AFRICA AFLAME

Most recently, during the American President's 'historic'  visit to the continent, while speaking at the entrepreneurs' summit in Kenya, he described Africa as "one of the fastest growing continents". I paused, replayed, and took a think-pill. If Africa is one of the fastest growing continent, this is in comparison to which continent and in what terms? Economy? Education? Infrastructure? Human development? Technology? Science? Food? Leadership?

It is quite a shame that the pilots at the helm of affairs in the continent have totally refuse to see beyond their noses over a long period of time. And the youths seems less concerned or distracted with quick success.‎‎ Every other people either have or are getting their acts together taking their spaces amongst the high table of the world, from America to Asia to Europe to Australia.... But, my Africa still sleeps. Given what we have, where we are is a mere joke far off from any form of starting point.

Our minds and lands have been played with by foreigners when they had control of it, we have taken control of both, now we do not only play with it, we invite them to join in the play.

The earlier we wake up to the fact that we did not only inherit this land from our forebears but also borrowed it from our 'after-bears', the better we will work to preserve it.

The term 'Africanist' which I define to be an advocate for or enthusiast of  Africa and Africans affairs (paraphrased). This describes me and this shows my love for Africa and it's people.‎ And Here is  a wake up piece for Africa;

There's a fire burning in Africa
We have taken front row seats to watch the beauty of its flames.
While we wave off smoke with feeble hands,feathery eyelids fall,
As we seem to enjoy the heat thereof.

Our home is aflame, oh Africa!
Our culture burns, our values turns...
Our customs wail, our tradition fades...
Our hearts grow weak, our mouths go dumb!

We have many waters but our tanks are empty
Why do we seek to quench this wild fire with tears?
We have many fighters but their hearts are dirty
Why do we seek to quench this big fire with words?

Our home is not the same, oh Africa!
Our education dies, our children perishes...
Our economy suffers, our health plunders...
Our population soars, our hunger roars!

You run to them for water, they hand you fuel
Your ruin, their joy
Your pain, their reign
Your helter-skelter, their gentle waltz

Listen not to their evil voices, oh Africa!
Fatten not their pockets,
Lessen the bellies of your sick children,
Hasten to put out the fire that consumes your home,
Lesson learned, build ye strong domes!

I am about positive change!
I am PBAC!‎