In every society and situation, sometimes it takes frank talk, which in many cases is very uncomfortable to move “things” forward. Such talk is that Africa needs itself, not aid. And Africa will be better served by Africities training its guns on this fact.
There were times when Steve Biko came across as inciting and targeting the oppressors as opposed to the oppression. However, a deeper reading and interpretation of the text reveal that he targeted the oppression, with oppressors only being a “convenient” vessel.
His thesis that liberal whites who were purporting to serve the de-yoking of black South Africans were merely positioning themselves to look good while ripping the useful benefits of apartheid, he posits:
“…..ask them for a moment to give a concrete meaningful programme that they intend adopting, then you will see on whose side they really are.” He highlights that these liberals were on their own side, serving their own interests. And there is nothing wrong with that. People are inherently self-serving.
It is imperative that we as Africans learn that we have the ability and duty to take charge of our own destiny. We must be at the heart of our own planning, organizing, and controlling the processes that improve our livelihoods.
Africities, now being held for the 9th time, should and indeed shall keep shaping the destiny of Africa as directed by ourselves – not doners and not foreign powers – just, we, the people backed by our own desire for progress. This begins with the realization that Africa must be, and is going to be, built by Africans.
Africities seeks to replace lamentation about social evils and focus fully on highlighting the possibilities heralded by Africa. Africities is a common platform from which we should address common opportunities.
Africities teaches us to “do-it-yourself.” This brings out raw emotion, and emotion is power. Let us tap into this power and do things for Africa, on behalf of Africa and because of Africa. Let Africa tell everyone else that “you cannot tell us what to do and what not to do.”
Color is a tool that has been used to put Africa in a box too long – Black Africa. Through platforms like Africities we will rise and let everyone understand that neither continent nor color is a box. And this we will do by proving that we are too big to fit anyone’s prescription of what Africa is or what Black means.
Just as Steve Biko put it; “…..the history of the country may have to be rewritten at some stage and that we may live in a country where color will not serve to put a man in a box.” We can rewrite the history of Africa by refusing to fit in a box. And Africities can as well champion this by ensuring prosperous sustainable cities through green energy and lean efficient operations.
