Changing Africa

LISBON TAWANDA CHIGWENJERE

There is hope for Africa

For a long time, the African continent has been described as the permanent residence of poverty and underdevelopment. For a long time, it has been described as the home of conflict, corruption, and mismanagement. For a long time, the African continent has been labelled the “Third World”.

We have been associated with backwardness and eternal stagnation. We have been labelled slothful and barbaric. But the question is, “is this what we really are?” The answer is unequivocally NO!

The problem in Africa is the problem of ignorance and apathy, especially among the youth. Young people in Africa are not political enough. They do not seek truth, liberty, or justice. They do not bring their leaders to account. They ignore the challenges bedeviling their communities. They hear about conflict and war, but it does not move them.

They hear about epidemics and pandemics, but it does not move them. They hear about famine and hunger, but it does not move them. They hear about all of these things, but none of them moves them! They do not ask themselves, “What can I do to solve these problems?” They are not stirred to take action, so the problems grow bigger.

However, no matter how big our continental problems have become, we will be able to surmount them. I know of a little boy called David, who killed a giant with just a sling and a stone. This means that even a small person in Africa can be able to solve the challenges that we are facing today - even if their proposed solution seems too small and insignificant.

It also shows us that we do not need much in order to change our continent, but that which is available - “a sling and a stone”. I also know of a young man called Joseph, who saved Egypt and the whole world from famine. This means that even a young person in Africa can be able to end hunger in all its forms everywhere.

I know of a young woman called Esther, who saved the Israelites from annihilation. This means that even a young woman in Africa can be able to promote peace on the continent. There are young people in our time, who are changing the world with amazing solutions and witty inventions, but time would fail me to tell of their exploits.

I have profound conviction that today’s young Africans are the ones who will set in motion the rise of our continent. They are the generation that will end poverty in all its forms everywhere. They are the generation that will promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth. They are the generation that will promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. They will promote peace in Africa.

Our young people should not respect the status quo. They should renew their minds in order to transform their lives and societies. They should educate themselves. They should decolonize their minds. They should rise from their mental wheelchairs. They should rise from their financial wheelchairs.

They should rise from their material wheelchairs. The reason why our continent is destroyed is because of lack of knowledge. Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Education is our solution. However, in our bid to transform our continent (and the world at large) we should not forget that big things start small. An African proverb says, “Many small people, in many small places, doing many small things, can alter the face of the world.”

Let us start by solving the smallest challenges next to us. Let us feed a hungry soul. Let us clean a single street. Let us clothe a single child. Let us provide a single textbook to a single learner. Let us stop a small fight. Let us heal a small wound.

If we are faithful in little things, we will be faithful in much. That is how we will change Africa!


Lisbon Tawanda Chigwenjere is a student of Politics and Public Management at the Midlands State University, in Zimbabwe. He is a former intern at the Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT)