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Africa Owns Time! by Mav4blast(m): 7:47pm On Feb 21, 2016 |
The rest of the world has watches, but Africa has
time.We’re never late to events; just not early enough
(except for our babies who are born prematurely and our
senior citizens who die promptly in their 40s). We borrow
generously from other’s scheduled appointments and
spend hours to introduce speakers at functions.
Africa has time. So, a simple “hello” or welcome is an
elaborate ritual, and a task of five minutes easily takes
3-7 days. Output is based on activity not productivity,
while work slated for completion forever ago are still
undergoing construction.
Though never in hurry, we don’t believe in wasting time.
Our effective use of time enhances economic growth. For
example, traffic delays and winding detours encourage
local tourism by allowing us do some sight-seeing of the
same old sights. And the bumpy roads actually provide
free massages and physical therapies, thus saving us
hefty hospital bills.
Since our culture believes in body art, in Africa, watches
are for decoration, not for time-keeping. Also, our
cultural concept of“African time” allows us to arrive at
meetings late—and when we eventually arrive, we start
the meeting late, and end late. Good meetings are
endless repetitions of the same things and echoes of
what others have already said. Forget about the
annoying sound that keeps ticking on the expensive,
gold-plaited and diamond-jeweled Western watches on
our wrists. They’re not to tell us time, for we have
better reminders of time…
Because Africa has time, expiry dates on food and health
products don’t really expire (after all, they are not valid,
they’re merely artistic decorations). And in the hospitals,
we can afford to wait long hours o see the doctor. The
worst that can happen is to be “called to glory” to
spend much more time— eternity—with our Maker. And
in the event of that, we can spare months in funerals, a
mere short period when compared with how much time
we already have—and will eventually have.
Our politicians celebrate our wonderful democracy by
high-sounding campaign promises that only those who
live as old as Methuselah will enjoy. And because we have
so much time our leaders want to be presidents for life.
Thanks to rigging ballots replacing ripping bullets--and,
in recent times, changing national constitutions to allow
our democratically elected politicians stay in power till
they die.
Our media, grateful for the freedom of the press,
maximize prime time by educating us on the usefulness
of frivolities and non-issues. Why shouldn’t they? Our
citizens seldom read, for they wisely spend the time
watching movies or European football. And, oh, we even
offer free adult education on radio by running live
commentaries in our local languages for those who have
no TVs to watch soccer matches between their favorite
European teams.
Our markets and shops have no fixed prices on goods,
hence we spend part of our time bargaining for right
prices. But no need to worry, we learn the skills of
haggling early enough by observing how our careful
drivers constantly negotiate with some of our honest
police officers at road checkpoints.
Because we have time, our college and university
professors can afford to catwalk to their lecture halls to
teach. And it’s perfectly okay on arrival for them to
utilize the time to read from the worn-out lecture notes
passed down by the colonial masters. Students in turn
reward their teachers by regurgitating for them what
they’ve devoted time to digest.
With so much time available, why would we need to sleep
during the night? After all, religious groups help us
utilize our wakeful moments by an endless supply of
free, high decibel drumming, praise songs,dance,
prayers, and regular prayer vigils. Should we ever feel a
need to sleep during day time, no problem; we can
always borrow the time while we’re at work—where we
spend the time sleeping. Yes, sleeping at work! Why not?
We need to catch upon sleeping time so we can continue
the all-night vigils which are part of the 40-day fasting
and prayer. Never mind, we can always add additional
time, extending the 40-day fast by two more weeks.
Did I forget to mention that, whereas some countries
keep time, in Africa we actually own the time? Yes we do.
In fact, Africa is the only continent that has an eighth
day of the week. We call it “Someday,” the day we
actually get most of our work done.
Because time is not such a big deal, we’re calm and laid
back. The only pressure we have is the annoying crowing
of the rooster, reminding us each morning that Africans
don’t really have time.
___________
(c) Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD, is a US-based
Ghanaian author, inspirational speaker, leadership
trainer, and advocate for youth empowerment. He is the
co-author of The Transformed Mind: Changing the World
by Being Changed. His other books on Africa include
"Africa Must Think" and "The African Giant." You can
read his weekly thought nuggets at: http://
eaglesonline.org/weekly-nuggets/ |
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