Changing Africa’s narrative!

As an African, it is an obligation to educate the shallow-minded individuals that Africa isn’t the “dark continent”. We as a people cannot continue to promote and perpetuate this idealogy that Africa is a dark continent. Henry Stanley only made assumptions prior to his visitation but if it was so dark as he narrated, then why visit? Before we delve into corruption and aspects of development, before we speak of some failing leaders and how egoistic they are, do not forget that colonialism played its role and still does in most French African countries. We have allowed non-Africans brainwash us with their versions of historical events for example the Wylie lynch during the time of slavery.

“To conquer is to change your mindset” stated Louis Farrakhan, how then do we change our mindset and the mindset of others who think we do walk with lions on the streets and sleep with monkeys? We are only able to change mentalities and purge others from ignorance by elucidating on our different things, for example Nigeria having great infrastructures, Zimbabwe with a better health care system, and Nigeria implementing health care insurance schemes. In 2030 communicable disease would be eradicated as stated by the Economist Intelligence unit based on these interventions. There’s an understanding of discrepancies and just like any other imperfections. Note a unified global effort by some African governments and multilateral organizations will bring huge success for Africa as a whole.

In response to the above ideology, Africa is not totally dark and less developed; Africans are changing the trajectory of things by implementing new innovations and working hard to make Africa a better place. Prior to contemporary times, we had leaders like Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso, Sereste Khama of Botswana that worked hard to make Africa a better continent. Sereste Khama was born in a powerful royal family and was educated in South Africa and the UK became the prime minister of Botswana in 1965 and became the President 1966 after Botswana gained its independence. Sereste set up an economic program to transform Botswana's export or trade economy; between 1966 to 1980 Khama initiated and established market-friendly policies to generate wealth and boost his country's economy. Botswana's economy was fast-growing and still is, let's urge you to research that dear reader. In current times, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya are changing Africa’s narrative.

President Kagame is the 4th and current president of Rwanda who took over this country after the genocide and nineteen years later Rwanda is considered economically stable, peaceful, and more developed. As a matter of fact, Rwanda created its first Volkswagen after President Kagame stated: “Africa does not need to be a dumping ground for secondhand cars or secondhand anything,” President Paul Kagame said at the unveiling ceremony". Colonialism has been the devil, a shallow one at that, it is vital for a United Africa and an educated world. How do we term a place we get the most essential and most valuable resources from as “black”, “bad, or dark”? Africa is rich, beautiful, and filled with quick-witted people, ready to grow, be innovative, be competitive, and marvelous. We are rich in culture that comprises our music, fashion, food, and language. We are rich in resources such as copper, gold, diamond, bauxite and so much more. This is the synopsis of our Africa, a continent with 54 beautiful countries and until we change the narrative, the world will remain uneducated.