If only citizens as voters, pressurized governments to make multinational companies more responsible and to protect local interests, as well as ensure that local products find their way to international markets, we could reap the benefits of globalization.
Africa and its citizens are behind in international competitiveness, economic vibrancy, enterprise of its citizens and political stability hence, we more than ever need protection from international brands and businesses. What is the hope for the average Africa becoming an international entrepreneur if the Cocacolas and Apples of this world are given unlimited access into our markets; I’m guessing as you would that it would lead to the death of many local firms. We are simply not as strong as the “Economic Sharks”.
Its been mooted in globally that transnationals and multinationals play a great role in influencing the policies the host nations in which they exist by manipulating politicians in developing countries, bribing their ways through the corridors of power, thus making sure that their brands possess a monopoly of the market. Its funny that us indigenous Africans find ourselves bound by the whims and preferences of corporations that see us as just an extension of their markets. We need to show them something they've never seen, an economic and manufacturing never witnessed before, we need to get out of our political and economic apathy, care for the villages as much as we care for the “flashy cities with the street lights”. Invest home more, create local substitutes for international brands, our very own beverage for every bottle of coca-cola, our detergent for every Omo, our bar of soap for Imperial leather, and hibiscus wine for every bottle Moet. Instead of letting tears fall and complaining of the crimes, and poverty in Africa, will the elite Africans please stand up and support their continent? I’m talking about a revolution and I’m part of it, we work hard and deserve better, with a little more knowledge and awareness, we will run our economies as we care not for “those with their fingers on nuclear buttons”.
What are we here for if we will give up our rights without a fight, no need to cry because they only made us stronger. I don’t want to live my life “with my arms stretched out”, I was born close to the source of the Nile, in the midst of hills and mountains, my ancestors tamed lions and scorpions, I know my genes are great and I’ve failed the warriors who went before me; so this day I the lost find my way back setting the stage to show the heroes past something the universe will never forget.
Truth be told, the politicians are clueless in helping us. The neglect we have shown politics has resulted in inept individuals and ignorant fellows taking up the reins of African nations. The intellects and manufacturers have forgotten the impact of good and bad governance to their efforts. We have worked hard as hell for our chance to survive on this continent. We haven't lost our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters for other races to come take our homes. Militarily, economically, spiritually and intellectually, we will defeat every invader and the sellouts among us.
Its safe to say we’ve been lost since the invasion that destroyed our heritage, history, thought patterns and the course of our lives. We are in a strange place, the gap between we and the colonial nations is widening by the day, we keep chasing their shadows; sometimes we lay on the earth and cry because the confusion is disheartening, a maze so lunatic, it’s inevitable we will make mistakes.
The real is back, time has come, it starts now, we aren’t aiming too high infact we have aimed too low. They have worked so hard to keep our minds dumb; we snapping out of that. Don’t let them take your soul, one thing is for sure, we will overcome. Make our team win. Crunch time. This for Africans who want to live their dreams.
Nobody sees your vision till it becomes a best seller. We are caught between coming out of our personal dreams of coming out of collective poverty and achieving collective “Uhuru” for the generations to come. It really is a great task that we must complete. There’s beauty in the struggle. Compared to others we are blessed. The good news is that we’ve come a long way, the bad news is that we still have a long way to go. Lets ask for strength.
Globally, its best we understand that a strong and conscious Africa will not give away resources as cheap as we do today. The world needs us less than we need the world. Hear my words, I’m no doomsayer but we would be damned forever if we don’t wake and work for us.
IMF, the World bank, Chinese, German and french financial houses as well as the Paris club have never had our welfare of development as part of their objectives; in the days of old, slaves wore chains and walked around in rags; in this 21st century, slaves bear debts and have no say to the futures of their children and nations.
Africa has been conned to accepting debt as a way of life and the only way to survive. Our minerals have been mortgaged, tax collection, our sovereignty, independence, economic policies, cultures and tradition etc. Our leaders have been deceived and misled and rushed into this new economic situation that we do not understand and we were not meant to comprehend. We were given political independence but they kept the economies to themselves. We never knew how it worked, we never understood the real meaning of economic power. Our educational system is meant to create employees and civil servants, our mental state has been remolded to create a group of people who would accept without a fuss the western ideologies, policies and African dependency mindset.
We need to break loose of these chains, we need lead an economic revolution that would cater for the needs of the African. We need to change without concern to sanctions, treaties, legalities; we need to be swift and unforgiving in leading an economic change for us. With no respect and fear to the needs of the so called developed countries, we must be really free, we must be our own continent. Like the Asian Tigers have shown us, if we are ready to suffer for a brighter future, we will hand over a new continent to the unborn. @Kev_Diggy
