come from the spiritual. There's an evil spiritual entity behind the scene pulling the strings in Nigeria. This entity has built permanent satanic structures that are impossible to demolish (humanly). This entity must be overthrown and the structures demolished before Nigeria can begin make any progress. By the way one of these permanent structures is corruption.

DaBishop  # 7 | 08.01.2009 09:36

The New Dawn is here. What is ya role, intellectual?

MrOneNaija  # 8 | 08.01.2009 14:03

DEMOCRACY, DEVELOPMENT AND THE WILL TO SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH =Robot;310141> It seems to me that there are two Africas, and they are at war. There is, on the one hand, the Africa of enlightened, morally astute and professionally trained men and women who can hold their own anywhere in the world. On the other hand, there is the Africa of lechers, of morally inept men and women whose trade is power and whose religion is conspicuous consumption – especially of other peoples’ products. I admit, of course, to oversimplifying a complex equation. There are many Africans who, while poorly educated, display great moral insight. And there are many highly trained Africans who collude with rustic elements to steal whatever is in sight – and much that isn’t. A salutary turn in Africa’s fortunes depends on the ascendancy of its more enlightened citizenry. Is Africa hopeless? Hell no! Yet, it’s finally up to Africans to summon their intelligence and vision to the task of self-redemption. We cannot afford to leave the question of what’s next for Africa in the hands of those whose minds cannot soar beyond the distance of their protuberant bellies. Let me begin by adding to what has been mentioned regarding the kind of writing or discourse that has throughout history sought to denigrate Africa and its peoples while offering alibis for their misfortune at the hands of alien influences and their local allies. Although the late Leopold Senghor is today remembered for his efforts as one of the most coherent proponents of what used to be called Négritude, those who consider his entire worldview as suspect are quick to point to his enduring legacy as an unabashed uncle tom, to put it bluntly, of African scholarship and political leadership. Within the Francophonie movement, Senghor is hailed as a legend, an authority on what it means to be part of that select club of those privileged souls who have French as a language of common usage. Yet, it was the same Senghor who made an infamous statement that was quickly embraced by the French establishment who no doubt saw in it an irrefutable confirmation of their deeply entrenched prejudices. In what he probably imagined as a positive, matter-of-fact appraisal of African culture and ways, the essence of the African, as he put it, Sengor was to remark, inter alia, that " l' émotion est nègre et la raison est hélène". ! What Senghor was saying was that the African or black person is essentially an emotional being and his white counterpart a fundamentally rational one, hence his dubious dichotomy. That the late Senegalese poet and thinker became a respected statesman has meant more odium for his manichean construct. It is curious that the current French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, did borrow profusely from Senghor's writings during his very first address to an African audience on African soil - at the University of Dakar. The Sarkozy speech centred on how to get Africa out of its economic and leadership woes. By their respective conduct, African rulers have consistently shown that they are not ready to prove Senghor and his puppet masters wrong. Two lessons can be gleaned from the Senghor allusion. (1). That an enlightened leader ( meaning well educated and universally recognized as morally conscious ) may sometimes be encumbered by philosophical limitations that ultimately prevent the realization of the people's legitimate aspirations. (2). Failed leadership does not have to wear the Obasanjo or Bokassa emblem for it to be considered as retrogressive. A third point is the fact that we should factor in the potential role of the masses in helping chart the way forward for the long-suffering peoples of Africa. In Nigeria today, most of the anti-people elements in power are very well educated. They are obviously enlightened (that is they know what is right and wrong) and yet for some inexplicable considerations, have refused to do the correct thing. The society has not risen to its collective responsibilities to challenge these depraved and callous characters. The ultimate challenge is for the average Nigerian and all the people who have historically been at the receiving end of the criminal truancy on display in government houses and local government councils all over the continent to muster the courage and confront their respective tormentors, once and for all. In our dear Naija, we can do that when the educated as well as the not-so-educated march together to forcefully repudiate the results of rigged elections.

Uwaa Sef  # 9 | 08.01.2009 14:10

=ula-lisa;310258>The New Dawn is here. What is ya role, intellectual? A critic --- and you? Don't tell me you are neither. Later

udokaamah  # 10 | 08.01.2009 16:03

The two options open to Africa, albeit Nigeria, is either to look backwards and waste valuable time clinically dissecting our fate and spreading blame, or to look forward, embrace change and have a rendevous with destiny. I prefer the latter option. The only way Africa (Nigeria) can stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the world is to embrace science and technology. Science is the magic bullet for all the ills that Nigeria and the African continent face. In 25 years science transformed China, India, Brazil and Mexico. Chile, Malaysia and Vietnam are making massive investment in science and technology as a matter of national priority. Developed nations invest a minimum of 2% of their national GDP or more in Research and Development (R&D). Such investments translate to a skilled workforce, education and greater wealth. Poorer countries spend more on welfare programs. Genetic engineering and biotechnology can guarantee our food security and make food affordable. kidnapping and hostage taking can be addressed by deploying tracking technology. Cyber security can finally deal a death blow to corruption. If the money trail of terrorist and rogue nations can be shut down, we can use a similar technology to catch white collar thieves in Nigeria. If they cannot launder the money, then they cannot steal it. Our elections can be transparent if we employ electronic voting system. Nigeria can begin by using 4 existing universities as centers of excellence. And invest heavily in them towards R&D, so that they can serve as laboratories of change. Africa is starved of science. People still pray for rain to ensure bumper harvest. That is unfortunate. The white farmers of Zimbabwe used modern technology to turn that country into the food basket of africa. The G8, UNESCO, and NEPAD all concede that science and technology play key role in helping africa achieve their development goals.

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