AFRICA’S CORRUPTION NARRATIVE

FROM Cape to Cairo, corruption is the common political mantra. Real or imagined the narrative is constant, consistent and pervasive.The deep inequality, poverty and class differentiation manifest in nearly all African states is tinderbox that is ever present for insurrection, division and mayhem.The very liberation struggle in Zambia and elsewhere on the continent was based on the desire to address inequality, represented by the racial divide which accorded privilege based on colour, with the white at the apex and the natives at the very bottom.After independence the search for equality has continued, this time between the political elite considered to enjoy privileges and therefore economic advantage compared to the majority poor.The narrative has thus changed from the colour divide to the “political elite” divide. In short therefore, every African leader is corrupt.Indeed, the late President John Magufuli of Tanzania was the rare gem who was not corrupt but was irrational, undemocratic and therefore wanting.Not even […]