Hope yet for Africa

AN AFRICAN tendency to disparage ourselves is often reinforced by a condescending attitude by others. As the world’s poorest continent, many things do not seem to work (as well as in other places), which affects our self-confidence.Last weekend, however, there was reason for the continent and the watching world to sit up and take notice of a truly positive side to Africa. The final of the Africa Cup of Nations was an enriching experience that showed that not all hope is lost yet.The two teams in the final of our premier sporting event played world-class football that could be at par with the game anywhere. Cameroon, the eventual winners, and Senegal, worthy finalists, put on a professional performance that is worth emulating in other spheres of life.Finally, African teams portrayed defensive discipline, an area that has often been found wanting in the continent’s game. But this did not come at the expense of a hallmark tradition, flair in attack.Blending flair with discipline in a professional performance should stand the two teams, who are headed for the World Cup later this year, in good stead against the rest of the world.The footballers have shown us that a lot can be achieved through a professional, technical approach. Whether in administration, planning, business, the social services or security, the continent can be transformed through a focused, disciplined approach. We cannot, of course, achieve much in isolation, just as the weekend’s magnificent football must have been influenced, to some measure, by the players’ experience in the more advanced leagues in Europe where they play their club football.We can, if we are well focused, blend our vast resources (human, agricultural, mining, water, infrastructure) with technical expertise from without, in a professional manner to make our countries a much better place.