 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
salimina
253 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Mar 2006 : 11:02:38
|
Yes, leadership is part of the problem but i think the problem is more of societal than individualistic.Individually we are great but collectively zero.What does that tells you?
Is it that our society needs major surgery? After yaya the next one might be little bit better but is he going to solve the real problems?we have seen Lumumbas, Sankaras,Nkrummahs, Sekou Toures etc, yes they have played their part, but is there any major difference?Still stuck in confusion and underdevelopment. Where are we heading to?Is it that what we are advocating for cannot be done in our life time?
Comments please!
|
Edited by salimina |
|
|
bamba
Sweden
401 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2006 : 14:07:39
|
| Salmina, as long as there is no cohesive black force, our present polarized black race is doomed to fail. We live in a world where the recipee for collective well-being is entrenched in a strong racial unity and solidarity. The present black race in disarray has the colosal task of preparing coming generations of blacks to cement themsevles in unity and solidarity for collective survival. |
Bamba |
 |
|
|
salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2006 : 14:23:50
|
Bamba,
I love that and i will always remember it. |
Edited by salimina |
|
|
|
kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2006 : 21:59:01
|
We do not have a sens of patriotism and we seem to lack a unifying base. Unless we are prepared to be each other keeper, have the desire and the will to serve the under priviledge, dedicate our selves to the cause of nation buliding then Gambians should be prepare for more hardship and the dream of becoming the singapore of west africa will be elusive.
Gambia is just a city by the standards of some countries- a population of less than 2 million. The widest point in the Gambia is 50 Kilimeters along the coast. It is a pity that we are where we are. I hate to say this but we have to teach serious civic education in our shools and may be have boot camps to rejuvenate in our youths the sense of patriotism. We do not have an iota of it in our blood stream. We are more individualistic.
I dont believe we are the smiling coast of west africa because deep down we are struggling hard and only pretending to be happy. We do not complain because that is seen as a sign of weakness and that hardship is a recipe for success in the hereafter. I beg to differ. Hence all the almodos in the country. There was a gentleman who was unemployed and worked as a day labourer one day and had only D10.00 to his name. When he was praying, he remembered that he left his hat where he was performing abolution and underneath was the D10.00. he stopped his prayers to get the money. How would you judge such a person. I believe hardship is a recipe for violence, hopelessness. An idle mind is a devils workshop.
My principal at Armitage used to say that "Education without religion produces nothing but clever devils". he may be right, but religion without comfort is a recipe for a wild surprise in the herefater. One has to be comfortable to worship properly, give Zakat, go for Hajj. This mentality that hardship is necessary makes us continue to accept oppression whilst deep down in us, or qiuetly in our huts lit by amber fire, complain bitterly and sometimes cry.
We have to be realistic and the smiling coast is nothing more than a gaping hole that leads to despair and hopelessness. this is written on our faces for those who can see beyond the "smiles". The society has to take the blame because it take s a village to raise a child. We are a reflection of our society. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
|
|
|
anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2006 : 00:26:06
|
Kondorong, are you saying that society is to blame because it makes it possible for Yaya and the likes to come up on top and stay in their positions?
I am very impressed by your posting, i have read it several times. It makes me sad, though. Probably because i think you are right in stating that the smiles are only there to hide the hopelessness. |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
|
|
|
Sankofa
58 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2006 : 00:45:14
|
kondorong
I cannot understand what you write above. who told you we are sad. go to kanilai and see the bukarabo dances, wrestling,. You see we slaughter cattle every day to feed the animals in the zoo. You need to join our party and you will smile all over. We have money, cars, land |
|
|
|
salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2006 : 10:07:55
|
Kondorong,
i do believe you. we got real problems at our disposal.school curriculum needs to be adjusted to fit our situations.In any strategic planning, if the plan does not fit the mindset it has to be discarded.The educational system we got in the gambia need to be revamp. What is the essence of education if it only breeds thiefs? Education that only brings hopelessness?
I think our problem is not only leadership crisis but collectively we cannot do a simple thing.Look at all the major institutions of our country.
Give petrol to a company driver, the following day the tank is empty.Revenue collectors has almighty right to do what they want to do with tax receipts or collection.Visist customs and see how the very poor scramble to get rich by tampering with imports.
A society of which thiefs ( when i mean thiefs i mean those who get rich by taking public funds)are honoured and perceived as if their riches is a gift from god. Strict public servants and law abiding are looked at as bad people or people who does not want anything. And most importantly, anything happened is decreed by God-the national concept.If this is the norm then why are we worried about leadership?If we have such a stagnant society how can we move on?
Attitudes are questionable. Sleaze and cronyism seems to be endemic. personal interest clouded our foresight. Adding all the weaknesses together definitely can rob the gambia of the leverage it needs to push for real development.
I think we have to wake up and remodel our beliefs and educational systems if not we can never get what we are advocating for.Accepting and taking in thoroughly what has been a success in other parts of world is not the solution. we have to weigh what is compatible with our culture and take on board and discard the remnants that are incompatible.Because in britain they got tax rebates(example)does not necessary mean that we should have that policy as well.That is an african problem. They thought whatever is in the west is definitely good for us whilst we differing social structures.
Failure to design our own programs that fits with our socio-cutural norms, chaos will always prevail.
Just to make a point. |
Edited by salimina |
|
|
|
twinkly
United Kingdom
190 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2006 : 10:53:41
|
What a great statement Salimina.
Also, I think a big problem is that many Gambians, most of whom haven't travelled, don't know their rights in their own country.Obviously,a corrupt system and police a.s.o. doesn't help, it confuses people.
You are absolutely right, I strongly believe and support the idea, that Africa needs its own way of developing.
If I think of all the villages, away from the tourist dev.area, the "real" Gambia, these people are even further away from Western development and it would hit them extremely hard if they had to change so many ways.
I don't see a bright future for culture....
kondorong
Your statement makes me think a lot.
First thing that comes to mind, and very sorry to bring this up, is tribalism.On the outside Gambians pretend there is no tribalism but deep down, you all know how most people think Maybe that's why there is no unity?Each tribe is worried that if the other one is leading the country, they will be undermined or not being accounted of.
|
|
|
|
kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2006 : 13:04:12
|
| Every single Gambian has a stake in the motherland and must either accept to assume some resposbilities of blame either directly or indirectly past, present and future; indidually, family connections, through tribe or ethnic group(s) and society at large. The isues of setback and under-development confronting us are very common at all levels of society which are embraced within corruption, greed, opportunism, lack of self-esteem, unpatriotism, jealousy, hypocrisy, lack of good education (i.e especially freedom of expression and access to facts in a democratic manner, good civic and political rights), no equity and independent justice system as you cannot impeach a Gambian President as the constitution is always disregarded and the calibre of politicians are mainly failure; naming only few weaknesses. It is of significance to highlight that average Gambians are mainly confused and totally dis-orientated if you want to share your ideals on issues and common problems. There is no solidarity to work together and don't gain any inspiration in our national anthem to consider national interest above evrything else. Finally some of us never attempt to use these forums to highlight our priorities, to forward genuine contributions inoder to make an impact to further educate and orientate others and inflence radical changes of individuals and society inorder to reap both political and socio-eceonomic benefits. Reader please note this is just an attempt to encourage everybody in the continuos debate until all of us are on track to listen each other and work together for the common good. |
|
|
|
salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2006 : 13:18:26
|
Kobo, kondorong,twinkly etc,
i wish this forum is the house of representatives, then the gambia will be wonderful country-if the magic of highest portfolio did not strike us.
I thank you all |
Edited by salimina |
|
|
|
Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2006 : 15:12:36
|
| I was hoping to go to the Gambia soon and surely will be in touch with my Bantaba.This is a university for me and I gain more init than anywhere.Salimina I agree. |
|
|
|
kajaw
70 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2006 : 16:52:03
|
| I was looking for something a little uplifting and then i came across the posting. It is both sad and uplifting at the same time. Sad because of the sad truth of our dilema. Uplifting becasuse many people seem to understand the problem. The problem is the society in general. We have allowed the culture of corruption to fester in our society. It is acceptable to be corrupt. If you are in a position of power in the gambia, you are expected by your family, friends and colegues to be corrupt. If you are not corrupt, you will be castigated as being irresponsible. I remember when i worlked at the Accountant Generals department. People used to compare me with my other colegues and ask me how come i am not as rich as them. Some of whom were payed far less than me. I suspected some of the activities they were involved in but suspecionis not enough. You cannot accues someone on rumors and suspicions. Yet i know someone who was earning less than D500 in 1989-90 who was able to buy land in old jeshwang, build it and got it furnished and owned a car. So my friends told me that if i rely on salaries alone, i will never be somebody. I had had offers of bribes etc but as an individual, i am responsible for my own dignity and would never trade it for money or position. So in answer to your question, yes it is societies fault but only good leadership could change it. When singapore gained independance in 1960. They were pretty much as poor as gambia but the then prime minister Lee set out to change that. It is aleged that he gathered his family together and informed them that whoever expects favors from the government marely because of family connections would be sadly dissapointed. I would not leave this hanging without noting that yes, lee was a dictator and infact, did many bad things but he did one thing right and that is governance. The evidence is there for everyone to see. |
|
|
|
Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2006 : 17:32:12
|
Hi Salimina,
That's one of the best points I've heard in a long time. It looks as if Gambia really needs some serious work put into its education system period. It was funny the other day in Gambia. I was listening to a Gambian youths opinion on the internet. He told me that " money and technology all come from the west and all are corruption. Plus he doesn't trust the net." All he wants to know from internet are the codes which he can break into the banks to thief out the money. That's why he is currently doing ICT.I was a bit surprised with his reason for studying ICT. Because, initally I was giving him some tips on how to surf for info. I just responded to him by saying "People can use the internet for positive or negative things." He concurred he goes yep life is like dat. I agreed by saying " that's why its good to do positive things in life." It's weird to measure the weight of shear hopelessness amomgst the youth really they are getting a raw deal, so much potential is being wasted by neglecting them because they are the future.
All around the triangle our young African men especially are being made redundant even before they start. Globalisation is another form of expliotation and i've seen how these youths who just need further opportunities to obtain skills to move them in a more positive direction in life are being pushed into a life of hustling to sell their souls to the devil. For a nice car,new trainers and oh yeah a ticket to Europe or the states. This trend is unsustainable for Gambia's development.500 years ago it was slaves being sold on Gambia's shores now it's a wholesale flesh market. It's a real tragedy.
What these youths need to know is who they are, what they can achieve, and to be given the opportunity to do something more constructive in their lives. Gambia definitely needs a better Social and Educational policy. And to clean up the tourist sex industry by giving young people wider opportunities to use their potential.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 30 Mar 2006 18:03:17 |
|
|
|
salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2006 : 17:45:21
|
I love you people. i been following your discussions for quite a long time then i decided to join in. i have read one of your advice to the gambian girl who had some problems with the authorities( immigration) and i was really impressed.
Thanks. |
Edited by salimina |
|
|
|
Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2006 : 18:04:26
|
Thank you my sister welcome aboard the bantabaa.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
|
|
|
salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2006 : 18:17:22
|
| sorry am a guy |
Edited by salimina |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
