1900
…the turning point
Up until now the outside world had displayed nothing but contempt for leadership in Africa’s achievements, values and beliefs. The turn of the century marked an intensification of leadership activity in Africa. Leadership in Africa had now come into contact with the wider world and was now facing a dilemma as to how to associate with it.
The fact that Africa suffered perhaps irreparably from its misadventure on the world stage up until 1900 is recorded history. The leadership loss incurred through the slave trade may never be quantified; neither will the cost of setbacks to the preparation of Africa to participate effectively in world affairs ever be determined. One could say that this misadventure continued well into the 20th century. However, this was to be so with some major differences.
Africa had been known as the “dark” continent. By 1900 Africa had opened its intra organization and had become more aware of its rich and multiple heritages. Leadership in Africa had come to appreciate that Africa had something that everyone else wanted. Much as the slave trade threw leadership out of its steadfast ways, it also opened leadership’s eyes to its neighbors and friends. The carving up of Africa introduced Africa to matters of inter-continental governance and national resistance. Kingdoms began to establish networks, communication structures and cooperation strategies. Leadership in Africa moved from isolation to consolidation of its capacity. The seeds of national leadership were planted in association, cooperation, education and organization. Leadership in Africa began to use informal order to organize resistance and outright rebellion with rising success.
THE AWAKENING
What caused the awakening? Was it just “the right time”? Why did it take so long? Could the movement have started earlier? What barriers delayed the awakening? Were they legal, logical, logistical or linguistical? These questions pose serious issues for organization and leadership anywhere. When does an organization achieve critical mass (leadership) to mobilize effective action? When the people know what to do, when there are enough recruits or when communication is effective. What empowered the people? What had changed? Did the cake have anything to do with it?