When South Africa attained its independence under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, in his wisdom Mandela asserted that they had merely attained the freedom to be free.
True freedom is of the soul – the liberation of the mind. To be truly free, it is imperative that we ceaselessly question our beliefs, what we have learned by their motives and their bases. You are not truly free until you are able to think your own thoughts and reach a level that is most joyful in your heart.
In his true element, in I Write What I Like, Biko states: “In stages during my life I have managed to outgrow some of the things the system taught me. Hopefully, what I propose to do now is to take a look at those who participate in opposition to the system – not from detached point of view but from the point of view of a black man, conscious of the urgent need for an understanding of what is involved in the new approach – ‘black consciousness’.”
Everything worth achieving is only attained when grounded on deep seated belief. How can Africa outgrow what “the system has taught us?” This better begins with the starting point which is “why are we here?” what is our contribution to mankind?
A preferrable approach is to answer the six questions earlier posed:
What challenges are uniquely African?
Two major challenges in Africa’s cities are infrastructure and solid waste handing. We can borrow from the likes of Holland and Singapore and use our solid waste in power generation – no need reinventing the wheel.
Where are our issues stinging the most?
The issue of slums, which is mainly driven by inadequate planning and lack of proper plan implementation can be plugged by bringing standardization to emerging cities as well as growing cities and ensuring research implementation, especially regarding rural to urban migration patterns.
When can we best address these issues?
The best point at which to address these issues is at the point when city leadership determines that there is a likely influx of population. Trying to develop infrastructure, housing, and sanitation management after settlement of population is both disruptive and ineffective.
On whom do we put our trust to tackle these challenges?
The private sector, with its profit motive – stands the best chance in developing infrastructure and handling waste management. This can be best done through Public Private Partnership (PPP). Just look at the speed and effectiveness with which the Nairobi Expressway has been built.
How do we develop systems and institutions that best provide sustainable solutions?
Through institutions of higher learning and private consulting firms we can develop the best systems and after understanding the most efficient ways, create institutions that best drive such agenda.
Why is addressing these challenges critical to the progress of Africa?
It is where people exert energy that wealth grows. Every challenge is an opportunity to exert energy. Things are only accomplished through work. LET US GET TO WORK.
Follow this for more parallels between I Write What I like and the Africities in our daily comparative analysis.
