Page 13 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 9

MY AFRIKA

He basically suggests that aid wealth should be the primary instead of just being producers
was introduced in order to keep benefactors of their own re- of raw materials.
oppressive regimes in power sourcers before the Western
that would act at the behest of exploiters start to use these mate- It is critical to start with self and
the soure of the so-called aid, rials for themselves? then move to community be-
thereby allowing exploitation of cause the mindset of the indi-
Afrika to continue. But, I think that one of the most vidual can affet an entire nation,
annoying things about the debt based on their role in the society.
On the flip side, he says that debt situation in Afrika is not so much
was introduced simply as a tool what Dr. Nicholas highlights I know my way does not sound
of control which allows the lend- and which is well known to all like what you heard in your Mas-
er to put a hook in the jaw of and sundry - including Afrikan ter's classes and stuff.
this mighty continent so that the policy-makers - no. It is that Af-
West could lead it in any direc- rika allows herself to be like that But who says we need more than
tion it wants Afrika to go. mighty elephant, tied to a twig. the truth and our inner convic-
tions to make better decisons for
That reminds me of the analogy How else can you explain a conti- our lives, especially when we now
of the elephant that has been nent of 1.2 billion who continue know that most of the education
domesticated and grazes where in oppression and slavery when we are given in our schools and
its human master puts it, it's only they have almost every single at all levels, are basically mise-
restraint? A tiny rope tied to a resource that the West needs to ducation that are designed to
twig. The mighty elephant could run itself. That's NEED - as in, keep the unsuspecting in a never
pull away at any moment, but it necessity. ending spin of poverty?
has been so conditioned to re-
main in that one position and to It is this mindset that has to shift
believe that the tiny twig is more in Afrika and Afrikans and to
powerful, that it remains where it shift now.
is put.
Any way out?
Dr. Nicholas highlights in pain- Sure. Simply stop following the
ful detail the determination by band wagon for a moment, take
the West not to let Afrika go her a sincere look at yourself and
own way, and leave the prison tell yourself you were not right
of being commodity producers to have gone the way of debt,
for the West (which prices they determine in your heart to make
manipulate underhandedly) by changes however hard it may
using simple tricks to control her. seem, take a closer look at what
He says that the West will not let you already have, see the riches
Afrika be free to pursue activities in it, start recreating that riches
that would truly be beneficial to from a new place of sincerity and
the continent's growth simply be- honest acceptance that you really
cause it would impact negatively need to be free from the slavery
on the West's standards of living. of the one you owe.

So, what about our own stan- Pay off your debt and plan to
dards of living? Should it not live free from there on. Start
be that the world's top producer empowring your people towards
or source of mineral and food value addition for their porducts,

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