Once again world media
turn cameras to Africa to report a positive image of an African man
By John Blanshe
Musinguzi
It’s
must, the dumb will talk about Mandela, deaf will hear this great news about
his death while the blind will watch once a portrait of Nelson.
Let enjoy it. From BBC to New York Times to
Aljazeera back to Africa, nothing else but demise of Madiba is making it to
news rooms. It rare to find world media covering positive news about Africa.
This may be last time. Yesterday BBC headline about Africa was atrocities in
Central Africa Republic where more than 80 people had died due to religious
crash between Muslims and Christians.
This year’s western media coverage of our continent
has been dominated by political crisis in Egypt, Libya, Mali, Central Africa
republic, DRC, conflict between South and North Sudan, atrocities committed by
book haram in Nigeria. Social mayhems such as corruption, poverty, poor health
and so on. They have enjoyed it.
In 2012, nothing else but a reflection of the above.
In 2011, January Egyptian revolution that led to toppled Mubarak government,
Libyan revolution of 2011 toppled Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and then Tunisia
revolution of December 2010 to January 2011. What followed was coverage,
political, economical and social transformation in these states which had no
good news for the continent.
In Libya for
example until today nothing positive can be reported minus the assassination of
the prime minister and continued failure of the state. In Egypt we always
expect nothing else other than unending protests by supporter of deposed
president- Mohamed Morsi.
In mid-2010 as result of Madiba’s voice, we had moments
to enjoy. 32 teams from around the world convened on an African for the first
time to play world cup-world’s major soccer event. Whereas we did not win the
trophy we won fame as we proved that the capacity to host such big sporting
events. Our Ghana would have made to quarter finals and probably semi-finals
but we were unlucky.
Now it time to jubilate and celebrate Mandela’s life
with the rest of the world as world cameras turn to our soil for this
celebration. Let us sing dance drink and eat with the rest of world.
It’s must, the dumb will talk about
Mandela, deaf will hear this great news about his death while the blind will
watch once a portrait of Nelson.
Whoever had about Madiba’s demise, he or she had
what to say
Archbishop
emeritus Desmond Tutu had nothing but praise to God for giving South Africa Mandela
at a crucial moment in history
Barack Obama described him as one has who achieved
more than expected of any man today.
Queen Elizabeth termed him as man who worked
tirelessly for the good of his country and his legacy is the peaceful South
Africa we today.
Pope Francis called him a man who forged South
Africa built on the firm foundation of non-violence, reconciliation and truth.
When shall we hear again such praise for a mere
African man?. Can any of our current political leader earn such a praise for
the continent?.
Flags are flying in Washington and Paris for an
African icon. When shall France and America bow down for Africa again?.
Or when shall an Austrian prime minister be accused
of failing to order national flag to be flown half-mast in recognition of an
African?. What about the day when BBC will be accused of over reporting about
death of an African?. Shall it ever happen again?.
Neither South Africa nor his family can claim him,
he belongs to us all. No country or organization can claim him but we all call
him Madiba-father. Then who are we going to become without him?. When shall we
learn to live without him?. Let us remain hopeful, yes we can.
As he said “after climbing a great hill, one
only finds that there many more hill to climb.” No doubt, he had to
climbed many hills to reach the peak. We too can emulate him. This will not happen
in a single day or month or year but we can. He spent 27 years in prison but
remained optimistic and focused. We too can emulate him as we mold a better
Africa.
No, we shall not always export conflict, poverty,
corruption and so on to the western world media. He has challenged us, let turn
Africa into a better continent as we take on his legacy. This is inevitable.
As Charles Onyango-Obbo tweeted, “today Africa
officially begins its ANM- after Nelson Mandela-era.”
Madiba: may your soul rest in eternal peace and
always pray for Africa to be a better continent
John Blanshe Musinguzi is a Journalism
and Communication student at Makerere University
Tweet:johnblanshe_m
To be continued..., in third and final
part, we shall compare current African leader to our departed father-Madiba
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