1. MANDELA
There's an almost Messiah-like reverence for the political prisoner turned apartheid-abolitionist, Nobel Peace Prize winner and Former SA President Nelson Mandela, so that every celebrity worth their salt has taken a picture with him. Numerous books and films have been produced to celebrate his achievements (from Invictus to the recent Winnie starring Jeniffer Hudson and Terrence Howard) and his status as respected elder-statesman of the world is unrivaled.
Nelson Mandela: The world's best loved African leader
2. FOOTBALL WORLD CUP
Then there was the 2010 World Cup. The first ever to be held in Africa was of course in SA. Now this makes sense because in terms of the country's advancements in technology and infrastructure, it is by far the most suitable and best prepared country in Sub-Saharan Africa to hold such a prestigious event. Even SA's ability to have continuous electricity trumps Nigeria's NEPA failures. But I was jealous that South Africa was yet again feted by the worldwide community for this impressive feat. I wish it were Nigeria. But alas, even our footballers, once our pride and joy (and former Olympic Gold medal winners!) failed us.
3. MEDIA
Around the world numerous books have been written (Cry, The Beloved Country) multiple documentaries (Rough Aunties), popular films (Cry Freedom, Sarafina, District 9) plays, column inches and charities have been dedicated to South Africa. Although Nigeria gave the world Fela Kuti and our writers like Chimamanda Adichie continue to excite the literary world, our country doesn't elicit the same level of fascination, romance and interest as South Africa does.
Fela Kuti: Nigeria's best known musician
And out of the seven Black men that have won the Nobel Peace Prize, three were South African.
4. TOURISM
There's also the general beauty and tourist-friendly appeal of cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg which attract visitors. With world-class accommodation, picturesque beaches, beautiful vistas and natural amenities to enjoy I'm not surprised. But I am jealous. I wish Nigeria's tourist industry was equally well-developed. We have the potential: beautiful beaches, the best cuisine, great history and beautiful areas in Abuja and Lagos. But we lack the security to ensure visitors' safety, and the development and promotion of some of these areas let us down, as does the air and land travel difficulties (bad roads, shambolic airports)
Abuja, Nigeria
South Africa is as well known for its high crime rates, in fact more well known than Nigeria's, yet the country still manages to be the foremost African destination for tourists, film-makers and travellers. Some will say the large white minority help to keep the country developed and affluent and draw people in, and there's some truth in that.
But Nigeria has the potential to be the first all-Black giant of commerce and advancement in Africa. We have the funds (oil money), an eager labour-force, the skills and the resources. Greed and lack of foresight has stunted our growth in the areas of good government and tourism so far, but I still believe we can do it. One day...
Until then, I will continue to view South Africa's high profile success with envy and think: "If only that was Nigeria!"
am also jealous too!!! i wish all these is happening to Nigeria . .we have all it takes to be a great nation . .. . can't still figure out the missing puzzle inhibiting Nigeria's progress to the top.
ReplyDeleteThe missing puzzle: careless politicians.
ReplyDeleteI came across this blog by chance and me being a South African would mostly agree with you but have to be cautious of over-celebrating South Africa as this shining example of what a true African democratic success story should be. After all we are babies, only 17 years old as democracy! I'm Black SA and have a lot admiration for Ghana who's democracy has been going strong for over 50 years. I think Ghana in many ways is the Africa's truest but not fully recognised giant. Sure Nigeria has the population numbers and mineral wealth but generally has been very mismanaged by greedy politicians. I would call Nigeria the misled giant...I hope SA is half as successful as Ghana has been in it's democracy in 50 years time but only time will tell. But what keeps me hopeful is that a lot of mid class Black SAN's are starting to question their loyalty to the ruling ANC as this party has been found lacking in good governance and accountability.So hopefully our struggle and agitate history will save our country form typical African greedy politician syndrome. The free press helps immensely as well...I would put that as something I would envy about my country. Thank God for the free press enshrined in our progressive constitution!
ReplyDeleteI do not jealous S.Africa because of so many reasons.
ReplyDelete1. If Mandela has drove all white people away after post Apartheid. Mandela would never have gotten this popularity, White people in S.A would have been forced to go away and S.A would therefore get a very bad media propaganda.
S.A is seen as Europe despite its geographical location in Africa, so long the whites have a say, S.A will ever continues to enjoy GOOD IMAGE media.
Zimbabwe or call it Rhodesia was once good like South Africa, things capsized because he demoted all white farmers and bring back the properties to the African farmers.
Mandela, says you can play and eat with the devil. Mandela knows exactly what he want, not that he did not have pain jailed as a freedom fighter.
Nigeria is a different world- especially the Northern Muslim / Igbos and Yoruba can of course understand themselves. Fula and Hausa in Nigeria is like 2 country in one. Southerner befriended themselves anywhere in the name of Nigeria. Hausa will be best with a Somali, Tunisia Niger all in the name of so called Religion. S therefore, Problems in Nigeria as compared to Ghana, SA is very different. Not until when Fulas /Hausa see themselves as Nigerian with sense of belonging and not Religion, we will always have this problems of Tribalism.
Hausas are outskirt, more problem for the nation, but they are the best behaved people. But they will better off with Niger or their other fellow Muslim states and not Nigeria.
I just re-read your comments above Anonymous and I have to agree with your assessments of Hausa/Fulanis as relating more to religion than nationality, as well as Ghana being the unsung hero of Africa in terms of their long-term democracy and stability.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that the difference between Mandela's success and Mugabe's failures was Mandela's ability to work with the white people. In their hate/haste, African leaders expelled white settlers forgetting that it was mostly them who kept the country running.
Thanks for your insights!
@Fulani-Nigerian
ReplyDeleteI must differentiate myself from the other anonymous; I'm the first one who commented in May. I'm South African and the 2nd anon person doesnt sound like they have a deep understanding of SA's complex politics. Yes he/she's right to some extent that new SA is a compromise but what's not a compromise is the freedom enshrined in our constitution. So again I would say thank goodness for our progressive constitution which gives us the free press that we enjoy. A lil' known fact is that Ghana is the only country in Africa(think the only one) that is rated as having the freest press. So for me Ghana is trully examplary for us all and South Africa could learn a lot from them.
From; Khanyi
PS: I enjoy your blog and Im glad I stimbledupon it. I find Nigeria; the country very fascinating and have always suspected that the Nigerian community in SA that mostly resides in Hilbrow is not the best representation of your country.
i love your blog i am getting really educated readiing it
ReplyDelete