1. Posted on Tuesday 10 April 2012 - 12:00

   ---

   AfricaNews editor

   • Profile
   • 4542 messages

   ---

   Article by James N. Kariuki

   Professor William Gumede of Wits University in Johannesburg has recently released an anthology, The Poverty of Ideas. Its core message is that Africa inherited a culture of corruption from its history. The book is not bent on blaming "the other" for corrupting Africa; it focuses on the unintended consequences of the historical interaction.

   

   The ultimate objective of the book is to contribute to the discussion on combating the widespread and stubborn problem of corruption in post-colonial Africa. According to Gumede, Africa’s anti-corruption efforts have repeatedly failed largely because its root causes are not correctly understood.
   
   Thus, Poverty of Ideas seeks to enhance our understanding of the causes of the cancer of corruption so that we are better prepared to handle the problem effectively.  What are the salient ideas in the book?
   
   The colonial elite centralized virtually all power around themselves. Inevitably, key jobs were taken by kith-and-kin fellow colonials. The institutions that ordinarily serve as watchdogs against wrongdoing were manned from this colonial buddy-buddy system of the ‘ruling elite.’  Those colonial institutions owed their existence to the colonial elite; indeed they were an integral part to it. The ability of those institutions to demand accountability from the government was entirely compromised.
   
   Post-colonial Africa inherited those inherently corrupt institutions and values of the colonial order. In that way, the traditional anti-corruption instruments continued to be crippled by that inheritance. The more things changed, the more they remained the same.
    
   Colonial production in the private sector was mostly geared to exporting to the metropolis as prescribed by the European mercantile system. For this purpose, actors in the private sectors required the cooperation of the colonial governments of the day to facilitate the exporting process.
   
   The economic survival of the private sector actors was too heavily dependent on the authorities for those actors to constitute credible governmental critics. It would have been absurd to expect those private sector elite to hold the government accountable. The colonial news media was similarly hamstrung.
   
   At independence, few career professionals existed among the indigenous people. Indeed, the local communities were horrendously poor given their near-complete absence in the formal sectors. Jobs and opportunities had to be found for the cadres of the anti-colonial struggle, a task undertaken by the state. This was a situation grossly susceptible to corruption.
   
   Uhuru brought the “spoils” of the anti-colonial struggle. And the cadres of that struggle saw themselves as fist-in-line for the spoils. To them, the national cake was an entitlement to be distributed according to understood political patronage.
   
   In this scenario, it was an inherent right for the cadres to expect preferential treatment in getting the bulk of the spoils.  All that was required was a bona fide inclusion in the indigenized buddy-buddy system derived from political, ethnic or regional correctness relative to the center of power.
   
   In post-colonial Africa success was not based on merit or hard work; it was dependent on political connectedness. Unsurprisingly, new developmental projects launched to supersede the colonial economy were doomed from the word go. This was the case because their management was entrusted to unqualified cronies, a heritage of the colonial patronage system. In this sense, corruption has indeed continued the under-development of Africa
   
   Private sectors in post-colonial Africa continue to be too frail and docile to press for accountability from the government of the day. Occasionally, the liberation governments embarked on policies of creating an indigenous capitalist class. Unfortunately, in most instances, political capital was the basis of these new economic formations.
   
    Political leaders usually acquired economic interests in the newly formulated arrangements. Again merit was not the relevant criterion for entry. Beneficiaries from such set-ups will not hold the government accountable. After all, one does not bite the hand that feeds him. 
   
   Prior to independence, the colonials lived in nauseating opulence considering the poverty that surrounded them. They indulged in huge expensive mansions, comfortable automobiles, overseas shopping trips to the metropolis and lavish parties. Culture of tightening belts and hard work was virtually non-existent.
   
   When their time came, post-colonial indigenous elite emulated the same colonial elite’s culture of conspicuous consumption as the standard of ‘success.’ They had inherited an appetite for consumption without corresponding imperative for developmental initiatives.
   
   Liberation movements were by their nature secretive. They needed it to survive the preponderance of power of the white ruling establishments. Unfortunately, post-colonial governments maintained the culture of obsession with secrecy, a feature that further enhances the spread of corruption. 
   
   Africa needs a resolve to evolve a new culture that awards merit, hard work and high morals. Struggle credentials are not enough; transgressions must be named and shamed. This is the task of the news media which must become more vigilant in keeping the spotlight in the wrongdoers.  Corruption must be publicly exposed and punished.
   

   ---

   ---

Reactions

1. Posted on Tuesday 25 September 2012 04:38

   ---

   asion

   

   
   7 berichten
   Lid sinds August 2012

   ---

   Useful read shared in this thread having great useful material which is much helpful one for many persons to required knowledge.Handbags purses

   ---

   ---

2. Posted on Wednesday 31 October 2012 17:19

   ---

   randyjames

   

   
   260 berichten
   Lid sinds October 2012

   ---

   Real clear internet site, appreciate it for this post. vimax Outstanding news it is really. I've been waiting for this content.

   ---

   ---

3. Posted on Friday 02 November 2012 08:08

   ---

   GarrettHughen51

   

   
   134 berichten
   Lid sinds November 2012

   ---

   I dugg some of you post as I cogitated they were very helpful very beneficial. male enhancement I was looking at some of your content on this site and I conceive this internet site is really instructive! Keep on putting up.

   ---

   ---

4. Posted on Thursday 08 November 2012 03:42

   ---

   ColletteRomano91

   

   
   127 berichten
   Lid sinds November 2012

   ---

   Magnificent website. Plenty of helpful info here. I am sending it to several friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks in your sweat! vigrx plus Yay google is my queen aided me to find this outstanding internet site!

   ---

   ---

5. Posted on Wednesday 05 December 2012 04:47

   ---

   GinoSkrip100

   

   
   151 berichten
   Lid sinds November 2012

   ---

   I think other web site proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and wonderful user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You're an expert in this topic! vigrx plus I have not checked in here for some time as I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it friend

   ---

   ---

6. Posted on Monday 17 December 2012 11:47

   ---

   tonysatrio

   

   
   217 berichten
   Lid sinds December 2012

   ---

   Liberation movements were by their nature secretive. They needed it to survive the preponderance of power of the white ruling establishments. Unfortunately, post-colonial governments maintained the culture of obsession with secrecy, a feature that further enhances the spread of corruption.
   Vimax Singapore
   Vimax France

   ---

   ---

7. Posted on Thursday 17 January 2013 03:32

   ---

   GinoSkrip100

   

   
   151 berichten
   Lid sinds November 2012

   ---

   This site is my inhalation, rattling great style and design and Perfect articles. best male enhancer hello!,I really like your writing very a lot! proportion we keep up a correspondence extra about your article on AOL? I require a specialist on this area to unravel my problem. Maybe that's you! Looking ahead to look you.

   ---

   ---

8. Posted on Monday 04 February 2013 05:06

   ---

   ChristopherEzell23

   

   
   131 berichten
   Lid sinds November 2012

   ---

   I do consider all of the concepts you've offered in your post. They're really convincing and can certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are very short for novices. May you please lengthen them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post. top male enhancement products fantastic points altogether, you simply gained a logo|emblem|branda new reader. What could you recommend about your put up that you just made some days in the past? Any certain?

   ---

   ---

9. Posted on Thursday 07 February 2013 09:14

   ---

   MartinaBurket83

   

   
   89 berichten
   Lid sinds February 2013

   ---

   Fantastic items from you, man. I have remember your stuff previous to and you are just extremely wonderful. I actually like what you have obtained right here, certainly like what you are saying and the best way through which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you continue to care for to keep it sensible. I can't wait to learn much more from you. That is really a great web site. vigrx Really great visual appeal on this internet site, I'd value it 10.

   ---

   ---

10. Posted on Thursday 28 February 2013 06:48

    ---

    KennyPacer14

    

    
    86 berichten
    Lid sinds February 2013

    ---

    I have not checked in here for some time as I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it friend vigrx I was suggested this website by way of my cousin. I'm no longer certain whether or not this submit is written by means of him as nobody else recognise such certain about my trouble. You're wonderful! Thanks!

    ---

    ---

11. Posted on Monday 01 April 2013 10:06

    ---

    bebe

    

    SDF SDFSDFDF
    60 berichten
    Lid sinds April 2013

    ---

    34Advice To Plan The Very Best Wedding party At any time
    
    Many individuals would say that relationship is amongst the most significant daily life techniques a person will experience. Sadly, arranging a wedding event can occasionally become a challenging and strenuous occasion to organize. The fee for wedding parties and strong preparing can anxiety the calmest of men and women. This short article contains suggestions and ideas to help you prepare a lovely wedding effortlessly.
    
    If you fear that individuals won't want to provide you with cash wedding event gifts since they don't have a lot of money to provide, add a "funds box" with the front door in your wedding party. Company are inquired inside the traditional invitations to create their gift Gucci Scarpe in a unmarked envelope, permit them to place it within the pack anonymously and Broncos Welker Jersey Womens decreasing any a sense of guilt they might truly feel.
    
    Set individuals in your wedding together in furniture of people who have similar likes and dislikes, interests, or jobs. That will allow them to have some thing to speak about whilst they appreciate their meal in the wedding party, and lowers any difficult emotions for the company. You would like the day being perfect and special for everyone in attendance!
    
    Speak to your family and friends with regards to services to your wedding. You Borsa Gucci will never know when you may have an ignored general who deals with audio or food preparation. You can even find that your friends have connections to support experts who can offer you a discounted price because of the referral.
    
    Wedding parties are likely to bring about a variety of feelings with the family and buddies. It really is quickest that you should simply independent your wedding event organization from your personalized lifestyle instead of allowing it to get in the way of your daily life and causing trouble. Independent the wedding ceremony particulars and you may be on your way to a significantly significantly less anxious wedding prep phase.
    
    General online windows registry providers allow couples to add items to their registries from practically any on-line merchant. This really is a great way to make purchasing gift items handy for your loved ones family and friends are able to use their favored charge cards Nike Air Max to help make transactions, take advantage of on-line special offers, and retail outlet for the best price ranges.
    
    Wait around before making major wedding party selections. When you visit see a location that you are currently sure you like, don't placed down a downpayment right away. Go house, look at several other places, and create a selection then. Creating impulse choices may cost you more cash along with a life time of regret so be sure you think around you are able to.
    
    Provide a swatch of materials from your wedding gown along with you once you purchase your footwear. This will help to complement the shades or find a coordinating color, if that is what you decide to do. There are so many different versions of bright white when you only choose bright white footwear, you're likely to have it completely wrong. Using a swatch will help you make the correct choice.
    
    As was reviewed at the outset of this short article, a wedding event is really a momentous occasion, but is ridden with various choices and expenses. Preventing the strain related to preparation marriage ceremonies can be difficult for several. Apply the recommendations Monster Beats Pas Cher with this report and you will definitely be moving toward planning for a excellent wedding event.

    ---

    ---