Opinions of Sunday, 20 November 2016

Columnist: Bio, Richmond Kaleo

Bred in the Ghetto

File photo File photo

Our living conditions haven't been the best. Among our peers across the globe, we are looked down upon. Perhaps, we should accept that, it is our destiny.

The civilization of humanity traces its origin to the shores of our continent yet we are lagging behind. Our real contribution to modern day enlightenment at best can be described as negligible. We consume and that is the only thing presumably we are better known of.

From north to far east, across the west to the south with similar climatic conditions, our distinct feature of dependency and deprivation is printed in gold. The gold dust from our soil which our ancestors knew nothing of its value hence exchanged it for salt and liquor is what have been used to write our story.

Luckily, when the founding fathers of our new found love of a free continent walked in the chilled weather of the asphated streets of the Western World, they saw the beauty. They bought into the new idea of pan-african concept that hanged on the capability of our own self in opening such an opportunity for us all. Ever since, we have tried but struggled not only to sustain the momentum of self realisation but wane ourselves from poverty and dependency.

We source for everything finished from outside our shore yet we yearn for jobs. Our taste for foreign products and services are not only limited to the masses but to the extent that our leaders most often than not have opted to school their kids outside.

Across the universities around the planet, our monies have been stolen and are being used to educate their offsprings. Simple programs which with little push could be enhanced here to the benefit of us all are being persuaded by these fortunate few.

From generation to generation, our story has not changed much. The proponents of a free Africa continent had a hidden motive similar to that of the colonial masters which has transcended to the present crop of leadership. To continue the agenda of wealth discrimination without alarmingly raising eyebrows. Thus, to continue the looting so as to cater for themselves, friends and families.

Those who knows and can raise their voices are bought into submission. The white supremacists are well aware of this but hardly will they condemn it. Sparingly, building a road here, a school there, a hospital here and there has been their secret weapon to blindfold some of us.

To them, we deserve not the asphated communities, the decent accomodation, the cars, the good schools, the all year round utilities supply and the other goodies which comes with civilization and which initially ignited our desire to fight for self rule. We merit not have access to good medical care, a well paid job or better still a decent living conditions.

To them, we were born in the ghettos and the ghettos we shall remain. Press by the new appetite for accountability to explain their abysmal performances, they keep on repeating the same old story. The struggle for economic emancipation is long than anticipated and, they need to be given more time. A reason which is not only well articulated but comprehended. After all, most of us have been preached to accept our situation as divine. The few who begs to compare our sad story to the Asia tigers are attacked by babies with shape teeth.

It's clear the figures are not matching the so called massive investment fuelled by loans. Standard of living is deteriorating yet the white supremacists supported by their institutions keeps on clapping for them. After all, their pre-independence agenda must be held firmly. Africa must continue to be the source of raw material, be it natural resources or labour to feed their ever increasing greed.

As said, global institutions such as IMF, World Bank and others were disguisely created to protect this goal. They are ready to hurry to their cause without pausing to ask questions. After all, the white supremacists have money to throw into these institutions which will yield them not only dividends but ensures, the destiny of Africa is perpetually tied to their whims and caprices.