Community Development in Africa 2013. Discussion guide A quick trip through history and beyond: 1.A brief look at the history of civilizations in Africa.

Community Development in

Africa2013

Discussion guide• A quick trip through history and beyond:

1.A brief look at the history of civilizations in Africa2.An overview of the era of colonization and its effects on Africa3.The time after colonization – the era of ‘developing’ and

‘developed’ countries – Aid to Africa4.Globalisation – interdependence and independence5.Africa Rising

What makes a civilisation*?• “The ten criteria of civilization are very easy to know. You

must have political organization and social classes. There have to be religions and beliefs. You must also have forms of the arts. Language and communication are other criteria. And science and technology also defines civilization.”

• (http://www.ask.com/question/criteria-of-a-civilization)

* Civilization - Synonyms: Progress, advancement, refinement, sophistication, society.

What makes a civilisation?• Language and communication(http://www.africanspotlight.com/2013/02/22/

africa-the-fading-use-of-indigenous-languages/)

What makes a civilisation?• Shared culture• Art• Writing• Stories• Religion/belief system

What makes a civilisation?• Political structures• Self ruling areas (sovereignty)• Justice systems/laws• Social classes

• Education & training

What makes a civilisation?• Trade• International economic

movement of goods• Professional services

(accountants/letter writers/contracts)

• Measure of exchange (money)

• Scientific research• Astronomy• Philosophy• Medicine • Metal work• Agriculture

Ancient African Civilisations• North Africa & West Asia• Mesopotamia (3500BC – 2000BC)• Egypt (3000BC – 2100BC)

• Sub-Sahara Africa• Axum (Ethiopia) (300AD – 1100AD)• Ghana (700AD – 1200AD)• Kilwa Kisiwani (1100AD – 1600AD)• Mali (1200AD – 1400AD)• Songhai (1500AD – 1700AD)• Zimbabwe (1200AD – 1500AD)

• Dates from 3500BC to approx. 1700AD – 5 200 years in total.

Era of colonisation• 16th – 20th Century• Europe expanded into Africa• Portuguese slave traders to Angola• French & English traders to West African coast• Dutch to Cape of Good Hope• (http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/history/slave-

trade.php)

Era of Development• Post WWII European colonial powers became involved in

‘developing’ Africa.• The intention was to ‘modernise’ the ‘developing’ countries to

conform to the industrialised standards of the ‘developed’ countries.

• The road to hell is indeed paved with good intentions!• This type of development did not take into account the local

conditions, the culture or the needs of local communities.• It failed…

Africans doing it for themselves• The realisation that only Africans can solve Africa’s problems.• The legacy of foreign political and economic systems – from

Free Market mechanisms to Socialism• We have to find new political and economic realities that are

truly African and truly global

• Millennium Goals for Africa• National Development Plan (SA)• Trade not Aid

Globalisation• Interdependent or independent?• A rope made up of many strands is stronger than a single

strand of fibre

• Regional cooperation: SADC and AU – Africa must move to be completely independent and to systems of majority rule that is acceptable to all – political

• Global cooperation: BRICS, UN

• We do need one another

Regional development goals• Find a few clear goals to focus on, for example:• Improve education opportunities for girls

• Encourage policy changes to open the doors• Cascade policies down to all members of the region and to all levels of

government• Create awareness about the policies amongst all social classes• Change perceptions about the value and contribution of basic education for

girls – frame the message to emphasise the benefit to individuals and families• Make this the accepted practice in the communities, countries, region• Become the aspirational example to other countries, regions• Be realistic• Time frame: at least 12 – 20 years for full benefit

Africa rising• Business opportunities• Trade partner of choice• International economies need growth from African markets

and manufacturing/production capacities• Agriculture• Resources• Static international markets provide opportunities• Increase of educated young people with access to information • Cellular and ICT developments• Africa redefining the role of business in society• The child is becoming a young adult. She is confident and

hungry for success!