Africa; Beyond the Troubles

Aids, war and famine-Africa represents a continent in despair. That is often the prevailing Western view, according to award-winning novelist Chimamanda Adichie, the Nigerian author; she believes that this single story and negative purview of Africa is a barrier to her development. Thus, it is a story that needs rewriting and that is where Tribe Times comes in yet again to project African Affairs in a continent where media, arts, music, culture and tourism are capable of playing a key role in countering this dominant narrative and subsequently create a new story for African countries.

Last year, Africa dazzled the world with what is now described if you like as the most culture-centric World Cup ever leaving in its wake new global Afro-generic lexicons like Vuvuzela, Jagbulani and Kinako and of course, the unforgettable memories of Shakira's Zulu-inspired dance steps. Without doubt, the World Cup in South Africa helped to develop a new audience for the continent. Cultural events provide a sense of excitement and a sense of place that influence tourists' choice of destination. African music has the potency to magnetize global audiences from Zimbabwe to Zambia, Mali to Malawi, Ghana to Gambia, Nigeria to Algeria, who wouldn't be captivated by the beats and rhythm of Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, Hughes Mashekela, Yussou Ndou, Saliff Keita, Angelique Kidjo, Femi Kuti, Manu Dibango, Papa Wemba and the lists is endless. For Africa, music-tourism is capable of telling a new story, one that has direct economic impact and plays a key role in changing perceptions of Africa as a place of opportunity.

In Africa, the opportunity exists for countries to create events that marry cultural and economic interests and boost economies in Africa as music and festivals are attractive to tourists. There are clear business benefits in developing cultural events which attract tourists. For instance the Rio Carnival rakes in an estimated $ 500 million into the country's economy each year.

More than just the wars, aids, political turmoil's, economic upheavals- Africa must annex her cultural potentials. Across the tribes there are festivals which are an important part of the creative economy which according to UN report, have the potential to generate income and jobs while promoting social inclusion, cultural diversity and human development.