African Leaders have a lot to answer for....

[Michael Alexander]

Here is part of a disturbing photo that appeared in yesterdays Namibian...

[Paula Gottsch (Willson)]

those kind of pictures just make me want to cry!



:emot78:

[SandyB]

Dont  quite  know  how to  couch the  words incase I get called something .. but here  goes ///

An inbuilt  ability  to  destroy  anything  that  has  potential to  be  good  or  for  the  good  of  mankind ... ??

[Gordon Brown]

Dont  quite  know  how to  couch the  words incase I get called something .. but here  goes ///

An inbuilt  ability  to  destroy  anything  that  has  potential to  be  good  or  for  the  good  of  mankind ... ??

The sum of Africa's misfortunes are found in its wars, corruption, droughts and despotisms. Most African states are effectively bankrupt, heavily indebted and subject to dictatorial rule. Africa needs less aid; estimated at one trillion dollars to date;and more good governance. The wealth is here in its natural resources but very little filters down to where it is most needed.

[Bertie Horak]

Regarding the photo - One year after it was taken, Kevin Carter received the Pulitzer prize for it.  Two months later, on 27 July 1994, he committed suicide.   ....Wonder how much images like that had an affect on his mood...  I know it would haunt me forever.  Cant help getting a lump in my throat - reality sucks!

[Bertie Horak]

I agree Gordon, I am sure the so-called "aid" doesn't reach the biggest pool of people who really need it.  With good governance first, sane structure second, and proper distribution plans which is properly managed, relief to the suffering millions will be more successful.

[Michael Alexander]

Gee, Bertie thanks for that info , the guys at work will be interested to hear that....

[Malcolm Bertoni]

Hi Guys

I worked in Kenya and Tanzania for 18 months in 2000/2001 for a big American IT company. 
It was a unique experience especially seeing the state of the two countries regarding poverty, AIDs and government corruption.  Kenya especially gets huge amounts of aid and most of it goes into government officials pockets.  The failure of foereign aid is well documented and the World Bank estimates that there is billions of US dollars in Swiss and foreign banks belonging to gov officials.  Nothing has changed and many of the countries are still where they were at independence 40 or 50 years ago.  So in real terms they have moved backwards in comparison to the rest of the world. 

There is no easy solution. Perhaps government accountability is a good start.  Zimbabwe is a classical example.

As Gorgon says - no aid really gets down to where its needed.

[georg ruf jr.]

I think Gordon was refering to the "wealth" African countries have. That the dictators make sure the money goes to there Swiss bank instead of where it's needed. In the end many people feel responcable to rais funds.

[Paula Gottsch (Willson)]

I feel bad that I don't donate more, the only reason that I don't is because I don't believe it's getting to the ones that should be getting it, I don't want to be the one helping some corrupt ass put money in his own pocket.

[Delia]

At first when i saw that photo on the forum (seen it before tho' & always touches something deep inside me) the name Ken Oosterbroek came to mind - he was also a photographer and close friend of Kevin Carter.  They were both members of the "Bang Bang Club" - the "club" consisted of 4 photographers who were active in the SA townships during the apartheid years.  Sadly Ken was killed in skirmishes while photographing in Tokoza in 1994 just before the elections which they supported deeply. Makes me wonder who fired the fatal shot...........
 
"War doesn't determine who is right, war determines who is left".
– Bertrand Russell (1872-1970), English philosopher, author, 1950 Nobel Prize-winner in Literature

[georg ruf jr.]

That's so true Delia.That brings me back to the question I've asked in several topics: "What is revenge good for?".
War also works (at least one of the factors) on a basis of revenge.

[Delia]

On a lighter note George jnr, what's the old saying? - "when the going gets tough, women go shopping, men invade another country"............

[georg ruf jr.]

To true Delia. that's one point that makes you feel ashamed of being a man. Crazy world. The same thing with crime. Mostly men!

[Delia]

Don't be too hard on yourselves georg nr - you can't help it........
  - peace offering.........

i'll let you into a little female secret - as much as we bitch and moan about you men, we secretly love having you around, you keep us on our toes - life would be boring without the men and all the sh*t they give us in our lives (to a certain degree, some sh*t we can just plain do without)...there you go, now you know........i speak for myself mostly but deep down i'm sure most women agree........