The Two Major Likeness Among Africans

 

Written by Fred Farai Nyakudanga

1. Lack of Future Orientation

Whether rich or poor, Africans often prioritize short-term gains over long-term planning and investment. The wealthy may appear organized, but beneath the surface, their mindset is not vastly different from that of their impoverished counterparts. In Africa, power is often the distinguishing factor between the rich and the poor, but it’s typically political power rather than intellectual power. Political power is fleeting, while intellectual power endures.

Interestingly, many African revolutionaries were trained in European territories. This has led me to believe that Europeans instilled in Africans a culture that prioritizes political power over intellectual empowerment. As a result, Africans often perceive themselves as oppressed politically, while neglecting the fact that they possess intellectual freedom.

2. Disregard of Community Upliftment

The focus on individual success and family interests, neglecting collective progress and community development, is prevalent across Africa. The culture that Africans are failing to note or root out is that we are oppressed. The effort to gain political power against people who are busy manufacturing products that we use in our day-to-day lives is appalling. The real fight that can advance our community is to reciprocate the manufacturing that Europeans are doing while hiring labor from all over the world. Production is the genuine war of the world.

If you observe the fight between plants, it’s nothing else but who produces the best and feeds people, and in the same vein, spreads seeds all over the place. The reason why plants are attractive is for you to pick them away from their mother so that they establish themselves in their own territory. Intellectual power promotes community development because everyone will play a part in the production of goods. Unlike political power, no one wants to share power for fear of being stripped. When you need to produce high, you shall demand labor, you shall also outsource from competitors to meet demand and lead times.

Conclusion

The two major likeness among Africans – lack of future orientation and disregard of community upliftment – have far-reaching consequences that hinder the continent’s progress.

The effects of these likeness are multifaceted:

- Underdevelopment: The lack of future orientation leads to inadequate planning, resulting in underdeveloped infrastructure, economies, and societies.

- Poverty and Inequality: The focus on individual success and family interests exacerbates poverty and inequality, as those who are already privileged accumulate more wealth and power.

- Brain Drain: The lack of opportunities and resources drives talented Africans to seek opportunities abroad, depriving their home countries of much-needed skills and expertise.

- Dependence on Foreign Aid: The disregard for community upliftment and production leads to a reliance on foreign aid, undermining Africa’s autonomy and self-sufficiency.

It’s time for Africans to recognize and challenge these likeness, embracing a new mindset that prioritizes future orientation, community upliftment, and collective progress.

By doing so, Africans can unlock their full potential, drive sustainable development, and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.