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| Insurmountable devastation Photo: Wikipedia |
Be thankful each day. This life is not promised. What is here today could be gone tomorrow, so the adage goes and this is very true. The devastation gripping Japan today is insurmountable. Japan’s Northeast Coast was reduced to rubble on the 11th of March 2011 by an earthquake thereafter resulting in a Tsunami. The human suffering, the collapse of buildings, the dying of thousands upon thousands of people, the washing away of roads, houses, cars, can only be compared to a big budget special effects induced Hollywood movie.
But this is the reality people are finding themselves in, as we speak. The Tsunami was triggered by an earthquake measured at a staggering 9.0 Magnitude. As we watch this, unfortunate, eye sore event, we must reflect on our own lives and be prepared for the unexpected. Events of this magnitude and the aftermath that follows should be a blueprint for our own existence in terms of being appreciative, pro-active and working towards our goal like there’s no tomorrow.
This Tsunami is likely to be the world’s costliest natural disaster, estimated at 309 billion Dollars. It’s inevitable that this catastrophe would drag the economy down and therefore foreign aid is of vital importance. Japan has always been a symbol of technological advancement and prosperity. It is the world’s third largest economy. Japan is a leading nation in scientific research particularly technology.
Japan is an island nation in Asia, a continent so prone to natural disasters such as these. In fact Japan is located in a volcanic zone on the pacific ring of fire. This is not the first natural disaster to occur in Japan and it won’t be the last, but the commitment, hard work and determination of Japanese people to foster their own pleasant survival and destiny through innovation is quite refreshing.
So, why am I writing this article? The answer is simple, two things come to my mind. First, is the perseverance and resilience of people of Japan and Asia in general. Secondly it is their desire to overcome any challenges and succeed, traits we greatly lack in Africa. It’s just a matter of time before Japan prevails yet again, surpassing standards, that for us, would have taken decades to achieve. Colonialism and self pity aside, as lucky as we are in Africa, in terms of geographical location on planet earth with untapped abundant natural resources, so vast that we could survive on our own, we use our energies and intellect to either fuel wars, engage in power struggles, corruption and other social evils that have become so synonymous with Africa.
Exactly, what is wrong with Africa? Can you imagine what would happen, if these natural disasters were to occur in Africa?
So in the aftermath of all these natural disasters, let’s reflect in hindsight and assure the world as Africans that we can do it. Let’s stop with the blame game and face realities. Now more than ever, is the right time, with so much of our people highly educated and most of them in their prime, now is the time to drive this great continent into prosperity. Let's awaken the spirit of the African renaissance.
