'Capitalist Nigger' by Chika Onyeani

I can't even believe I wrote that word - 'nigger' - I don't think I've even said it more than 3 times in my life but it's the title of a very hot book here right now that basically is criticizing the emerging black middle class for becoming consumers and not wealth builders. The author's point, which I love, is that black South Africans should be focussing on manufacturing value for the black economy (ie. a black-owned restaurant chain or video company) and then exporting this to the rest of the community or world at large. The mass consumption of foreign products only means the bulk of the margins what build wealth will leave the country - it looks like you are rich on the outside but you're not really. The Americans are starting to realize this too - after all the handbags and high heels and SUV's - who really are the ones who can sustain?

So how does an 18-year old newspaper salesman whose parents are both dead get into the wealth building game? He could do it by selling so many newspapers to get him into management so he can quit and start his own paper. When I gave him my business card and asked him if he had access to the internet he didn't quite know what to say. He was curious and wanted to say yes but it seemed to stun him in a way. But if given the right chance and someone to believe in him he could become a major success story - but someone has to see him as valuable capital and at this point in the economy it feels as though we are afraid to invest in a nation of poor kids, like somehow they will get in the way of our already organized systems of hiring and earnings. That they will disrupt us and maybe even make us think.

If I wasn't doing what I'm doing I would open an employment centre for street kids in the middle of the city like a waterpark or a playground where everyone was welcome. And then I would send the ones who were ready off to the growing Kenyan firms who are going to need this great labour pool - youth willing to learn and build the future of this country. If they were clean cut and well-spoken and knew how to use a computer they would be interviewed. But if their clothes are soiled and they are hungry who will look deep into their souls and little spirits just begging for a chance and say 'Okay watoto - I will invest in you'.

Am trying to convince my friend Lisa to come over and help me with my reality tv show. She is a kick ass producer who could really make what I am struggling to do something special and is looking for her own opportunity as well. Don't know if she'll be game for the matatu rides I love so much but if I keep her busy working maybe she won't notice all the things that usually keep foreigners in five star hotels like the smoky air and the absolute chaotic scramble of it all. Africa.

I read the Denver school system is starting to pay better teachers more money than the bad ones. How great is that? Must have been a student's idea and it reminded me of Hector Peterson who took a bullet for insisting the kids in Soweto not be forced to learn in Afrikaans because they could see their grades going down and they knew they were a smart class and they refused to accept being taken advantage of. I guess that's the moment when you choose to fight for something - when you can see it being taken away right in front of your eyes and you react. This is what it means to be a hero I suppose.

The absolute best example of creating wealth for Africans was a story I came across about a mining merger in South Africa - Swiss-based Xstrata is giving 26% of their 50% ownership of the Motolo platinum mine to Kagiso Trust Investments - a black-owned firm who will fund the equivalent share of the capital expenditure. Maybe one day we will live in a global economy that celebrates the fair-traders and punishes those who take advantage of others. If the ad world got hold of this idea it could be the most revolutionary marketing trend for the alleviation of poverty. Are YOU trading fairly? And if not, why not?

Book of the Day - "Capitalist Nigger" by Chika Onyeani

dbwa, Sue