Africa Unite ... Kumi Naidoo #AfricansRising

Following hundreds of years of oppression under colonial rule and decades as a pawn in a bipolar world, Africa has been left a damaged continent.

On the iStart2 Show this week Kumi Naidoo offers a glimpse at what the new Africa Civil Society Initiative might look like. 

"If Government won't lead us to unity then we will do it ourselves," says Kumi. "We are setting the basis, and the process included numerous formal and informal consultations with civil society activists, regional and local networks, NGOs, international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), trade unions and faith-based groups across the continent. We also want to work out a way to  involve the diaspora."

Kumi examines the consultation process that is being used to better understand what civil society means in Africa today and how consensus can be achieved in such a diverse environment.

Kumi believes the biggest challenge we face in society is a disease called affluenza: "We need people who have the courage to throw the box away. What you leave behind is what you have contributed to society."

Listen to the show below:

Kumi Naidoo

Born in South Africa in 1965, Kumi Naidoo was executive director of Greenpeace from 2009 – 2015 and was the Secretary General and CEO of Civicus, the world alliance for citizen participation, from 1998 - 2008. He fought against apartheid in his home country and has led various global initiatives, including the Global Call to Action Against Poverty and the Global Call for Climate Action. He is now the start-up director for the Africa Civil Society Initiative.

Thought of the Day:

Together for Africa, 

for justice, peace and sustainable development.