Re-Thinking Values in Africa: For Collective Well-being

Abstract

Africa, a continent that conjures images of disease, hunger, war and savagery in the minds of outsiders is also a continent full of simple humanity. It still holds large pockets of the traditional humane values that much of the world has lost. There is an ocean of generosity that moves Africans to welcome and care for strangers visitors without pretence and this act of generosity is genuine, demonstrating complete acceptance of our common humanity. However, the reality of the daily struggle to survive is often not too far away. It comes knocking every single hour when people wonder where they are going to find the next meal; when children die before their prime from simple illnesses and when you have to attend funerals nearly every day. These are glaring reminders of life's vulnerabilities in Africa; something you forget when you live in London or New York. They are the profound realities of Africa's unfulfilled promise - at independence - to create better conditions for her peoples.