Westernization Or Scare Tactics?

A growing problem I am realizing is what terminology to use while blogging. Especially terms that describe a person or group of people. The integrity of my blog is based on using correct information no matter what my personal view is of the situation. While reporting on Somalia I keep running into words like insurgents, militants, and pirates. I was researching, I found that there is a story behind everything and they are stories that make you think twice about the terms we use to describe people.

Being a Leader in South Africa

South Africa is buzzing about newly elected President Jacob Zuma.  Many country men claim that Zuma is the first real South African leader the country has had.  Many are quick to add that past presidents – Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki – either came from royalty or were educated abroad unlike Zuma who in his words is a self-educated “farm boy”.  We have yet to find out the kind of leader Zuma will be and we got a glimpse of Mbeki with controversial support of Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe.  With political turmoil brewing between Mbeki and Zuma, Mbeki was forced to resign as President.  My mind wanders to what kind of President Nelson Mandela would have made if he were President longer than his 5 years.  I suppose I ask because I wonder how dictators arise in African countries.  Please understand I am not assuming or insinuating that Mandela would turn into a power hungry dictator, however, most dictators still in power today on the African continent did not set out to be ruthless.

Westernization in Africa?

I recently read an article discussing what might be a true problem plaguing some countries in Africa. It has been rare for me to read from an interpretation of someone who does not think that western models are always the way to go. Since forced colonization during the ‘scramble for Africa’ period, the peoples of Africa have been pressed to form governments and societies based off of western civilizations. But have we really not thought that this way may not be the best way for the countries of Africa? Very similar to how democracy doesn’t work in countries like Iraq?