Only 3 systems can work in Africa, Apartheid, Colonialism & Genocide.?

Question

South Africa is the biggest economy.
Since independence EVERY African country has gone downhill.
Rwanda is putting itself back together better than many of its neighbours.

Answer 1

Apartheid and colonialism...
Do you mean rule by the 'whites' or rule by a minority in general. Because if it's the latter it's already happening and as you can see the results are not fantastic; so I guess you mean the former.

Colonialism achieved in creating the present structure in Africa while creating a flow of resources out of the continent, whether it be labour (as slaves) or resources. Once it wasn't politically possible to maintain colonialism, a new local elite schooled and in the image of the past colonial masters was groomed and continue the work, while enriching themselves. Apartheid is similar. I remember seeing an interview of a South African who said all that changed was replacing a white master by a black one. This is extreme but not that far from the truth.

Colonialism/Apartheid resulted in the concentration of resources and education in the few. This will take time to erode if erode it will.

Genocide is getting rid of a section of the people based on ethnic grounds. Given the way the continent of Africa was ruthlessly partitioned by the colonial powers, drawing lines on a map irrespective of tribes and the existing relationships. Minorities are created. Furthermore, the creation of the local elites took advantage of this ethnic mix to divide and rule. This continues till today with tribal allegiances being used for perpetuation of concentration of power; genocide is an extreme expression of this.

Think of Africa before colonialism. Think of the great Egypt, Nubians...

I think that a lot of Africa's ills, including Genocide, have some roots in Colonialism/Apartheid. However, blaming the past will not help; what Africa needs is basic infrastructure such as sanitation, education, and time.

Some countries have started along that path earlier than others and are reaping the fruits, like Egypt, Mauritius... although, like all economies in the world, they have their own challenges.

Answer 2

I'm horrified by your question ..... i don't know whether you are making such a bold statement for effect or if you honestly believe that. How can you possibly think that any system that discriminates against another that butchers people black or white can possibly be a "working" system? Or are you perhaps suggesting that it "works" if it's happening to any race, any colour, any religious belief, etc other than the one you believe is the right one?

I have experienced Apartheid and Colonialism first hand and i hope i never ever will witness Genocide and i can tell you the so called systems DO NOT WORK. It's all very well to talk boldly and make statements in theory. I suggest you speak to people who have been on the receiving end of those "systems", have lost loved ones through Genocide, Apartheid and Colonialism and then tell me how well the systems work..

Answer 3

Africa is 'fighting tooth and toenail', as American Indians used to do, to return to the precolonial days. Unfortunately, there are introductions of ideas that spoil the old recipe--which as modern-day medevilists discover when looking at centuries old recipies which include offal (guts and things we would today discard without question, care for humble pie, real stuff, anyone?).

We can't call Christianity the original infection, because some of the earliest Christians were from Africa (Alexandria mostly, but Ethiopia also developed early). Then too, the other dominant "foreign" religion was Islam. Neither of those two are going to disappear anytime soon. Christianity is commonly adaptive to any government, so it isn't really the problem.

Islam, however, savagely maintains a need for strong-man control, which is akin to the tribal leadership model--strong man control. But the African tribal power model is based on families and family status. Those bubbling to the top rule and then rule absolutely.

African rule does not make for gentle niceities that we Westerners are accustomed to. African rule is mercurial, as the moods of the leaders move. Ownership can be as inviolate as great mountains or as flimsy as a leaf in the wind. These are not the things that modern economies tolerate well.

If the goal is old families of power placing their important men of power into power and ruling as the ancients did, then they are well on their way to that goal in several (but not all) parts of Africa. If the goal is turning Africa into an economic powerhouse such as is found in parts of Europe, Asia, and the Americas--as a whole, Africa isn't even looking that way. That would be our goal, not theirs (albeit, there are many in Africa that would want to). Democracy is a tool of convenience, when it is convenient, to affirm to the world that their head man is their head man. Western economies are a tool of convenience to get their head man the trappings of wealth and power their head man expects for being a head man. He then doles out his largesse to his family, and his extended family extends through the nation, though does not include all of the nation. Zimbabwe, Zaire (Congo or whatever they are calling it today), and Central African Republic are classic current examples. Uganda and even Nigeria (especially post-Biafra) have been examples of fairly recent past.

Answer 4

That is the harshest statement I have read in a very long time. Colonialism is a fair point. But you are asking the world whether or not apartheid and genocide are good ways to manage the problems of an entire continent never mind country. Are you completely crazy or just very stupid? I really find it difficult to comprehend how you thought of this in your head and then proceeded to post it.

Answer 5

You sound as if you have never been to Africa! I work in Africa in the oil industry and every time I go I see improvements in health, education, infrastructure etc. There is a major problem with corruption within their political systems but this will improve given time (just like the UK and US!) - money is pouring into the countries but unfortunately its still held by a minority. They need independence, education and the formation of solid trade alliances with the richer countries.

Answer 6

Wow. No, I strongly disagree.

All that is needed for success in Africa is a free market and the opportunity for people to pursue their needs in peace and without fear of abuse. It will also take patience, as no economy can develop from nothing to full development overnight.

Answer 7

????????????????????????????????????????????????