What do you think Africa is like??

Well since the world cup , Iv'e just been wondering if the world has a diffrent outlook on Africa.

So just post what you think it's like. ( tell the truth you don't have to be embarrassed .)

Very rural, though apparently this is changing more. Very diverse. People with a lot of spirit and passion for life.
I hope Africa can kick out the outside influences and powers that've messed it up for centuries. Seems like when Africa is left alone, it's a fine place. South Africa, from friends I know from there, is slowly improving. World of difference pre Mandela and post Mandela. I want to go sometime.

Firstly, though, what was it like before the World Cup? I'm assuming you're taking the Cup as something that showed the world a bit more of Africa? I can't answer that because my World Cup was different to your World Cup. The only real international coverage of the World Cup I watched, was CNN's.

hmmmm...
Well pretty much the same except now we have a lot of soccer statutes that we have no idea what to do with.

Writerchick wrote:hmmmm...
Well pretty much the same except now we have a lot of soccer statutes that we have no idea what to do with.

The other side to events like the Olympics and World Cup, all that celebratory stuff is left around. Though you're a resourceful lot, no? Though I have no idea what use statues could serve.

Very rural, though apparently this is changing more.

Yes it is changing, and it's not so rural anymore. That isn't to say that villages don't exist, but then they're like the countryside in Britain, visited every now and then and usually only to see extended family members you haven't for a while.

I'm speaking for West Africa, and it is definitely improving. Ghana is changing and improving the fastest (though I think their newest President might be a step back for them). Then there's Nigeria, where I lived, and though the world knows it as a place full of scammers, it's changed too. The former President changed things, and the country is changing for the better. Actually, there's some kind of operation they're doing to change its image, I think it's supposed to be completed by 2020? I don't remember.

Okay then, I'm taking it you and TIGER are both African as well?
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Mustard is right, Africa is still reeling from the effects of the rest of the world imposing its will. However, from a positive view, we're getting there. My main piece of advice would be to refocus our priorities. Is it more important to instigate Affirmative Action, which hires people on grounds of race (If a black person and a white person meet the minimum requirement, even if the employer might want the white, he ought to choose the black. Or more precisely, in certain jobs in certain places, there should be a race ratio - four black teachers, two white, five inidan...) OR to focus all our money on the education and health sectors. What money? Africa has money, only thing is they ought to stop being exploited. Perhaps the biggest crutch is that they can't produce their own goods, only raw materials and certain foodstuffs.

On the negative side, we don't have very good planning and leaders. Corruption is a regular word (but please don't assosciate that with a dark alley and a child thrown in a dumpster). It's not as much the money that we care about but the fact that corrupt people don't handle things properly. See: Julius Malema. He's not corrupt, but he goes back to that bad leaders thing. Oh, and he's incredibly funny.

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Interviewer: Julius, if you'd failed grade 12, would you have killed yourself?
Julius: No, eish, I'd rather have committed suicide.
South Africa: *Blinks* *Laughs*
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I live in SA, by the way

Yes TNH. Born and raised in England, but I've got Africa in my blood.

Mustard is right, Africa is still reeling from the effects of the rest of the world imposing its will.

That is true. Actually, in my mind that's really the cause for all of its problems.

Is it more important to instigate Affirmative Action, which hires people on grounds of race (If a black person and a white person meet the minimum requirement, even if the employer might want the white, he ought to choose the black. Or more precisely, in certain jobs in certain places, there should be a race ratio - four black teachers, two white, five inidan...)

The opposite is the problem in Nigeria. A hundred black people could be qualified for a job, but if one white person applies without a single qualification he gets the job. It's because of that still-prevalent mentality of pandering to white people brought on by colonization.

On the negative side, we don't have very good planning and leaders. Corruption is a regular word (but please don't assosciate that with a dark alley and a child thrown in a dumpster).

Another good point. But there is this theory I have. I read something about Africa slowly passing through the same developmental stages that Britain and America did. You know how in the 18th and 19th centuries corruption was high, the place was filthy and disease was common, (The 19th century New York and London are prominent examples.) just as a lot of areas in Africa are now. So perhaps Africa will (one day soon, hopefully) pass onto the next stage, that is, the level of development Britain and America are in now. It's just a theory, but one I have hope for.

TIGERSPRITE wrote:

On the negative side, we don't have very good planning and leaders. Corruption is a regular word (but please don't assosciate that with a dark alley and a child thrown in a dumpster).

Another good point. But there is this theory I have. I read something about Africa slowly passing through the same developmental stages that Britain and America did. You know how in the 18th and 19th centuries corruption was high, the place was filthy and disease was common, (The 19th century New York and London are prominent examples.) just as a lot of areas in Africa are now. So perhaps Africa will (one day soon, hopefully) pass onto the next stage, that is, the level of development Britain and America are in now. It's just a theory, but one I have hope for.

Africa needs to produce its own goods and keep them IN Africa. That means industry that stays in Africa that works for Africans, not outside influences. Africa needs an economy built for the long term basis that can out-compete the foreign competition.

So long as Europe and the rest of the West are not killing each other, and Asia is on the rise, I don't see this changing at all. It's really too bad. We've done so much crap to you.

Africa needs to produce its own goods and keep them IN Africa.

Or learn how to deal properly and not get exploited.

The opposite is the problem in Nigeria. A hundred black people could be qualified for a job, but if one white person applies without a single qualification he gets the job. It's because of that still-prevalent mentality of pandering to white people brought on by colonization.

I think polarization is a great problem. It's getting better in South Africa but I believe it depends on the people. And you know how you get to the people? Not campaign, not ads, example Malema must stop called Zille a racist and the government should address racism in the face. They musn't call every other problem racism, but where it is found it must be rooted out. The ANC needs to show that white people are not excluded and that black people are not underestimated. This might be the only place where a little degree of affirmative action might be slightly acceptable.

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Away from race however, there are some policies that need to be addressed and some public figures that need to shape up. The other day Obama fired Stanley McChrystal for his wild mouth. Far as I know, he spoke out once and dissed all his friend. Obama said he won't tolerate that. People said, "Finally, Obama showed some backbone." and at the same time "Backbone? Backbone is chasing away people that criticize you?"
I personally think Obama had a point, the general shouldn't have talked like that. Let's talk about Julius Malema. If Obama thought that was insulting...
Google: Julius Malema and BBC Journalist

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Another good point. But there is this theory I have. I read something about Africa slowly passing through the same developmental stages that Britain and America did. You know how in the 18th and 19th centuries corruption was high, the place was filthy and disease was common, (The 19th century New York and London are prominent examples.) just as a lot of areas in Africa are now. So perhaps Africa will (one day soon, hopefully) pass onto the next stage, that is, the level of development Britain and America are in now. It's just a theory, but one I have hope for.

The ANC has strong ties to the South African Communist Party and according to Julius Malema and other sources are thinking about nationalizing the mines. My Indian teacher explains how that has failed in all countries that have tried it before. We use OBE which is often criticized for the money being spent - we're not a rich country. Now, that's just one perspective and I really don't have good sources. I will try and expose myself to more objective sources but it can't be denied, being a multiracial society doesn't mean there are no problems.

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http://www.anc.org.za/