Africans steering Africa to Greatness
Many have looked at the social, economic, and political conditions of our country, as well as the entire continent, and taken the view, based on fear, that the country is going to the dogs, and many more will agree with them. Yes, if some things continue as they are, then we might head for the doghouse. However, for those with a positive mindset, and a belief that things will ultimately come right, we are not headed for the dogs. We are instead, without a doubt heading towards the victory of the promised land.
There are many citizens of our country and continent, young and old, to thank for this. All over Africa, there are individuals, in millions, who have decided to invent products, services, and a myriad of social and economic initiatives to address the challenges of unemployment, food shortages, and stagnant communities. Through their dedication, zeal, and the hordes of people that they employ and families that they provide income to, as well as the numerous people who support them in their endeavours, we will see the positive changes in our communities.
However, despite their enthusiasm, they face a particular challenge, the competition with long-established, well-known, and therefore trusted foreign brands. For them to succeed, and therefore for our country and continent to succeed, we as the citizens, must help to fast-track them. We must help to make them visible to increase trust in their brands, sales, and growth. We need to be at the front, back, sides, and centre of these businesses and initiatives - buying from the young men and women who have entered the textile industry, consulting with the doctors and lawyers who have set up shops in our communities, and then telling one another how great they are. I'll argue further and say that even if the service wasn't that great, shout about them anyway so that they can continue learning and sharpening their skills.
The benefits of supporting these businesses and initiatives cannot be over emphasised, and I will repeat: African talent, businesses, and initiatives create employment; which in turn puts food on the tables of many African households in need, educates children, builds schools and clinics, and even solve water problems. All of this, combined with myriads more benefits that I can't list in this one small article, create a dignified and confident nation that can dig itself out of anything.
Dr Sifiso Falala, founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sovereign Africa Ratings, has started doing this and is now asking you to join him. He has put his money and sweat in establishing The African Genius Award (AGA), whose purpose is to expose Africa's talent and excellence to both Africans and the world. He wants Africans to feel proud of their country, themselves, and their abilities, and to begin supporting local and intercontinental talent and efforts. He also aims to give foreign investors a faithful view of the continent, its citizens, and its economic potential.
Dr Falala is convinced that making Africa's excellence known will help bring social and economic growth, cohesion, and stability to the continent. His role as CEO of Sovereign Africa Ratings fuels his understanding of the close ties between the efforts of African talent and businesses and the continent’s credit rating.
To assist Dr Falala and others who have started on this journey, and to keep Africa from the doghouse, we are asking you to push and steer Africa by nominating individuals among you who are working to make the country and continent great again. Nominations are open year-round on the African Genius Awards website or the priorityperformance.co.za website.
To kick-start your support of African businesses across the continent visit Zandaux, a business-to-business trading platform based in Kenya and started by Kenyan citizen Franck Obambi Ngatse. For Africa-wide political and economic insights and how the world's and other African countries' political activities may impact your country's economy, visit Jambo Africa Online by the South African-born Mr. Saul Molobi.
