African Union Announces Advisory Council and Peace Ambassadors

The AU has taken inspiration from the UN and has announced Advisory Councillors and Peace Ambassadors to help bring about stability around the continent.  The list is impressive and diverse, from former presidents and powerful businessmen appointed as Councillors to sports personalities and musicians named Ambassadors, including Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, President F. W. De Klerk, Mo Ibrahim, Graca Machel and Professor Wangari Maathai, as well as Micheal Essien, Maria Mutola, Angelique Kidjo and Youssou N'Dour.

The BBC's Africa Have Your Say  has started a debate about it. People are predictably skeptical.  It always irritates me when people provide diatribes, lamenting the state of Africa that completely ignore any positivity in the situation, instead of insight and ideas for change.


Without hope there is no way for progress.

Instead of shutting every idea down and being skeptical, try a little faith my fellow Africans and be proactive to to find a way to a better tomorrow.  Passive aggressiveness, anger and spite are not helpful really: They are debilitating - they poison the mind and dishearten the soul. I think it is great that we are taking the initiative to use Peace Day as a way of reinvigorating dedication to bettering Africa, using our own accomplished and prominent figures, both on the continent and globally, to lead the way.  Homophily is a powerful thing.  As much I am a fan of the Angelina Jolies and Bonos in the world, them turning up to a village to help perpetuates the notion that an outsider has to come for us Africans to be saved.  Having someone African coming to our aid sends a profoundly potent message - that we too have the initiative to change our fates for the better :)

What will you be doing on the 21st of September?

Desmond Tutu Announces His Imminent Retirement

Archbishop Tutu, one of Africa's most prized ambassadors has announced that he will be withdrawing from public life, set to retire by February 2011.  His presence in local and global affairs will be greatly missed.  However, we will not forget his great deeds that have superceded his physical presence.  When his name is invoked, we will remember the humanity, compassion, peace, love, courage, community, unity and humility that he stood for, as well as the passion that he had for South African, African and global affairs, seeking to emulate him however and whenever we can.

His most notable accomplishments are receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his efforts championing the anti-Apartheid cause in South Africa and around the world, leading him to create his own organisation - The Desmond Tutu Peace Centre, to continue the legacy he created.  He also headed the Truth and Reconcillation Committee set up by South Africa's first ANC government to help South Africa soothe and heal the wounds Apartheid inflicted.  He is also among the select group of accomplished global leaders that compose The Elders, congregated by Nelson Mandela to tackle global issues such as the situation in Zimbabwe, and equality for women and girls. Eminent Africans Koffi Annan and Graca Machel are included in the ranks too.  

It is only fitting include some wise words from the man himself.  Here are his thoughts on leadership, which reminded me of a Nelson Mandela quote: "It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur.  You take the front line when there is danger.  Then people will appreciate leadership."

I just have a bit of advice for Archbishop Tutu (I know really what can I offer to such a man?!).  If he has to drink Rooibos tea during his retirement, can he make it into iced tea because really that tea tastes like the devil unless its taste is masked by lemon and lots of sugar (As you can see not much to offer at all)!! And I hope all you dudes took note of how he wants to make hot chocolate for his wife and actually wants to spend time with her because he believes she is the best decision he ever made.  He is inspirational in every way!

How can you not adore this man! He believed that the World Cup was the most notable event in South Africa since the end of Apartheid. I too believe it will have positive ramifications in both South Africa and the rest of the continent.  Here is a video of  him demonstrating World Cup and Nelson Mandela fever.  It also shows how even though he deals with serious issues on a daily basis, he is also a little bit silly! Further proof to support my belief:

You have to have a bit of youthful silliness in your life in order to be a positive instrument of change in this world ;}.