We need our names

It was several months ago, in 2015, when Isaac Phaahla was doing an After 8 Debate. During the topic, The History of Africa, he played the recording. In it Sakina Kamwendo, a regular host of the show, was interviewing Martin Meredith. He is a historian, author and journalist.

The listeners who wrote in were questioning the selection of Martin. There are Black historians who are equally capable of tackling the subject of this Continent just as competently, if not better.

 ‘History is richer when people of the land appreciate the perspectives of the not-natives. The English people love the self-mockery in their history when it’s being told by the French, for example,’ Martin argued.

There was also a time when he said ‘When England began its “intervention” in Africa...’ That’s it! SA FM has no shame inviting historians like this one!

Mohlokalebitso, whose car was crawling on November 1, towards William Nicol turn-off, came close to switching the radio off. Why are we not listening to Llaila Afrika, Credo Mutwa, Dambisa Moyo and George B. Ayittey? Hlaudi Motsoeneng, bring us our names!

‘African political leaders who mismanage the Continent’s economy are to blame for Africa’s poverty,’ Martin said.

Martin, Black Colonialists loot the money and stash it in Europe and in North America. They accept aid from those institutions. Tell us about the bank executives and Board members who accept the ill-gotten deposits from Africa; the bureaucrats who bind us to them through aid. We need an honest narrative! Why, then, are those banks not rejecting the money and returning it to Africa? Martin, Europe’s economy is steeped in plundering Africa!

                                                                                                          

'Churchill from Mpumalanga is on the line,' said Sakina. 'Good morning, Churchill.'

Almost all the callers greet and ask how the host is doing. She keeps saying she is well. Questions have preambles. Time flies. The show is soon over. This is Africa.

Churchill wants to know why native Africans are referred to as Black.

‘Black, like White, was originally a descriptive term, even though it is not accurate because I, for instance, am not white; I am pink…’ Martin replied.

Sakina cut in, ‘But at what point did Black become a derogatory term?’

‘It must have been the day Black people named their children Churchill!’ said Mohlokalebitso without waiting to hear the response from Martin.