My African Dream

I am a son of Mother Africa, the cradle of civilization. Africa as its name indeed suggests is the birthplace, the land free from cold and horror. I can recall only two significant natural disaster events during my lifetime as an South African. I remember visiting with friends when an earthquake hit Ceres, South Africa on September 29, 1969. On August 29, 1999 a tornado hit Cape Town on a Sunday morning. I mobilized a recovery team to help with the mop-up operation. This tornado hit some of the poorest areas of Cape Town. Many families of the children in residential care at the agency I was directing at the time were overcome by this disaster. Three people were killed.
Africans just love the sunny skies, and braaivleis (barbecue) and long walks in the countryside. We will easily tell you that it is not far to go when in fact it will be a few more miles before we reach our destination. Africa is the second largest continent. My dad told me about the pre-eminence of the African Dream long before I started reading about the American Dream. Africa is still a dream destination for aspiring international travelers. Africa is still my dream, my escape and my refuge in a pristine environment surrounded by the sounds, sights and aroma of mother natureMother Nature.
When I became excited about Africa's greatness because the world's first heart transplant was performed at the Groote Schuur Hospital on December 3rd 1967, he told me about Africa's former glory years. He told me about Africa's ancient kingdoms. He told me about Egypt and its Kings and dynasties. He told me about Ethiopia whose lines ran back to King Solomon and queen Sheba. He told me about Cathage (present day Tunisia) being the capital of the Africa Province during Roman times. The Africa that I know is not comprised of mutually exclusive "tribal" nations. Trade missions and pacts existed in North Africa in spite of the absence of it in many written records. The existence of Mapungubwe as a trading post where Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa meet is one such proof. Archaeological excavations have made discoveries about this metropolis that thrived from 1050 AD to 1270 AD. Mapungubwe is regarded as South Africa's first kingdom
Hollywood movies and the media still portray a much skewed and negative view of Africa. The people of Africa are often ridiculed. This continent is currently known for its human crises, problems, conflict and the subsequent suffering of its peoples. This continent is known for famine caused by drought and other natural disasters. Most of the harm done to Africa has been done by people, people who were not born in Africa but who wanted what Africa had.