Editorial
Africa – The Confident Continent
These things matter.
Besides, over the past 2 decades, those same Africans have braved the sun and whatever other pressures to turn out at an average turnout rate of 60 percent on their respective election days. This is an Africa where citizens are taking a keener interest in civic discourse and are attaching greater importance to civic duty; an Africa that Africans think is missing from what the world knows about Africa.
Another telltale sign of continental confidence is the number of women who are, increasingly, being entrusted with the important role of managing their communities. And these women are surprising the heck out of everyone! They are members of parliament, ministers and presidents. As the youngest and fastest growing continent in the world, these women leaders are becoming the ringleaders and symbols countless girls have longed for – giving respite to the “Iron Ladies” Margaret Thatcher, Golda Meir and Indira Gandhi.
There is an inkling that this current generation of young Africans understands their strength and actual ability to shape their present and so their future. This puts Africa in a unique position. The aspirations of the young are juxtaposed with the old men holding on to African thrones, and the young people are slowly winning. This is why Africa is the confident continent. And as they say, you can only hear a lion roar if you are actually on the Savannah. Thus, you have to go to Africa to see this confidence for yourself.
The Habari Network Editorial Board | February 10, 2014
