Africa Today

Africa TodayAfrica Today

Economic Dependence, Urbanization, South Africa

Ending Economic DependenceEnding Economic Dependence

Colonial legacies left African nations dependent on western countries

How to become economically independent?


1. Develop agriculture No cash crops


2. Limit imports Goal is to export more than you import Sell more than you buy

Food exports

Ending Economic DependenceEnding Economic Dependence3. Dealing with a

population explosion Birth rates are

increasing Better health care =

lower death rate

Life expectancy

3. Dealing with a population explosion

Need schools, houses, and jobs

Must provide family planning to slow the birth rate


Economic GrowthEconomic Growth

Fastest growing African economies in 1999

Source: http://www.iss.co.za/Pubs/ASR/10No2/Trends.html


Fastest contracting African economies in 1999


African world exports of foodstuffs in 1980 and 1996


According to the United Nations in 2003,

26 out of 50 of the Least Developed Countries in the world are African.

UrbanizationUrbanization

Growth of African cities The percent of Africans living in cities

1990: ~25% 2003: 38% By 2025: 54%

Percent of U.S. population in cities 1990: ~75% 2003: 80%

WesternizationWesternization

Western cultureculture and technology technology is everywhere in African citiesWhy might that be?

Using western technology to develop, technology loaned from the West, etc.

Movies, magazines, etc.

Some Africans have begun to oppose westernization Islamic groups with ties to the Middle East are

against western influence They believe it glorifies individual desires and

material goods

WesternizationWesternization

The movie “Black Hawk Down” was based on true events in which African Islamic fundamentalists with ties to Osama Bin Laden attacked American helicopters in Somalia

Case Study: South AfricaCase Study: South Africa

South Africa has had trouble modernizing.After WWII (1948), the white Nationalist party

enforced racial segregation

Apartheid: rigid separation of races Nonwhites could not vote Could only hold certain jobs and live in certain areas

Apartheid continued through the 1960s

Protestors began fighting back They gained the attention of the world


The world began putting pressure on South Africa to stop apartheid

Nelson Mandela, a famous black African leader, was captured and imprisoned in 1964


Mandela was released from prison in 1990 When the first inter-racial elections were

held, he was elected as President of the new South African government



Mandela is still revered as a hero of civil rights among South Africans.

Arts and LiteratureArts and Literature

Art, music, and storytelling continue to play a large part in African culture since prehistoric times

Griot: traditional African storyteller Most African art focuses on the rich cultural

heritage of different regions

Arts and LiteratureArts and Literature

Africa Today

Entertainment & Humor

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