This is probably a very harsh response, but if the politicians actually took their heads out of their pockets, perhaps they could see the potential. But then again, it's a catch 22, because if they see the potential, can you imagine the higher rate of corruption on the continent.

What ever happened to the Education Minister? He's a bright fellow.

Posted 14 Aug 2008 by SouljaGirl

If you think about it there is always one bright spark that sees what we already know and he just Sais something about it. Everyday there is someone complaining about how bad the country is. Thank you we already know that. We need someone that can do something about it. Someone that can force a nation to convert and become better. Someone with the vision that can change that that can not be changed. Unfortunately that person is already dead. Agh Hitler what a man he could have been.

"Notice the satirical insight"

Posted 14 Aug 2008 by Lucid

Well not you as in you directly, you as if Lucid you - but people who are already so hopelessly despondent that they have no fight left in them, no fire, not even a spark. Why do we keep a record of history and that which is said by intelligent people if not to learn from them?

I posted the quote to get people speaking and thinking about things - you are right in that many of us already know that Africa does not need to be a poor continent and that many of the problems being faced today are a direct consequence of her leaders. What does it help us though if we are all just willing to sit back and accept things as they are and simply say: 'There is nothing that I can do, so why bother!'

We need to ensure that our hopes, dreams and aspirations remain in the forefront of daily life. We need to let the politicians and other leaders know that we are thinking about and more importantly talking about what they are doing and will hold them accountable for their actions. They are not out of reach in their ivory towers, they are elected representatives and we as a public have the right to question anything and everything that they do. As James Madison said (thereafter used in V for Vendetta): "people should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people."

Posted 14 Aug 2008 by Deacon

I get what you are trying to say, but unfortunately reality is not quite so wonderful. Just imagined if we lived in a world where the leaders in government cared more about the ppl that themselves.

I, in principal, do not believe that an entire country should be run by one man. Rather, a group of ppl elected ppl each representing their "tribe" (for lack of a better word)

In the end, there will never be a perfect government while pll are running the show. As long as humans run the show, war, pain and suffering will forever be the world we live in.

I believe things will change, and soon.

Posted 14 Aug 2008 by pinky22

Hey Pinky, you are 100% correct, we unfortunately do not live in Utopia and people are fallible, but does that mean we should stop trying to change things and to get people talking and involved?

Posted 14 Aug 2008 by Deacon

Yes we are talking yes we are making our voices heard. Though in the darkness of an unwilling ear. Sorry to say that the fight is not gone in our souls but is has been stripped by denying our very rights. Sorry to say but we have no right anymore to say what the problem is as it is then attributed to being racist. My voice has been silenced by the color of my skin and it does not matter how much you want to debate or deny it the reality is not here on a forum where people live out fantasies of making a difference it is out there in real life where the oppressed is now the oppressor. Talking YES we are talking and that is what we will do until a more "and I am sorry to say this" violent manner has to be resorted to as history has show countless times when people have been ignored and they need to be heard. History will not be just repeating itself. I am sorry to say that it will stay a continues loop as long and mankind breathes injustice.

Posted 15 Aug 2008 by Lucid

As I was reading all the posts that James Madison quote went through my mind as well.

All very valid points on both sides of the debate - and there is one point (spanner) that I would like to throw into the works. This is, I think, the biggest problem facing Africa going forward.

Even though the younger generations have seen the that leaders are fallible and that changes do need to be made historical and tribal ties will prevent them from voting any different to what their parents and community expect them to. So, in reality, your government has nothing to fear from its people.

My question would be - how do you go about changing this mind set. When well-educated, intelligent people are still reverting to what is expected, even though they know that it might not necessarily be the best option in a fast changing World.

You need a forward thinking government who sees beyond the here and now.

I have recently started reading the blogs of a woman, whose pseudonym is Sarah, Maid of Albion - here is an Englishwoman, who has an insight into the African political situation that is not sugar coated and not all rainbow nation and fairies.

I do think that internationally there is a wake up call in the offing - and could this mean that pressure will be put on Africa to start being held accountable for itself, instead of shouting for aid (which in my mind has been completely mis-managed) - give a man a fish vs teaching him to fish.
I do hope so!

Posted 15 Aug 2008 by zetien

Many well educated and far more informed people than us have stated that things in all spheres of society require time, and especially so in the realm of politics. Look at Zimbabwe (apart from the fact that Bob refuses to let go), eventually the majority of people realised that in order to affect change they needed to vote for the opposition. Given time new generations will be less bound to the whims of their parents and tribal affiliations and begin voting for the party that they feel will best represent their needs, desires and aspirations - and yes, given time, this will happen across the colour barrier.

The question that needs to be asked however is are you going to sit back and wait, constantly complaining that there is nothing that can be done - that everything is in fact set in stone and no amount of discussion or motivation of the masses will change it; or are you going to continue to speak out and to try to make what little difference you can. I fear that when enough people feel disempowered that then we will have a situation where nothing can be done, a basic reversal of the human condition!! Without a strong and vocal opposition any government has the ability to far too easily cross the barrier of democracy and turn to despotic rule.

We are gifted here in Namibia with the freedom to speak out and too have our say, even though sadly many either do not understand that they have that right or even more sadly have decided to not utilize it. The argument that nothing can be done to change the situation is the exact one used at voting time with people claiming that they are not going to bother voting because they cannot make any difference, when in fact in a representative government (such as we have) every single vote does count - as trite as that may sound!

I am no revolutionary - I just want to inspire!!

Posted 15 Aug 2008 by Deacon

'In times of Universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act' George Orwell - 1984

Posted 15 Aug 2008 by zetien

The problem is with our leaders and opposition. They always want to be in power and the opposition will rather fight if they loose an election then work together. This is how all the wars is in Africa no team work. Take Namibia ministers are in power since independence instead of giving over to their younger Counter parts who have new and fresh ideas for the country. Take Zim, that country can flourish But because one man is hanging on to power he is taking the whole country down and still blaming the white people who ruled more than 20 years ago for it.

Posted 17 Aug 2008 by Rickyl