The Race for Africa's Capital City
It has become increasingly clear to me that we are involved in a race
for prominence in greater Africa. Top contenders are Egypt, Libya, South
Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Ethiopia (given the location
of the Africa Union HQ). While some are on top of the list for Africa,
others are more content establishing themselves as regional blocks.
The force of finance and the power of capitalism are possible influences
given the size of some of our markets. And therefore the long march to
States Hood seems to be on.
Like America of old, growth is fueled in some parts by a gold rush in
some countries, iron ore in others and the push for infrastructure like
roads and railways in others. Contenders are judged using a variety of
criterion from security to access to waterways.
While the Americans seemed to have less to fight against (the crown and
George for that Matter), we have in our midst several crowns (An English
one, A French one, A Portuguese one, A Spanish one, An Italian one and A
Dutch one).
If this is not enough, we also have to fight other manifestations of
these crowns in the form of crosses and crescents (which is great fodder
for our religiously inclined and suspicious masses).
While we have historically had the option of leaning either West or
East, Nkurumah has advised us to face forward instead.
At the heart of this push for recognition, lies the media or spin if you
like. The South Africans have had a head start of sorts given the
coverage their home grown hero gave them and the leverage they have
achieved with their rainbow. We await to see if they will make the best
of their inheritance.
What they have employed for the promulgation of their interests is a
vibrant news media. As have the Nigerians.
Across the continents India has done the same although they have used
the Entertainment model for their Bollywood. Al Jazeera has also emerged
thrusting a small country onto the table of influence in a way not even
Plutonium and its enrichment could.
I await the rise of a similar media group with lie minded goals of
regional dominance.
for prominence in greater Africa. Top contenders are Egypt, Libya, South
Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Ethiopia (given the location
of the Africa Union HQ). While some are on top of the list for Africa,
others are more content establishing themselves as regional blocks.
The force of finance and the power of capitalism are possible influences
given the size of some of our markets. And therefore the long march to
States Hood seems to be on.
Like America of old, growth is fueled in some parts by a gold rush in
some countries, iron ore in others and the push for infrastructure like
roads and railways in others. Contenders are judged using a variety of
criterion from security to access to waterways.
While the Americans seemed to have less to fight against (the crown and
George for that Matter), we have in our midst several crowns (An English
one, A French one, A Portuguese one, A Spanish one, An Italian one and A
Dutch one).
If this is not enough, we also have to fight other manifestations of
these crowns in the form of crosses and crescents (which is great fodder
for our religiously inclined and suspicious masses).
While we have historically had the option of leaning either West or
East, Nkurumah has advised us to face forward instead.
At the heart of this push for recognition, lies the media or spin if you
like. The South Africans have had a head start of sorts given the
coverage their home grown hero gave them and the leverage they have
achieved with their rainbow. We await to see if they will make the best
of their inheritance.
What they have employed for the promulgation of their interests is a
vibrant news media. As have the Nigerians.
Across the continents India has done the same although they have used
the Entertainment model for their Bollywood. Al Jazeera has also emerged
thrusting a small country onto the table of influence in a way not even
Plutonium and its enrichment could.
I await the rise of a similar media group with lie minded goals of
regional dominance.
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