AFRICA - THE BRIGHT CONTINENT

AFRICA- THE BRIGHT CONTINENT

IN POPULAR WESTERN PERCEPTION, AFRICA IS OFTEN DUBBED AS “THE DARK CONTINENT”. BUT IF WE GO A STEP FURTHER AND ANALYSE THE SITUATION IN ITS ENTIRETY, THE FUTURE PROSPECTS INCLUDED, WE COME TO A PREMISE WHICH IS FAR FROM THIS STEREOTYPED ADJECTIVE.

The African Continent tests the limit of human comprehension. Geographically diverse, ethnically varied, ecologically rich and physically vast, this land mass presents a status of uniqueness, which no other continent or part of Earth can boast of.

What is more appealing is the fact that with all its diversity and richness, Africa is a monolith. Across its various regions, cultures and geographies, there is a thread of commonality which binds all of them together in a loose but defining link. Unlike Asia, Africa is structurally homogeneous. It is this ‘common feel’ of ‘An African-ness’ which provides unity in diversity, a factor which is important for the integration of the continent.

Even though Anthropologists consider it as a cradle of the present hominoids, the Homo Sapiens (The Human Beings), Africa’s past and history are covered with inglory. Africa has been exploited by the western countries since centuries and the first thing which comes to over minds when we see a Negro In a historical perspective is slavery and the worst form of racial exploitation. It is often perceived that Africa is the first home of savage and African (Negro) personifies the lowest status of human civilization.

The present can’t be abruptly discontinuous with the past and so is true for Africa as well. Its long history of tribalism, feudalism, lack of civilization and its eventual exploitation by the influential powers continues to influence its present. Africa today is the poorest, the most corrupt, lawless and most backward of all the regions in the world, where development is yet to begin seriously, modern human values have still to take roots. In short the continent is yet to come out of its past sloth, wildness and tribalism.

But all that is reading the book from only a single side. The spirit of human being is indomitable. He fights the situation and is never vanquished. In Africa too we find changes taking place. Africa is now divided into modern nation states which have enlightened constitutions and development is finally happening, albeit too late, too slow. Africa cannot be an island unto itself. The sweeping changes which are taking place around the world are making influence here as well. Even though the African economy remains in doldrums, but there is comparative improvement in the overall political culture of the continent. Tribe and clan are slowly and gradually being replaced by nation as the foremost collective identity of the people. Ethos and values are being instilled and an intellectual class have developed who are being instrumental in guiding this change.

However the most heartening and encouraging feature of the present day Africa is the birth and slow but gradual rise of Pan African Nationalism. Africans, particularly the Negros, are now increasingly thinking as one people and one civilization. The replacement of erstwhile OAU (Organisation of African Unity) with the radical African Union is a point in case which justifies this.

African Union which is formed on the model of European Union dreams to integrate socially, economically and eventually politically the African people. The popularity of this movement is growing day by day and it is being fervently supported by the intellectuals and the enlightened class. This is a revolution in the life of Africa, even if it is, at present, on a conceptual level. The Pan African Nationalism will eventually wipe out all the narrow minded tendencies and make nation state the most important. The Pan Africanist movement will catalyse big social and economic changes in the African continent. For the first time in human history, Africa will present itself as a unified civilization and it will be a force which no one can over look and ignore.

Great impetus is being provided in this direction by the huge African Diaspora at least 10 crore in number, which is spread throughout the world, with huge concentrations in the US, Brazil etc. The emergence of South Africa as a fast developing nation is testimony to this fact. The potential of Africa is huge, its population is galloping and is expected to be 200 crores by the year 2100 A.D. This will make it a huge market. Infact the 21st century won’t be merely an Asian century, will belong to Africa as well.

Africa symbolizes huge untapped potential of a section of humanity. It is a reservoir of natural wealth, the richest continent in minerals. Its strategic location, relative closeness to

Europe, Asia and the America’s make it almost the centre of the earth. Unlike Europe, none of the parts of Africa are extremely cold or completely inhospitable. The assets of Africa are its growing markets, richness in natural wealth, strategic location, a people who are strong and sturdy and hard working, the advantage of demographic youthfulness, the yet underdeveloped status of its economy which provides for scope of large scale growth.

In the light of these advantages it is clearly seen, that the African will sooner or later overcome his historical disadvantage and will rise like a hero. The cohesion will be provided by the nascent Pan African Nationalism, this will help the continent immensely in economy, and it is possible that a political union may also come on the scene. We can say, in a nutshell, that this land which produces maximum gold and diamonds has a silver lining and the prospects of its future are bright if not brilliant.

----------------------------------------------------------xxx-----------------------------------------------