Africa, the cradle of humanity, is a continent of unparalleled beauty, resilience and pain. Beneath its surface, deep wounds linger, refusing to be silenced. The echoes of colonialism, apartheid and exploitation continue to reverberate, leaving scars that penetrate the fragile fabric of time. Africa is weeping.
The pain is becoming overwhelming and is seeping through despite multiple efforts to undo it. The bandages are failing to stop the bleeding, for the depth is so huge that it is becoming slowly insurmountable. It is as though Africa was always meant to suffer, despite the fact that the plethora of current challenges are outcomes of devious machinations by European powers to exploit Africa’s resources. These powers plotted and schemed, in what was like a colonial-era shopping spree, to divide Africa among themselves with some thoroughly devastating consequences. The Berlin Conference of 1884 was like the peak of this machination, where they selfishly and ruthlessly decided to make decisions on behalf of a continent that did not belong to them.
Colonialism was crafted to leave permanent scars and it left Africa with a plethora of challenges. Poverty, inequality and social injustice are just a few of the many issues that continue to plague the continent. These problems are not just mere coincidences but rather symptoms of a deeper malaise. As the saying goes, “some wounds bleed through the bandages,” and Africa’s wounds are no exception.
Despite efforts to heal and move forward, the pain and scars of the past continue to affect the present. Economic instability, cultural disconnection and a sense of disempowerment are just a few examples of how these wounds manifest. The continent’s history is marked by pain and suffering, from the slave trade’s brutal legacy to the arbitrary borders imposed by colonial powers.
It has become impossible to evaluate Africa without examining the roots of colonialism because so clinical was the process that incomplete freedoms were given, whilst some remote-controlled subjugation continued. The different episodes of independence given to African countries were not similar to the approach they took to colonise. The argument is not just about acknowledging the past but about understanding how it continues to shape the present and how, unfortunately, it looks set to influence the future.
THE WOUNDS WE HIDE: BERLIN CONFERENCE
Otto von Bismarck, the German Chancellor, was the mastermind behind the Berlin Conference, where European powers divided Africa. His protagonists suggest that he aimed to prevent European conflict and secure German colonies, using diplomacy to regulate colonisation and trade.
Thieving Coalition: Arbitrary Borders
The notorious Berlin Conference of 1884, was an in-depth surgery on Africa by Europeans whose only interest was in how to divide the riches of Africa for the benefit of various European countries. It was Europeans clubbing together to steal Africa’s wealth. One major factor is the artificial borders imposed by the Berlin Conference, which ignored ethnic, cultural and geographical realities, forcing diverse groups into single nations or splitting communities across borders, fuelling tensions. For instance, the Sudan-South Sudan conflict is a prime example.
Through this conference, Britain drew borders that were to leave enduring scars for North and South Sudan. They combined the predominantly Arab North Sudan and the predominantly Christian South Sudan. This resulted in uneven development, marginalisation and cultural suppression over South Sudan. This led to the ultimate independence of South Sudan in 2011.
Thieving Coalition: Divide And Rule
The Berlin Conference literally divided Africa and created divisions that still linger today. Take Rwanda, for example.
The Belgians and Germans played the Hutus and Tutsis against each other, favouring the Tutsis in governance and education. This created a toxic dynamic, with the Hutus feeling marginalised and the Tutsis feeling superior. Fast forward to 1994 – and the tensions boiled over into one of the most horrific genocides in history, with 800,000 people losing their lives in just 100 days. It’s crazy to think that the actions of colonial powers over a century ago can still have such devastating consequences today. The legacy of divide-and-rule tactics continues to shape African societies, making it tough to heal and move forward.
Thieving Coalition: Intra-continental Tensions
The Berlin Conference had a profound impact on Libya, as it was a key factor in the country’s colonisation and subsequent turmoil. Libya was one of the territories that fell under European control. The artificial borders created by the conference have been a source of tension between Libya and its neighbouring countries, particularly Egypt and Chad. Italy exploited Libya’s resources and oppressed its people, forcing labour and erasing cultural heritage. This period of colonial rule fuelled resentment among Libyans, contributing to the country’s post-independence instability and subsequent conflicts. The legacy of the Berlin Conference continues to influence Libya’s complex politics and regional dynamics.
Creation Of Lesotho
The creation of Lesotho is a very complicated issue that’s still debated today. When I was still at the University of the Free State (UFS), we used to talk about it in discussion groups, as many of the Black students at the University were Basotho from Lesotho. These students spoke the same language and shared identical cultural and other methods of living. We were just cut from the same cloth in every way.
On the one hand, some would argue that the establishment of these countries preserved the autonomy of the Basotho kingdom, allowing them to maintain their unique cultural identities. Additionally, some would argue that the creation of Lesotho may have prevented larger conflicts between European powers, which could have had devastating consequences for the local populations.
On the other hand, others argue that the imposition of artificial borders disrupted local societies, splitting communities and creating economic and social challenges that persist to this day. The creation of Lesotho also perpetuated colonialism, entrenching European control and undermining the self-determination of the local populations. Lesotho has always relied on South Africa for trade and infrastructure, as well as economic and political decisions.
LEGALISED LOOTING
Theft Of Resources
Colonial powers stole Africa’s resources. The diamonds and gold, massively imbibed by Britain, built the British economy by growing its industries, stabilising its empire, strengthening the British pound and solidified this tiny island country as a major force in global politics. Congo’s rubber fueled Europe’s economies, whilst West Africa’s palm oil made Europe shine.
Thieving-Based Infrastructure Development Or Neglect
Colonial infrastructure in Africa was designed to rip out resources, not build local economies. Roads, railways, and ports were built to facilitate extraction, not connect local communities or promote intra-African trade. This legacy still affects Africa today, with many countries struggling to diversify and develop.
As stated above, South Africa’s economy is still dominated by extractive industries like gold and diamonds, with the country’s infrastructure reflecting a contradiction with world-class ports and mining infrastructure, but inadequate public transport and services in many communities.
Compare this to Europe, where you can hop on a train in Paris and be in Berlin, Amsterdam or Brussels in a few hours. Europe’s rail network is a web of connections, facilitating trade, tourism and cooperation. In Africa, it’s a different story. Few countries have direct rail links, making it tough for people and goods to move across borders. This isn’t an accident – it’s a legacy of colonialism, prioritising extraction over integration. European colonisers built railroads for the purpose of extracting African resources, not to enhance connections between countries. African countries currently face enormous challenges in improving road and rail transportation between countries. Funding is a challenge, as they depend on foreign investment.
Legalised Plundering
The DRC’s story is contradictory. Rich in resources, but stuck in a cycle of poverty and conflict. Cobalt and coltan, the country’s crown jewels, are fueling the tech industry globally, but locally, it’s a different story. Multinational corporations and foreign powers are cashing in, while the DRC’s people see little benefit. The DRC’s cobalt powers our smartphones, but its people struggle to make ends meet. The legacy of colonialism is still felt, with the DRC’s resources being exploited and its institutions weakened. The wound is bleeding profusely.
ERASURE OF IDENTITY
Colonialism imposed European cultures, languages and values, erasing indigenous heritage. Local languages, traditions and customs were suppressed, replaced by European ones. The impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures in South Africa is profound. The imposition of European languages, traditions and values has indeed led to a significant loss of cultural identity, particularly among communities like the Khoi and San.
Colonialism’s impact on the Khoi and San peoples was devastating, leading to the erasure of their languages, traditions, and customs. The Khoi and San were subjected to forced assimilation, violence and marginalisation, pushing their cultures to the brink of extinction.
Cultural erasure continues to impact Africa, with suppressed languages, traditions and identities still struggling to reclaim their place. The imposed European norms and languages overshadowed indigenous cultures, leaving a complex web of identity crises and lost heritage.
DISPLACEMENT
Colonial powers seized land, displacing communities and undermining traditional land ownership systems. In many African countries, colonial powers did this to do mining or farming or conservation, displacing local communities. This has led to landlessness, poverty, and conflict over land rights. The seizure of land by colonial powers has had a lasting impact on African communities, disrupting traditional land ownership systems and leading to displacement, landlessness and poverty.
In Kenya, the creation of the Maasai Mara National Reserve led to the forced removal of indigenous Maasai communities, restricting their access to ancestral lands and grazing areas. This has contributed to ongoing tensions and conflicts over land rights, as communities struggle to reclaim their heritage and to reclaim their heritage and secure their livelihoods.
The legacy of colonial land grabs is evident also in countries like South Africa, where apartheid-era land policies continue to influence land ownership patterns, fueling debates around land reform and restitution. The impact is also felt in Zimbabwe, where historical land seizures have contributed to complex land disputes and economic challenges.
LEGALISED MISEDUCATION
The colonial education system’s legacy still haunts Africa, prioritizing European knowledge over local wisdom. This approach has led to a disconnect between education and community needs, resulting in high dropout rates and unemployment.
South Africa’s Bantu Education system is a stark reminder of this flawed approach, designed to limit black students’ potential and perpetuate inequality. This system was rotten to the core. Black students got the bare minimum, while white students got the VIP treatment. It was like giving someone a fish, but not teaching them how to fish or even letting them close to an ocean. The government tried to force the idea that black people were good at manual labor. Meanwhile, Afrikaans and English were staples in each school, and indigenous languages were like the wallflowers. The 1976 Soweto Uprising was a natural consequence of this degradation. Today, there’s a growing movement to decolonise education, incorporating local knowledge and contexts to make learning more relevant. Initiatives promoting indigenous languages, African literature and local histories are underway, aiming to address historical imbalances and empower students with skills that matter.
CONTINUED DEPENDENCY
Colonialism in Africa disrupted local institutions, imposing European-style systems that undermined traditional governance and decision-making. This has led to a reliance on external frameworks, weakening local capacity and contributing to issues like corruption, instability and poor governance. In many African countries, the legacy of colonialism is evident in the struggle to establish effective institutions.
Local systems were often marginalised or dismantled, replaced by imported models that didn’t fit local contexts. This has resulted in a disconnect between institutions and the people they serve, fueling problems like corruption and mismanagement. The impact is clear: many African countries face challenges in building robust, accountable institutions that serve their citizens’ needs.
LEGALISED HEALTH CARELESSNESS
Colonial healthcare systems were designed to serve colonial interests, prioritising the health of colonial administrators over indigenous populations. This legacy has left many African countries struggling to respond to health crises.
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa was a stark reminder of this, exposing weak health infrastructure, inadequate resources and a lack of local capacity. It’s clear that investing in local healthcare systems is crucial for Africa’s health security.
In South Africa, the healthcare system still grapples with the legacy of colonialism and apartheid. The country has a well-developed private healthcare sector, but public healthcare facilities are often under-resourced, leading to unequal access to quality healthcare.
BRAND AFRICA CALLS FOR A STOP IN THE BLEEDING
The legacy of colonialism continues to shape Africa’s present. In my language, I prefer to see the Berlin Conference as a platform where a group of bully-driven brand strategists, whose mandate was to disempower Africa as a whole, created what should have been permanent resources for their use and reduced the continent into a supply shaft for the colonialists.
Did they achieve that? Yes and no. Yes, because they bullied Africa into the current conditions. No, because Africa can still pull itself out.
Africa’s Freedom Should Be For All Africans
Those 1884 Destination Branding Bullies in Berlin, led by Otto von Bismarck, basically divided Africa like it was a pizza without considering that this was land inhabited by fellow human beings with cultures and histories.
Today, they sit behind their tellies observing spectacularly, watching the fruits of their oppression and suppression as though the victim is responsible – typical bully mentality. Africa’s development challenges are often misattributed to internal factors, neglecting the significant impact of colonialism and LEGALISED external interference. A more accurate understanding of Africa’s situation would acknowledge the continent’s complex history and the role of external factors in shaping its development trajectory.
Now, we are stuck with borders that don’t always make sense and systems that keep us tied to the past. But here’s the thing: our freedom’s not complete if it’s just some countries or regions getting free. We need to be all in this together, as Africans. Freedom is defined as the power to make choices and live life without undue restriction or oppression. As Africans, can we say we possess the power to make choices? Are our abilities to make choices not influenced by the neocolonialist options that we are forced to choose from? How far have we managed to stand our ground against globalisation and economic dependencies? So, are we free or just relatively free?
It’s time to come together, solidify Brand Africa, and show the world what we’re working with. We can only be fully free if all Africans are free. The African Union provides a vehicle that should coalesce our efforts in solidifying Brand Africa.
Wounds Are A Call To Action
By acknowledging and addressing these wounds, Africa can help pave the way for healing and development. It is time for Africa to reclaim its narrative, prioritise local solutions and work towards a brighter future. Africa’s wounds are not just a reminder of the past; they are a call to action. They urge us to confront the unfinished business of history and work towards collective healing. It’s time to acknowledge the intergenerational trauma that’s been passed down, to recognise the strength in vulnerability and to forge a path towards reconstruction.
Revival Of Intra-Continental Co-operation
These borders were created in Berlin and were structures to deny any intra-continental co-operation. They divided, and history keeps reminding us about a Belgian Congo and English Rhodesia, for instance. Whilst they went into solidifying their continent with a borderless currency (Euro) and cooperative European Economy, they left Africa bleeding from the scars of their divisive rule in the continent.
Going Forward
The journey will be long and arduous, but it begins with honest conversations, empathy and a commitment to justice. We must reexamine our systems, challenge the status quo and uplift the voices of the marginalised. We must confront our own biases, privilege and complicity in perpetuating systems of oppression. We must stand in solidarity with those who’ve been silenced and amplify their stories.
To move forward, Africa needs to invest in local industries and economic diversification, strengthen regional cooperation and integration, develop robust and accountable institutions, prioritise local healthcare systems and infrastructure and promote cultural preservation and celebration.
This is a call to action for Africans and the global community to work together towards a brighter future. A future where Africa’s wounds are not just bandaged, but healed; where its people are empowered, its cultures are celebrated and its potential is unleashed.
Busuku benzolo!!
