You know the more technological that cultures get…the more you start to lose old cultures…and it isn’t simply about nostalgia. we have so much to learn from the old cultures.

but, much as I hate to admit it, change will always happen, and as the world ‘technifies’ ‘develops’ (whatever you want to call it) the question is how do you make change but consciously take the best knowledge of the old cultures with you forward into the future.

If it wasnt for the fact that you were there, i wouldn’t be reading your blog now, and discovering a whole new world of non-western blogging, and being able to get the inside perspective, for once.

As for the ‘does africa need help’ question ? Sure, Africa needs help, so does India, Middle East, Eastern Europe. There are a lot of places in this blue green marble that need help.

The thing that frustrated me about the debate - because it didn’t seem to be addressed, and worries me about the ‘Help’ the ‘developed’ world gives, whether by Aid, or spreading democracy…or whatever - is that there is way too often an inherant neo-colonial paternalistic flavour to the help.

‘We’ll help you to become like us’…..pretty much that is the flavour, and i’m sorry, but unless you want us to all boil down and come up Euro/American……

There has to be another way?

I’m from the so called ‘developed world’ and I really want to know…how do you ‘help’ without being paternalistic, or neo-colonial?? How? It can be done, I know it, but what is the right way???

And did Bono ever ask the question - how do you want me to help you??

The bigger questions is, does Africa need help? I have always promoted both through our magazine and in my discussion with anyone who matters, the idea that is a culture of trade and investment that will turn African countries around.

Finally, would it be asking too much that we realise every country is different? The notion that there exists an entity called ‘Africa’ is so beloved of the global press and seems to me an essential part of the presentation of black people as helpless and needy of foreign assistance.

Did you notice for example that West Africans seem to have no conception whatsoever of the effect of a settler population on a country? This explains their lack of sympathy for Zimbabwe’s predicament, even as Southern African countries take a less strident stand.

But we are having the dialog and working on creating those vehicles. With all the work Africans are putting at solving such problems, I believe it is only a matter o f time before we get there.

Category one:
The billionaires: If Isee a Bill Gates or a George Soros talking about Africa, I’ll stop and listen, mainly because I know they can make a real difference with their money. Another example in this group would be the new Indian billionaires - people do listen to them when they talk about their home countries. So, until Africa starts producing legally made billionaires, don’t expect the west to take any of them seriously; Money talks.

Category two:
High ranking government officials. For example, Lee Kwan Yeuw, the former PM of Singapore - when he speaks, people listen to him. Also, finance ministers of important countries like China and India - they tend to get prime seats at these panels. If I see the finance minister of Burkina Faso, will I listen to him? probably not; South Africa is a different case - people will listen to Trevor Manuel. Again, unfortunately, for Africa, they are just not that many leaders who’ve done an inspiring job. I have yet to see Kagame appear on one of these panels, but he’d make a fascinating guest and more western media outlets should contact him. I can’t think of anyone else in Africa who’d carry the same cache as Kagame.

Category Three;
The practical activists - people like Wangari Maathai or Muhammed Yunnis the founder of Grameen Bank; Lately, the founder of Equity Bank has been getting international attention for what his doing with the banking sector in kenya.

I honestly don’t know anyone who is listening to Jeffrey Sachs or even taking him seriously. :roll:He doesn’t fit into any of the above 3 categories.

http://www.Kenyanentrepreneur.com

Grr. On your behalf. You should be outraged. I am.

The truth is, things will never change as long as we remain dependent on their aid. Unfortunately, with corruption and all the other political shenanigans that are the norm in African politics, the viscious cycle will continue. None of this is rocket science, yet our dependence onYT’s cash/voices/pithy commentaries will never end and in accepting all this aid, we are essentially accepting their interference and speculative ideals on “what’s right/what the Africans need”.

Regarding Bono’s Gap “Red” campaign: The thing was a flop because the crap they were shilling out to the masses was just that: overpriced crap! Americans are the ultimate consumers, and what drives Americans to part with their cash is the perception of “getting a good deal”. Trying to sell leather strings with a red bead (aka a $30-40 dollar bracelet), in the name of “Saving the poor Africans” is just not enough. That stuff was overpriced, and, as displayed next to the other crap at the Gap (Made in China) at a fraction of the cost, “Red” was never, ever going to sell (although I did end up snagging a lovely “Red” dress on sale for $20…so I did my part).

That is all. I have nothing constructive to add.

My point, I think general ambivalence about ‘expert’ talk shops is drowning out their relevance when it comes to Africa. I take smug satisfaction in that, folks who are interested are doing things not talking , and the results are spreading the word……….

What we want are solutions to our problems that respect the dignity and worth of Africans. From the history of aid in Africa, we are always tugged into indebtedness one way, then another. When will we gather ourselves and say ‘no more shackles’ ? Are these laptops given out free and clear, and is this clear to the OLPC country recipients?