The World Through African Eyes
Securing the Base: Making Africa Visible in the Globe

http://www.solidarity-us.org/node/5036
Date Written:  2017-07-01
Publisher:  Against the Current
Year Published:  2017
Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX21622

Book review of Ngugi wa Thiong'o's Securing the Base: Making Africa Visible in the Globe.

Abstract: 
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Excerpt:

In Securing the Base: Making Africa Visible in the Globe, Ngugi wa Thiong'o's essays span three decades. The earliest was written in 1982, the latest in 2009. Within seven chapters Ngugi traces the effects of slavery, colonialism and neocolonialism, discusses nuclear disarmament, and speaks out against unbalanced power in a global system that privileges the few at the expense of the majority.

He argues for the formalizing and valuing of indigenous African languages and points to the hopeful possibility of a united Africa that can take its economic and political position in the world. He points out that the forces of global reaction will try to divide and dominate Africa so unless it meets this challenge in a rapidly globalizing world it will remain "invisible."

Ngugi's optimism is based on the human and natural resources that the continent contains as well as its vast space. In his vision:

"Even within capitalist assumptions, the way to go is to develop an intra-African communications-village to village, town to town, region to region, east, west, north and south. The challenge is to make African diversity in languages, culture and religions a strength, not a weakness. It is only a united Africa and vision of tomorrow that can bring about visibility. The new Africa must be reflected in Africa’s place in the world."