In the space of one day, as I lolled on the couch having a break from the computer, I had the misfortune of being exposed once again to the world-wide ignorance of the meaning of the word 'Africa'. It seems that not only are the writers of American sitcoms unaware that Africa is a continent, but also their British counterparts. On reflection, as I recall from a number of books written by foreigners moving to 'a farm in Africa', it seems a large proportion of humanity suffers from the same misconception. Not least of them is erstwhile American President Bush, who described Nigeria as an important continent, but then that was just par for the course.
Even stranger is the concept of people wanting to go 'back to their roots' and coming to South Africa to find them. Sadly, we never hear of visits to West African countries from which the inhabitants were so cruelly sold into slavery for the benefit of farmers in the New World. While Oprah can only be commended for her charitable work in South Africa, one can wonder why she chose this country when there are so many more needy areas in Africa that would welcome her donations.
Not only is Africa made up of many, many different countries, it is home to more different tribes and races than countries themselves, each with their own language, culture and religion. When someone says they are going to Africa, do they mean the Arab north or the extremely Westernised south? I doubt whether they will be going to the Congo or Somalia.
No, they will be going to visit the magnificent wide-open spaces of the Serengeti, which I believe is what most people think 'Africa' is, or down to South Africa for a spot of game viewing in ultra luxurious private game reserves. Granted, it is still wild here and the risk of being eaten by lions if you are on foot in the Kruger Park (not recommended) or speared on the tusk of a rogue elephant who has had enough of tourists creeping up behind him when he is looking for a mate is very real. Not only does it offend those of us who live here that so many are not interested enough to refer to Africa in very specific terms regarding their destinations, but also not appreciating that the animals that live throughout Africa are still wild and masters of their domain, not some unfortunate inhabitant of a zoo where feeding time is an attraction.
Those who come to 'Africa' to shoot its wildlife behind the safety of high-powered rifles with telescopic sights to put a mat on the floor or a stuffed head on a wall, or even worse, for reasons based solely on superstition and greed, must surely belong to a sub-species.
With Cape Town being considered the Number One destination for 2014 by the NY Times, it's no wonder that many seek their roots here at the very tip of this vast continent. I would too, but I was born here and have no need to seek.
The people of Africa have borne the brunt of invasions for centuries. The least the world could give them is some respect for their own identity.
Africa is not a country.
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