14th-mid 17th century, Europeans experience the rebirth (Renaissance) and developed humanism (human nature and kindness). This is the time that brought a big influence to the entire world as it brought new thinking and creativity.
This is the period followed by industrial revolution. I firmly believe that without the knowledge, philosophies, creativity and new thinking from Renaissance industrial revolution was impossible. I come again saying that all starts from your head.
During Renaissance period people changed their thinking, artists become more creative, authors wrote a lot of helpful books, people read them and come up with confidence and abilities to think for themselves hence spread of creativity. And industrial revolution got the foundation.
African-Renaissance
Rediscovering of the literature of Greece and Rome was the key to European Renaissance, Europeans come up with a new way of thinking and creativity, which I believe lead them to the industrial revolution.
What is the role of reading in African Renaissance?
The concept of African-Renaissance was first articulated by Cheikh Anta Diop in his series of essays collected in his book Towards the African Renaissance: Essays in Culture and Development, 1946-1960.
Renaissance is a word from French meaning rebirth as I said. African-Renaissance is the campaign to overcome the current challenges that Africans and continent in general, are confronting to achieve the cultural, scientific and economic rebirth.
This concept become popular thanks to Thabo Mbeki the former South Africa president. Thabo Mbeki suggested encouragement of education and reduction of African intellectuals who go working abroad as a way towards African-Renaissance.
Noel Moukala said that African-Renaissance is impossible without African unity. Which I agree with both of them.
My point of view
African-Renaissance is really necessary, everyone is hungry for that. But most people underestimate their contributions.
What is your role? That is my focal point in this article.
An important contribution is changing yourself and it's enough for African-Renaissance.
Changes needed
Think and trust your thinking: this is where creativity comes from. Wright Brothers thought that they can make something flying like a bird if they didn't trust their thoughts they could not have made an airplane. Let us trust our thinking way and not try to copy everything.
Proud of Africa: this is our homeland if you just want to sleep in your neighbor's house just because it's built well without thinking of building well your own house there is no guarantee that he will always accommodate you.
Being proud of Africa will reduce brain drain, and Africa will get enough capable human resources.Education: Education is not about getting a job after graduating, it is about getting a sharp tool to think, a tool to solve problems and an understanding of minds. This is what Europeans did after rediscovering the literature of Greece and Rome.
Reading books: I don't want to mix this one with education just because this point is very very important and it is a key to our Renaissance as Greeks and Roman's literature was a key for Europeans. Read and you'll come up with unexpected results.
Build a systemic plan: starting from a person to the country and the entire continent. We are in a cocktail of cultures, different influences and periods (Renaissance, the industrial revolution, modern......), it is hard to make a long-term plan as it may change due to external influences so to achieve Renaissance we need a long-term systemic plan.
Peace and unit: excuses, a lot of complaints, dishonest and materialism are the main enemies of peace and unity in Africa. So we need to promote changes.
Be part of the change: even one piece of advice, shared quotes... can influence someone's life so play your role in African-Renaissance.
Etc...
There a lot of changes to consider you can add more to your personal list.
Africa needs motivations, helpful thoughts, and leadership skills.
FROM
TO
A person who wants to grow will always need a mentor, a role model who guides you toward where you want to go not who tell you where you have to go.
When you show what you're made off the right people will join you.
➡
Your contribution is really necessary and never underestimate your contribution.
If you wish you can.
By Jado
SHALLOM
