FORMER AFRICAN HEADS OF STATES AT WITS UNIVERSITY

Bate Felix

WITS University last week hosted the third African Presidential Roundtable that saw the participation of 11 former African heads of state.

An initiative of Boston University’s African Presidential Archives and Research enter (APARC), the roundtable seeks to give individuals and institutions opportunities that can directly impact development in Africa though various forms of discussions and initiatives with the former heads of states and decision makers.

In the first leg of this year’s roundtable held at the Wits Alumni club on west campus, the former heads of states, students and faculty members, members of government and business leaders focused discussions on issues which are perceived to be of critical importance to Africa’s continued growth and development.

The first issue to be addressed was a briefing on the Blair Commission for Africa Report by Commissioner Trevor Manuel who is South Africa’s Minister of Finance. The second discussion was on the perception of Africa in the American media.

The heads of states based their discussions on a 10-year study on how Africa was reported on and perceived in the American media. In the press briefing that followed the discussions, the forum commended Prime Minister Blair for launching the initiative, saying that it’s such concerted efforts that would foster Africa’s growth.

But this growth could be hampered by the image of Africa that is portrayed in western media. “This has profound relevance to everything from the world seeing Africa as a worthy investment venue, to it being a valuable partner,” said Joaquim Chissano, ex-Mozambican president.

After discussing the study, the heads of states came to the conclusion that media coverage of Africa over the past decade by leading American media was anything but fair and balanced. Joaquim Chissano, reading the press statement said: “Coverage of Africa, by the leading forces of American media, is, at best, dismissive of the dismissive of the continent’s progress and potential.”


Chissano said coverage of Africa was overwhelmingly negative, leading to its “exotification” and marginalisation, undermining democratic trends and showing an almost contemptuous lack of interest in the continent. He called on African institutions to develop strategies to counter these trends.

Former Ghanaian president Jerry Rawlings said African journalists should “put integrity above all and put Africa’s interest first,” while recognising that Africa was a global underdog.

The roundtable was organised in association with Dar-es-Salam (Tanzania), Ghana at Logon (Ghana), Morehouse College Atlanta (USA), and Elisabeth City State University North Carolina (USA) universities.

As part of the initiative, APARC has launched a programme which will see some of the former heads of state residing at participating universities. The aim of this “will be to provide the university and broader community with access to these leaders, who by virtue of their positions have a unique perspective on the political and economic dynamics in Africa,” said former US ambassador Charles Stith, director of APARC.