Change From Within

The 50th anniversary of colonialism in so many countries in Africa this year had me thinking about your story Shades of Freedom [August Issue] and the effect this legacy of the past has on our youth. I agree with your writer that youth in Africa need access to state services to become more effective. But also many of our youth are lazy. Just bone-idle. This is not speculation, it is fact. I have seen with my own eyes in travel across Africa the attitude of a lot of our youth.

Young people, of all nations, need to realize that nobody owes them anything. You create your own destiny. Stop waiting for miracles and make things happen. It does not matter about your circumstances. Look at the story of the young boy in Malawi who electrified his village with scraps and knowledge from books, which ChinAfrica wrote about (February 2010 Issue). That is a good example of what a positive attitude can achieve. I am tired of hearing the moaning about what governments and other organizations are not doing. It is time African youth shape their own destiny. Energy follows thought and believe it or not there are people willing to help the youth if they see that the youth want to help themselves. Life is not fair – get over it.

I call on the African youth to start taking a long hard look at themselves and realize that on this continent of conflict, disease and corruption there is also hope. It is our hope as adults that our youth get off their backsides and become movers and shakers. You don't need handouts or elaborate government programs to make a change. It comes from inside you.

 Serilia Maata

Cameroon 

Culture Comfort 

I would like to send my best wishes to you for your efforts at ChinAfrica. As a Chinese living in Tunisia I found copies of the magazine at the Chinese Embassy and enjoyed the information inside. Even though I live in Africa I learned a lot from your magazine and especially enjoyed the cultural stories, which bring back many memories to me about my motherland. I also like the stories about the lives of Chinese in Africa, as I can know what those people are going through and how sometimes it is not easy to be transplanted to another country. As a businessman here in Tunis I have a good relationship with the local people and I think your magazine can do a lot to cross bridges between people here. It is a pity it cannot be sold in the bookshops. I hope in future it can? Good luck to all your staff. 

Li Huangwei

Tunis