Africa needs honesty

I do not think that a lot of us have been honest enough with the problems bedevilling Africa.
My mother continent has not only been ignored but at times I find that some "experts" seem to prescribe one thing in the news or public fora and do something else in private.

There has been a lot of buzz lately about Africa, be it if adopting Malawian kids or simply visiting HIV orphanages.Its all good but sometimes unfortunately it leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth because some of these "shows" are for self aggrindisement.

Highlighting the plight of Africans has been well documented the question now is what do we do about it?
Celebrity visits to spas in some metropolitan city in Africa does not in any way equal bonding with the community.
What do we do about poverty eradication/minimisation? How do we close the gap between the rich and the poor?Not by myriad conferences...that I know, not by doubletalk and endless campaingns...that has not worked and will not work.
Lats go to the basics...What is the problem?
Poverty.
Why? Lack of resources...
Wrong.
Try again...
Poor management of the available resources.
Maybe. Whose fault?
The countries' politicians.
Wrong again.
The countries' politicians fuelled, oiled and services by the international community.
Yes. Very quick learner there!

These so called economic advisers are interested in protecting their interests aka keeping their jobs therfore the more they come up with long winded reports that have little to do with the suffering poor, the more they need more conferences to unravel the mystery and the more unlikely that they are about to retire any time soon.

Is HIV/AIDS a problem?
certainly. When the world's 75% of HIV population are in part of a continent then thats a problem. Right!

What have we doen about it?
Talk.
Talk.
More talk.

We have attended "fruitful conferences", workshops, seminars, focus groups, leadership drives, rallies, events, fund-raisers, concerts etc...
Results... less than 15% with acess to the much needed HAART.
Results...High death rates and under five deaths...
Results... we are still compiling the reports.

I do not in any way blame the International communities alone.

How many rich people in Africa with billions of dollars overseas?
Many.
How many contributing to worthy causes?
er..ehrr.. do not know.
Precisely the point.. may be none.
private-public partnerships with our very own institutions of higher learning by the locals almost non-existent.

Gentlemen and women, we need honesty. Please stop lying to yourselves here. We may be poor in finances but not in our brains. We see right through pretence, unfortunately we are on the receiving end from you, our politicians, experts, celebrities and ...what's your name and title
again?

Be serious.

Chite.