Together as one
InterAction is a grand forum for open conversations on Africa and leadership. It is Africa's contribution to the world with the support of our British friends.
I readily identify with the African approach of tackling our issues, because together we draw more energy to move away from the paradox of being a continent that is so richly blessed and yet despised, to being the next best thing going to happen in the world. We need not merge as one nation, but we should approach the center as one. For example when it comes to world trade, Africa needs one voice to be powerful, relevant and influential.
From the Wall of Greatness, it is obvious that if our governments focus on Education, Agriculture and Tourism, we will have a voice that cannot be ignored. It is possible to see the change we want on this continent and it all begins with me. Africa's contributions to the world were vividly displayed along three sides of the wall in the large conference hall. Dwelling so much on our weaknesses all of the time, who would have thought that we were giving out so much to the world?
The Pan-African Event (in Senegal) punctured my assumption that countries in Africa are no longer self sufficient in food production. I learnt that Uganda produces more than enough food, even for exports. In a continent noted for receiving food aid, the agricultural potentials were crying out loud. Our areas of comparative advantage in the competitive global economy, insights I had gained from International Economic Law class, were practically displayed here.
Another assumption punctured is that democracy is a Western concept. I am also curious now about pre-colonial concepts of governance and leadership. In Module One, I learnt how important it is to be mindful of the sensitivity of feelings of others to particular issues and our responsibility as leaders to celebrate our gifts and successes in an Ubuntu way. Ubuntu is the African concept of humanity - “I am, because you are, because we are.” That's who we are in essence. Together, we inherit the strength of others, giving out energy and drawing energy from others. It is the reasoning behind such popular refrains as, 'No man is an island.' and 'We are our brother's keeper.' That should liberate everyone, old or young, and also enable each to do great work. During the 'Conversation That Make a Difference' session, I chose to join the discussion on NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development). Before then, I had heard it said a number of times that NEPAD was the brain child of former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo; incidentally, others have labeled it an Mbeki project, the aim of which is to provide a platform for South Africa to control the African economy. Indeed, one really must hold assumptions lightly. Could there be a tinge of resentment from smaller African countries which suspect the motives of the perceived bigger brothers? How can we then in the spirit of Ubuntu note and value our differences, share our resources, celebrate one another and enable space for both the tiny nations small and so-called giants to achieve greatness? Does Ubuntu extend to viewing South Africa, which is a global financial centre, as belonging to us all, and that Nigeria's oil wealth can serve to empower us all? And does it translate into me, you and us accepting ourselves in the knowledge that we all exist because of others? How do we communicate this effectively? How do we also in our respective countries extend the bond of filial love within our families, the strong tribal and cultural ties, to state, national and continental levels in order to make progress? |
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Cover Stories
"What You did't Know"
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