ExodusMagMay2020

Why am I an African drinking
Chinese tea?
Africa’s natural resources. We need to take notice that
now the world has changed drastically. There are other
opportunities in other areas that we might be losing
sight of. For example, there are Silicon Valley
companies that are worth more than some of the
biggest mining companies in the world and even some
African countries' economies. There are companies
that have less than 5 or so years of operations but are
already worth billions of US dollars. When we speak of
untapped natural resources of Africa, the human
resource is the biggest untapped talent. Hence the talk
of knowledge systems, ideas and concepts. Africa is
well positioned to introduce unique ideas that cannot
come out of anywhere else except Africa.
In advancing our knowledge systems, ideas and
concepts we should adopt them for use by the rest of
the world, thereby creating value and opportunities for
Africa. For example, the extended family welfare
system that has sustained Africa for centuries can be
institutionalised into a structured concept and
adopted for the rest of the world for value. The
modern western society that we are now trying to
replicate here in Africa does not recognise and is not
familiar with this dynamic. The reverse is true for
existing western knowledge systems that are needed
in Africa. Opportunities lie in adapting these systems
to suit the African market. We are the custodians of
African knowledge, ideas and concepts, we need to
learn to utilise them to benefit our society.
Yes, it has been agreed, the injustices need redress,
but let us not lose some of the greatest opportunities
we have by just focusing in one area of empowerment
without getting a full grasp of the 'struggle'.
Our thinking needs to change, let us look at ourselves
using a different lens. Africa is bombarded with
western and eastern systems, solutions and products
whilst we as Africans watch. We are the consumers of
these services and products, yet we have a choice of
where to spend our hard earned money. If we make an
effort to be conscious of what we buy and from whom
we buy, our society can truly be transformed. We need
to create our own products and services, for
consumption by our own people.
Our governments are reaching out to foreign
investors for investment into our economies, and
these so called investors are taking charge of vital
components of our economies, which in my opinion
would be difficult to recover, if we as Africans do not
get up a play an active role in our own economies.
It has been said before, one does not need money to
start a business. One needs a good idea and a good
strategy, the rest will fall into place. Let us pitch our
governments and local companies on local indigenous
knowledge and products and you will see how we will
change our fortunes as a people and transform our
beloved continent.
28 | EQUIPPING OF THE SAINTS exoduscm | may 2020