Africa, it is time for a reset, By Valentine Waturuocha

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It can be argued that the beginning of finding a solution to any problem is by first identifying clearly

and unequivocally stating or recognising the problem.

So, like they say a drunk or drug addict will first have to accept and admit their addiction before any

realistic steps can be taken to wean them.

So, we begin, shall we?

–  Ineffective, misguided, unintelligent & corrupt leadership that is certainly not visionary. It is a

no brainer  and I am sure now widely recognised that we need to as an electorate only elect our

“first eleven  team”  rather than the mediocre leadership we seem to elect in most African  countries.

–  Our focus on only individual achievement vs working together (the way Indians particularly

and other Asian’s  have proved globally that when you work together  and propel each other

the results achieved are remarkable.)  It is not a fluke that several of the CEO’s or the Executive

leadership of some of the world’s most successful companies on the planet are first generation

Indians, it is a well-articulated and executed plan.

–  Our  inability  to  think  long  term,  in  terms  of  development  of  infrastructure  for  both  our

present and future generations has created very self-centred and a short-term way of thinking

that needs to change.

–  We worship wealth regardless of its source, when we should instead worship remarkable deeds.

We should recognise and show admiration for individuals in our society who carry out genuine,

sincere remarkable deeds to improve the life of others and change our society for the better.

–  We  must  now  recognise  and  acknowledge  that  regardless  of  all  our  intellect,  individual

achievements which is comparable to other emerging and developing nations we will do a lot

better working together.

–  The  same  background  that  makes  us  unique:   our  ambition,  competitiveness,  drive,

resilience, the need to achieve individually  are unfortunately the same traits that is now undermining  our  ability  to  work  together.  African  countries  can  take  their  rightful  place alongside emerging economies such as India and Pakistan to mention a few  if this trend can change.

–  Recognising  that it is a duty, it is mandatory, that the elite, educated, wealthy class must use

their knowledge, experience, wealth, influence, connections  sincerely and genuinely to alleviate

the circumstance or conditions of their fellow country men and women.

–  The lack of opportunity, poverty, lack of healthcare, lack of  infrastructure,  the inequality in

our society is resulting in huge numbers of our young people seeking greener pastures in other

countries in the process enabled  –  the re-emergence of modern day  slavery  and dangerous

travel conditions.

Why am I writing this?

Because I am of African Heritage,

Because I care as we all should,

Because I want more for my people, my country, my continent,

Because  I recognise  as I am sure most of us do  that we  must all continue to highlight these short

comings individually, collectively to become better as a society, as nations, as a continent….

I am guided by the fact that  “one must breathe and be the change that they seek in the world,

so that when they change and the next person changes, then things will change”

Waturuocha , is an Australia based  Software Engineer and an IT  Business Leader

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