The Problem with Africa

I think one of the things that has always hindered African success, is Africa’s lack of self belief, underestimating her own contribution. Hundreds of years ago, Lobengula signed away thousands of acres of land to the colonialists in exchange for sugar. Not a fair exchange. For an illiterate king, he had no real concept of what he was signing away.

While such blatant manipulation is not going on anymore, African goods, labour, resources and lives continue to be widely undervalued. Until Africans realise their own true value, this sad state of affairs will continue. However, African leaders and nationals continue to place a higher value on western goods and commodities, paying a premium for these so called luxuries.

African’s pay a premium to get a degree in western countries (International fees), visas are required to travel to Europe, the Americas and Asia. Immigration laws, controlling the flow of Africans, making it hard for Africans to work abroad. Not that Africans should want to. It just seems a bit bizarre that we live in a world that would rather give handouts than ease access to education, well paid jobs. But of course, getting a job in Africa is considered an act of kindness.

Anyway, I have digressed. Africa has a lot to offer. Mineral resources. Land. Rain forests. Wildlife. The Egyptian pyramids. Victoria Falls. Mount Kilimanjaro.

Until Africa is ready to stand up and demand a fair price for what she has to offer, she will continue to play the role of the underdog!

Man made the car…

Man made the car,

So he could travel.

Man made boats and ships,

So he could cross the seas.

Man made the plane,

So he could get there faster.

Why then does the world insist on hating migrants?

Surely, it’s a natural result of man’s instinct to explore?

The world is in a state of flux,

We are destined to mix.

Segregation and separation are a thing of the past.

Demonisation of migrants and xenophobia should be too.

Makomborero

Quite often, Africa is portrayed as a community that is incapable of helping itself. In order to fight this stereotype, we will be featuring organisations and individuals that are developing Africa from within.

One such organisation is Makomborero. Makomborero is a Zimbabwe based charity that helps talented students, who might otherwise be forced to give up their studies due to financial hardship, to complete their education. They have assisted many students to complete their high school education and make it into Universities and Colleges (some with full scholarships).

To find out more about Makomborero, check out their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/MakomboreroZimbabwe?fref=ts

Or check out their website:
http://www.makomborero.info/

The value of a human life

So how do we decide what a human life is worth? Let’s do a little exercise. I’ll tell you some things about me and you can sit in judgement.

I’m a married middle aged British woman born into a wealthy family. I have an Oxford degree and a doctorate. I’m well travelled and I have a very good well paying job. Based on this limited information, how would you rate me as a person? Would you feel comfortable conversing with me?

So what if I told you that I am a black woman. I’m still a British woman, but I’m black. Does that change your opinion of me at all? I wasn’t born British. I was born in Zimbabwe. That makes me an immigrant. And all that family wealth I mentioned earlier, it’s in Zimbabwe. Does that affect your opinion of me? If it does, why? You don’t have to share your thoughts, but let’s just think about it for a minute.

Oh, and I have just one degree, no doctorate. And I didn’t get it from Oxford. I studied at Bradford. I can hear your opinion of me falling further. Remember these are not lies. We are just doing a little exercise to understand what it is that makes us respect someone.

I used to have a very good well paying job. Up until a couple of weeks ago. It didn’t work out so I left. Had been there for 8 years and was in a very senior management position. But now, I’m in a low paying temporary job. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I have more time for myself and my family. But I bet I don’t command as much respect as a human being.

Oh, and I’m not married. I’m a single mother.

A young person died today, who did not need to die. That’s…heartbreaking. It was an African child. That’s…a story we’ve heard far too many times, we just don’t care anymore. They died of hunger. That’s…not your problem?

Is this really how we value human lives. Nationality. Education. What job you do? Family background?

Is one human life worth more than another? Of the two women described above, would you value or respect one more than the other?

Inner Warrior

I’m not trying to be pretty, 

I’m not trying to fit in, 

I’m not trying to follow the latest trend. 

Because I’m not like everyone else. 

I’m different. 

I’m an individual. 

I have my own wars to fight. 

My self-love to find. 

I’m just trying to be me, 

The best way I know how. 

Expatriate or Immigrant

What is the difference between an expatriate and an immigrant?

Expatriate: a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than that of citizenship.

Immigrant: person who moves to another country, usually for permanent residence.

Why does one have more negative connotations than the other?

Sustainable development for Africa

The best thing about Africa still going through the development phase, is that there still exists an opportunty to do certain things differently. Infrastructural, agricultural and energy developments for example, can happen without using up natural resources, or contaminating air, land and water. With much of the developed world’s natural resources depleted, future generations may need to look to Africa.

Africa’s Child

Africa’s child is full of hope
Full of love,
Full of dreams!

Her potential remains unfulfilled,
Her opinions undervalued.
Her land is rich, with minerals as yet unexplored,
Vast lands, yet to be developed!
Flora and fauna both flourish.

Yet Africa’s child is considered the poorest in the world.
Shelter, food, education and medication remain scarce!

What must happen to unleash the potential that is Africa and her child?

It’s time to make a change…

I’ve grown tired of Africa being seen as a poor helpless victim. Africa, fondly referred to as the Motherland by it’s inhabitants, is not the derelict wasteland portrayed in the media. It has a bounty of under-utilised resources, unreported innovation and some of the most joyous people I’ve encountered.

Africa’s success stories are widely unreported. Instead, Africa is painted as an impoverished… continent, riddled with disease and inhabited by hopeless victims. This type of negative media has a negative impact on tourism and potential investment.

In reality, there are certain countries dealing with war, disease and extreme poverty. But there are also strong emerging economies, budding innovative scientists and some of the worlds most beautiful natural features. This page will seek to highlight the successes, joys and untold potential of Africa.

 

Achieving Academic Excellence in Africa

They say education is the key to success, therefore it is somewhat fitting that our first feature in the spirit of celebrating success, will be on International entrepreneur Ian Robert Henney, the founder and Executive Chairman of Borrowdal…e Brooke Academy (and its subsidiaries). The group has over 80 employees.

Born in July 1970, Ian is an extraordinarily dynamic, self-made businessman. His passion for education led him to explore and open schools in Zimbabwe. His success has been driven by his need to champion the development of education, throughout Zimbabwe, creating opportunities for his students to study in top universities in Europe and around the world.

Ian’s breakthrough came in 2000, when he established his first major endeavour in the United Kingdom, where he founded DTH College. His strategy was to position the quality of the education system delivered to a far higher standard than that of competitors, which allowed him to take the lead in a specialised and highly competitive market. Within 10 years his tenecity was rewarded when he moved to Zimbabwe and opened one of the most modern and prestigious Private schools, Borrowdale Brooke Academy which currently has an enrolment of 340 students.

With a combined asset value in excess of US$10 million, the Borrowdale Brooke Academy Group of businesses have grown over the past 13 years into a major international company with the Executive Chairman Mr Henney taking a hands-on approach and working relentlessly at the helm.

In 2013 Borrowdale Brooke Academy was listed as THE best school in Zimbabwe, with students achieving a 100% success rate in the 2012 Cambridge ‘O’ and ‘A’ level exams.

Mr Henney, a Bachelor of Science and Masters in Business Administration graduate is also founder, chairman and sole patron of the Ian Henney Foundation. With less than 1 year of the foundation’s existence, the organization has managed to pay tuition fees for over 50 students through various organizations and charities. A passionate philanthropist, he is special Envoy for Education Tolerance and Cultures in Zimbabwe. See More

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