The window of Africa

The posh, alluring, tilt and slide door-sized window. Or the fibreglass framed double-glazed glass French window. The Venetian blind of unspeakable price. Or the royal blue maybe deep violet chenille woven curtains and a tailor made organza blinder beneath. A well built window box with roses and tulips. Pots of beautiful flowers. A bundle of elegance! If that should be the implicit of Europe then Africa?

Like an old unattended weather beaten casement window. Grilled in testimony of the insecurity that is only the tip of the chagrin that wreaks the simple minds that make up the land's populace.

Right from the words go, countries are racing to industrialize trying to join the developed countries at the top. Roads, hospitality, agriculture, export and trade. All sectors are getting a boost. Everything around us maybe slowly but surely undergoing a revolution. Yes, everything around but what about ourselves? We developed the house but not the people inside. The kettle but not the food. The foothold of a population is a family- the window of Africa. Who are we building the country for?

Beyond the doors of struggle-the houses of the poor- dysfunctional families chained by the beliefs that should have expired long ago. Chauvinism and foolish practices. Domestic violence and irresponsibility. Hate and blame. Misunderstandings and complications. While we burn the innocence in the eyes of our children with the arguments and disagreement, we are slowly destroying the future. The child that ends up having a dictionary of insults and abuses. Twisted up characters as they grow.

The neglecting type aside, some parents give too much attention to their children. The glass wouldn't be used as a window if we were too concerned it would break. We give them everything, too much resource for a mind that is not ready. We are building their hearts using bricks of arrogance. Who is he that cries but does not become strong? Which is that, a wound that heals and does not make us stronger? A heart that knows not pain cannot bear compassion! We need to set them free in the compound of principles.

We need to develop our mentality, our beliefs, our outlook on life- we need to change ourselves so that we can achieve true development. We need to look at the future as we walk through today!