The outspoken legislator Mr. Johannes Kahrs –SPD, who is a federal member of parliament and also the district chairman of the SPD in Hamburg-Mitte, paid a working visit to TopAfric Media Network. Mr. Kahrs spoke at length on Integration, Politics and the just ended Elections held in Hamburg. He challenged Africans in Germany to be politically active.

Who is a Foreigner:

In Hamburg about 60% of the pupils have migrant backgrounds, so who is a foreigner he quizzed. He went on to say, “I was born and bred in Bremen and today I am a member of parliament”. So what of you who is born here in Hamburg? You must be diligent, hard working and determined to succeed.

Join political parties at tender Ages:

He challenged the youth to join political parties at tender ages. It shall prepare them. It will mature them to become good politicians and know all the people that matter the most by the time they grow.

Migration:

On the question of African students going outside to study mostly after their secondary education, “this is a bad practice” he said, It is easier to make acquaintances where one grows and establish contacts for the future in terms of job seeking. Going outside to sturdy a year or so is ok, as it broadens ones scope of knowledge.

The saddest aspect is that it renders a community quantitative, if future leaders re-migrate, every community needs its best material to be competitive.

Youth Participation:

Though he found the yearly prestigious African Youth Education Award extremely good, he challenged the organizers to do more, the youth particularly school going kids were not well represented. Africans must learn to avoid duplications, learn to work with existing institutions, work with one another!

Elections and Voting:

The seasonal politician who was very instrumental and championing the involvement of Africans in the day to day politics of Hamburg, could not hide his disappointment about the lukewarm attitude towards elections and voting. They don't exercise their voting rights nor know how to vote entirely.

The community leaders, especially the media must be used effectively in educating the masses on voting strategies and techniques.

Unity & Political Participation:

A minority can only succeed in foreign land only if they put their numbers together. Building splinter groups here and there shall only aggravate your sorrows, join the political parties, fight your way to top, you can only influence from within.

At the meeting to welcome Johannes Kahrs was Teddy Ligani an opinion leader in the African community in Hamburg.