Author: aswnetadmin

Ten Key Elements of Africa’s Decolonisation

Posted on By aswnetadmin
  1. Ubuntu: A whole of Africa philosophy emphasizing the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of community. The concept of Ubuntu highlights the communal values that were often disrupted by colonialism.
  2. Harambee: A Swahili word meaning all pull together. It represents the spirit of collective effort and collaboration, which colonial powers often exploited or disrupted in African societies.
  3. Mau Mau: Refers to a militant anti-colonial movement in Kenya during the 1950s. The Mau Mau rebellion symbolizes the resistance of African peoples against colonial oppression and exploitation.
  4. Sankofa: A word from the Akan people of Ghana, symbolized by a bird looking backward while moving forward. Sankofa represents the idea of learning from the past in order to build a better future, which is particularly relevant in addressing the legacies of colonisation in Africa.
  5. Maat: A concept from ancient Egyptian philosophy and spirituality, Maat represents truth, justice, and harmony. The pursuit of Maat was central to ancient African societies and serves as a guiding principle for addressing injustices perpetuated by colonisation.
  6. Indaba: A Nguni term for a gathering or conference to discuss important matters. Indigenous governance systems often relied on the indaba as a form of consensus-building, which was disrupted by colonial authorities.
  7. Jua kali: Swahili for ‘hot sun’, it refers to the informal sector of the economy in East Africa, characterized by small-scale entrepreneurship and craftsmanship. The jua kali sector has historically been a source of resilience and economic independence in the face of colonial economic exploitation.
  8. Imihigo: In Rwanda, imihigo are performance contracts between the government and citizens, outlining development goals and responsibilities. Indigenous governance practices such as imihigo were often suppressed or replaced by colonial administrative structures.
  9. Mugabeism: Named after Zimbabwe’s former leader Robert Mugabe, Mugabeism refers to the policy of land redistribution and indigenization of the economy pursued after independence. It reflects the legacy of colonial land dispossession and the struggle for economic justice in post-colonial Africa.
  10. Igbo kwenu: A call and response phrase used by the Igbo people of Nigeria to acknowledge the presence and solidarity of a group. Igbo kwenu is met with the response Igbo kwezuenu, signifying unity and collective identity, values that were often disrupted by colonialism but remain important in African societies.
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Chagua vs. AGOA: Rwanda’s Second Hand Clothes and Shoes Trade Standoff with the US and the Battle for Economic Sovereignty

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Rwanda ended up being banned from a trade deal with the US called AGOA – for raising tariffs to discourage…

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Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo speech about UN’s structural flaws, slave trade and illicit flow of funds out of Africa

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Speaking at the UN General Assembly in 2023, His Excellency President Nana Akufo-Addo made these important points: https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxrZ9J5AYZly5nNNIuc2djaJqD0gscmfi2?si=SHDbSW7Md-z2wfb- Implications for…

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A whopping 50 million shillings (US$22,000) for a researcher in Tanzania who publishes in an international journal – why this approach is wrong?

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The direct reason for paying US$22000 is to encourage rankings of local universities, an indirect reason is to improve research…

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Total Agreement Technique in African Research Ethics: A Culturally Sensitive Approach to Informed Consent

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Kudzai Mwapaura Blogger Informed consent is a cornerstone of research ethics, ensuring that participants understand and voluntarily agree to take…

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Ethics - African views, Kudzai Mwapaura blogger, Research - African methods

Food, nutrition and water insecurity impacts about 282 million people in Africa: why, what can our professions do as part of environmental work?

Posted on By aswnetadmin 2 Comments on Food, nutrition and water insecurity impacts about 282 million people in Africa: why, what can our professions do as part of environmental work?

Africa is not on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 targets to end hunger and ensure access…

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Fast-tracking African and national disability policies adoption and enforcement as an enabler of disability inclusion

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Blogger: Kudzai Mwapaura The organizations representing people with disabilities (PWDs) have urged the government of Zimbabwe to swiftly enact a…

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