Let Us Have Faith In Ourselves As Africans

We must not remain in the shadow of the West.

By Lisa Weideman The nation is going to the dogs. The radio tells me so, every morning while I contemplate my decaffeinated roast. The miners and policemen are killing each other; the politicians are killing the people; and inflation is killing my pocket. The petrol price went up yesterday, and already we’re being warned of future hikes.

These are a sign of the times — a sign of the falsity of everything modernity that has led us to believe:

Consume!

Acquire!

More is more!

Clearly, the mass-produced product (and the system that made it) have been deified.

“Please sir, I don’t want any more.”

“What?”

“Please sir, I don’t want any … more.”

“No more?”

Consumption has become the

defining feature of modern societies and, until recently, it seemed that Africa was lagging in the race for acquisition. However, perhaps as a result of the dreaded “globalization” or other external influences, post-colonial Africa is doing its best to become an accomplished consumer.

We have built enormous shopping centres and have filled them with the finest luxury imports Asia has to offer. Our dustbins overflow with plastics en route to the

Photo by Chris Allen

Western culture is evident in communication technologies that are attracting people everywhere and South Africans are not exceptions.

landfills that bulge and groan. Children watch television more than they play outside — choosing cool, dark, interiors over the warmth of African summers.

When I was young, I knew the word “enough,” and I heard it very often from my parents. These days, children are born into excess and “enough” is afforded a negative value.

Our poor, beautiful land.

In Port Elizabeth, we have a Route 67 that honours the struggles that occurred in order to realize democracy almost 20 years ago. Some of the art depicts freedom and inspires optimism in those who notice it.

I think it was a great idea. It is the type of project that makes you proud to be a South African; makes you grateful to live in these times; makes you blind to reality.

We are not free. Being able to express opinions and hold the hand of another colour does not make us free. Even the politicians — the corrupt and the fair — are restricted. Invisible forces, such as the World Bank and the IMF, hold our liberties at ransom. Our economies were made by the gods of consumption, and we have been created in their image.

His tatty clothes matched his ruddy face. The little boy scratched his ashy skin, and looked at me, eyebrows raised.

“Does your daddy have a car?”

“Yes, he does,” I replied.

“Does your mommy have a car?”

“Yes, she does, too.” not immediately a resource that

A disbelieving stare. noticeable. will not last

“Are they big cars?” Camouflaged sheep our lifetime?

From a young age we are taught that wander around, The damage of consumerism will deliver happiness. In content — even these short-term, the townships, some low-income parents slightly poetic. get-rich-quick would rather buy a BMW than invest in They graze and operations will be education or food security for their children. chew and stare irreparable. Water The image of wealth is all-important. into the distance, will be poisoned,

In the suburbs, some homeowners buy contemplating their the land will houses they will never pay off and too fine quality of life. become toxic, much food. They can afford the finer things, Most things people will fall ill, and so they squander their wealth on seem slow here. and animals will die. unnecessary items that, more often than The horizon The (transnational) not, only feed the landfills that provide offers no limits to corporations know a scenic backdrop to the poor areas. But, the fresh Karoo this, but they the image of wealth is all-important. sky. The desert continue with

Our people are getting fat. The politicians plants sunbathe their plans. In creak as they climb the platforms, and while whispering their view, Africa their expensive clothing sits tightly on appreciative is only as valuable their potbellies and backsides. Gone are messages to the as its resources. the days of activity. Now they relish tea soil. There are many It is all very breaks and lunches paid for by the public. wild animals. Most well to blame the

The general public follow suit, and are timid or match foreigners, but it support the western corporations that the colours of the also is essential sell us sugar for bread and cruelty for koppies, and so Photo by Chris Allen that the South burgers. Those who can afford to indulge one feels honoured The market place in Port Elizabeth hums with activ ity and diverse peoples in this international hub. African state claims in these dubious foods regularly. Those to see them. responsibility who cannot afford it ensure that they It is a perfect for its choices. are first in line on payday. “Streetwise” system with a death sentence. By allowing the extraction of this gas, carries a whole new meaning nowadays. Various oil and gas companies have and the destruction of many parts of

Our factories pump out noxious clouds been granted the rights to proceed with the Karoo, the state is following the that hover over the cities. On breezeless exploratory hydraulic fracturing operations capitalist rationality that we, as South days, even the in certain parts of Africans, must learn to refute. revered Mother this terrain. Voices We cannot continue to model ourselves City finds her lungs raised in outrage on consumerist Western policies. At misty with smog. have been somewhat some point, we have to refuse a second

“We must run, quelled by promises portion and be content with our adequate while others walk” of jobs, money wealth. Before we look to harmful — but at what cost? and investment. activities to “enrich” the economy, let

Other lands have It has been us consider cleaning up the corruption grown weary of predicted that the and disproportional wealth that pollutes their development reserves of gas will government. Let us promote leaders who marathons, last a mere 30 years, are willing to downgrade their salaries although they but opinions differ. for the benefit of charity — as in Malawi would not admit it. Many believe the and Uruguay. These things do happen.

However, the operations are being Let us free ourselves from the Earth is rebelling, founded on lies and cycle of consumption and recognize and Africa should the jobs will be for the wealth in helping others. join her cause. skilled foreigners, We will get nowhere while the

Fewer than 200 not for unskilled extraordinarily rich continue to enslave kilometers inland locals. The money the poor. We need to question our motives from Port Elizabeth, will line the pockets and priorities. We need to understand lies the beautiful of the rich and only that the age of individualism is dead. semi-desert area further cripple the As Africans, let us have faith in known as the perpetually poor. ourselves to forge a new future that Karoo. It is vast, Who can speak does not lie in the shadow of the West, brown and thriving Photo by Chris Allen While it may take different forms in different culof the positives but looks to the light in the East to with life that is tures, beauty is appreciated among all peoples. of investing in illuminate the way to freedom.