Is Africa Cursed

[teddyv]

I've had the fortune to work in several African countries early in my geologist career. This is the from 1996-1998 and again in 2004 so I won't suggest things are the same as when I was there. I spent most time in Ghana, but also worked in South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo (between the two civil wars). As already pointed out, it is a big place and there are lots of different groups with different cultural practices. I don't think God has cursed Africa by any stretch.

I found Ghana a great place to work. Friendly people that you could share a joke with and hard workers. South Africa (Jo'berg mainly) was so different in that it was still not that far from the end of apartheid so there was little mixing of the blacks and whites. It was weird that I spent almost 4 months and rarely talked to a black person. But I loved my time there. South Africans are particularly hospitable people (and I adore the ladies accent). DRC was a different animal as we were in a camp about 20 minute helicopter ride from Bukavu in the mountains. It was also more like the wild west.

I did notice in Ghana that there is a casual corruption endemic to the society. Always a small price to pay for things on top especially if you are an expat. There was also a greater respect for the "strong man" type leader and this may play into many countries having military coups or somewhat tyrannical leaders over the years. Tribal identifiers are probably stronger than most other identifiers including religious. In Ghana it was mainly Christian in the south and Muslim in the north. The Christianity was a bit different from what I was used to, and there were still lots of customs and baggage from the pre-Christian religions, mainly around superstitions and traditional animalist beliefs. But Christianity is still pretty young in many parts and has to mature. The early Church was certainly full of warts.

 

[plavious]

If we are not seeking to find our identity in Christ alone, then we are seeking it in something else. However, when our identity is in the eternal things of Christ, we will not be crushed by our failures and weaknesses, fall into pride from worldly success, or despair over disappointments or tragedy. We won’t get lost seeking the attractive but empty things the world offers because Christ gives us a stable and eternal hope in a world of unstable hopelessness.
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father.” (Romans 8:14-15)
We have no need to judge or compare ourselves to others when we seek to please Christ alone, in whom our identity is hidden. If we are truly children of God, then the idea about colonization shouldn’t be our focus
One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. (Romans 14:5-8

In my flesh, we have gifts that are riddled with pride and imperfection, we have desires that often seek our own will more than God’s, and we have blessings that we are prone to hold tightly to rather than use for God’s glory. But that is not our identity anymore. We am righteous, holy, loved, and able to bring Christ glory through the gifts and blessings he has given us. Not by anything of our own doing, but by the grace of Jesus Christ.
Praise God that he loves us enough to take our broken, rebellious hearts and, because of the sacrifice of his son, offer us a new identity in Christ. Let’s not settle for anything less.

Am Africa. It is most important for me to focus more on what God had planned for us, where we have gone wrong and what we should do. As an individual, I usually search my life and see if my ways are in accordance to God's law. I talked about Africa because the same hardship I go through is the same other people elsewhere are going through. If I want to think that we learn corruption, embezzlement etc from our colonial masters, who don't they embezzle like us, why are they not corrupt like us.

The big question is " will Africa ever come out of this?".

[Henry_iain]

12 hours ago, plavious said:

Am Africa. It is most important for me to focus more on what God had planned for us, where we have gone wrong and what we should do. As an individual, I usually search my life and see if my ways are in accordance to God's law. I talked about Africa because the same hardship I go through is the same other people elsewhere are going through. If I want to think that we learn corruption, embezzlement etc from our colonial masters, who don't they embezzle like us, why are they not corrupt like us.

The big question is " will Africa ever come out of this?".

I'm sorry my friend. didn't mean to send us in that direction. When dealing with such a complex problem, I like to unpack things so that all he parts can be clearly seen. I mentioned colonialism only as a factor still playing in some African countries. It is by no means my main focus  

 

So lets move towards solutions. 

You ask "will Africa ever move out of this?" That is a question no one can finally answer except God. I also think we should remember that things will never be perfect until the end comes.  All I can say is that there is potential for improvement. And that is what I think we should focus on. Let us talk about what will bring about change. In 2001 I was part of a prayer event called Transformation Africa. It was held in a stadium and was well attended. There I think I saw part of the answer. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves,

and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

 

This is the scripture often used in such conversations. Notice that it is God''s people who are responsible for the welfare of the land. God will act, but on our part there needs to be a few things we need to do as Christians. I still say that the Church (not one church but all true believers) needs to unite and choose to do this. Laying aside our disagreements. I think this scripture speaks for itself. There is no other way. It is the church, not the government, who God will use to bring about transformation. Along with this, the gospel needs to be preached. And along with this we must have outreach programs and missionary work.

My church used to send out many mission teams (and will hopefully continue to do this in future). When they go to a country, they always work with the local church, because then they know it will be sustainable. 

So prayer, repentance and forgiveness as well as biblical education those are the solutions I think. 

But let me also say that we must remember it is not one person's responsibility to save Africa. But we can each play our part. our part is to love, pray and preach the gospel. For myself, it includes outreach and caring for those in need. 

And let us hope that God's kindness will lead people to repentance

Rom 2:4 

4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience,

 not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

 

as a side note, plavious, what do you think about Christ for All Nations? And have you heard of Angus Bachun or Steven Lungu? 

Edited May 28, 2020 by Henry_iain

[Dennis1209]

On 5/26/2020 at 7:20 AM, Henry_iain said:

My friend, I am an African too. So let us talk about his. You are right. One of the things I have often wondered about is why, in spite of having such an abundance of natural resources, do we still fall behind. Africa is a very big place and has a large population. The answer to this is very complex and has to do, I believe, with the following factors:

 

Africa's colonial past. Colonisation, whatever benefits it might have brought,  did more harm than good. Instead of working with the people, they oppressed and enslaved people. So many people in Africa resent the west and blame them for everything that goes wrong. People need to be freed from a colonial mindset , at least that is what I have found inn South Africa

Lack of education (especially biblical education). This is the key. A society that wants to become all it can become needs a solid education system with knowledgeable teachers and  willingness to learn.

Violence and disunity. Take South Africa, example. We have way too much violent crime and too many people fighting one another. I believe bloodshed has negative spiritual impact on a land. I also think that the fact that Africans are often so divided which  makes it hard for social cohesion to take place. This is critical because without some measure of "connectedness" there is not enough people to work on better infrastructure and other things that Africa really  needs

Cultural relativity and ancestor worship. Unfortunate;y this is a hard one. God cannot bless Africa as long as they hold on to their Culture rather than obeying God. There is no way around this. All our nations need to turn to God. (2 Chronicles 7) 

The need for better leadership. We have too many corrupt leaders who are only interested in enriching themselves. We need leaders who are willing to be a bit unpopular and also be willing to act upon their promises. Ramaphosa is such a leader and maybe the the leader of Rwanda. This means Africans themselves will need to be willing to do what is needed rather than what is easy 

 

Birth control. Generally I do not believe in overpopulation because I believe God doesn't make mistakes and everyone is born with a purpose. But in a more localised sense I think birth control is a necessary measure. There are too many hungry mouths to feed. Unfortunately this is a tough issue because it is hard to tell someone they can'd to something that a rich white person can do. 

 

I do not have answers too all these things and yet I have hope that if the church in Africa wakes up and starts to repent and turn to God, things can turn around.That's my take on it, but there is much than can be discussed on this issue still 

 

 

 

 

Hello Henry, 

First I'd like to make clear I'm not judging, criticizing, or disparaging the continent or any of its peoples; it's just thoughts that run through my mind if I were born and placed in those situations and circumstances. We know our Lord is not a respecter of persons; black, brown, yellow or white; rich, powerful or poor, He loves all his children the same. We know there's a reason and purpose when and where each and everyone of us is placed; albeit we're not given the answers.

I've never been to Africa and I'm only an outside observer, whom like most outsiders only have an opinion with flawed knowledge and understanding. I've thought to myself more than once watching those starving children and conditions [save the children foundation, documentaries, etc.], what would I do if I was placed there under those circumstances? It appears many have lost all hope.

Placed and living in drought, famine, starvation, disease and oppression; would it be wise to have children I could not feed, nurture and support? The heartache and helplessness of watching your children slowly starve to death, get bloated bellies, a physical appearance of skeletal remains, getting the diseases associated with malnutrition, lack of clean water and unsanitary conditions. Perhaps in parts of Africa it's like biblical times; where not having son(s) and children is a disgrace, shame or offense??? 

I suspect your thoughts on the subject may be correct.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

There's only one hope for us as individuals and nation; the Lord Jesus Christ.

[Henry_iain]

Well said, Dennis  . I appreciate your words and you have spoken the truth. I myself am critical of many things happening in Africa as much as I still love the place. In fact, it is because I care so deeply for its people that I look to confront areas where change is needed. 

 

 

Edited May 28, 2020 by Henry_iain

[Henry_iain]

The following article was written by a friend and former colleague on 14 April.  He recently posted it again. I only give you the most relevant details. He is a entrepreneur and a believer. This is a bit less spiritual and a bit more practical , focusing a lot on education, but I think it is interesting and relevant to this discussion. 

Here it is:

Africa we missed out on the First to the Third Industrial revolutions and would probably blame it to lack of education, fair enough. Now we are in the era of information age a.k.a the 4th Industrial Revolution. We have access to information 24/7 on our mobile phones and we still going cry out to governments for lack education and access to capital. Guess what, if we wait for our government and politicians, we will wait until cows come home.

“If WE as Africans want things to change, we have to change, if we want things to get better, we have to get better.”

In this dispensation, we can no longer afford to blame our governments, politicians and environmental for our lack of progress.

It's either we choose to disrupt ourselves or be disrupted by the West as usual.

We need to shape up or shape out, adapt or perish.

Degrees are not going to save us, politics and government are also not going to save us.

Prayer without works is also not going to save us.

Our problem is not lack of funding or resources but mind-set and lack of personal disruption. We can't disrupt the external environment when we have not disrupted ourselves, personally through the right education. By right education I don't mean degrees or your formal academic qualifications, though still very imperative for our progress.

What I mean is a developmental mind-set that is focused on solving problems of the Continent than our own personal interests.

Developmental mind-set infused with innovative entrepreneurial spirit. We need to get out of that holier than thou attitude as citizens of different African states.

We need to start appreciating and loving one another because if we don’t, no one will take us serious as the Continent.

Someone once said “it is possible to be delivered from oppression (colonisation, apartheid) and yet not be free.” Yes, we have been delivered from oppression but not yet free. Freedom in this context means a new mind-set all together, a paradigm shift of mind because freedom comes with TAKING personal responsibility. God diverted the Israelites when he used Moses to deliver them from 400 years of Egyptian SLAVERY to the desert for 40 years. You know WHY, because even though they were delivered they were not yet free because their behaviour still manifested 400 years of Egyptian oppression. Therefore, the desert was their new mind-set training ground preparing them for the responsibilities of the promised land.

Now isn’t that tantamount to our African situation?? We have been delivered from colonisation but our minds are still not Free from the past colonial oppression.

From 2020 onwards it’s the new era of decentralized economy, conscious capitalism and the rise of anarcho-capitalist. Artificial (AI) Intelligence, Internet of things (Iot), Big Data, Distributed Ledger Technology (Blockchain) and E-Learning are shaping the future of business. The COVID-19 “Plandemic” has already showed us that we cannot just wish away the above scenarios currently at play.

IF we are awake to the above realities, it’s the greatest wealth transfer in history of kleptocratic economy disguised as true capitalism.

You must be asking yourself Why the above tech narrative relevant to this article?

Well political slogans and different ideological narrative without people eccentric socio-economic developmental plans is a futile exercise.

Its time for the true government of the people by the people for the people not for the benefit of the few political elite and their friends.

Africa it’s your TIME, wake up from your Slumber, the TIME is Now. Let us all fail forward!!!!!!

Your loving brother and friend Mawande Oscar Makalima (Republic of South Africa)"