Editor’s note: Wyatt Emmerich concludes a three-part series about his recent trip to Africa.
Many people think of African politics as violent, and in some cases it is. But the real problem in Africa is that most of its people are relaxed, trusting, easy-going and not prone to confrontation. That makes it easy for a corrupt and ambitious politician to become a dictator.
Americans, by contrast, are more volatile about their politics and would fight to the death. Can you imagine how our country would react to a military coup? The biggest standing army in the world are the deer hunters of the South. Not gonna happen.
Just to the south of Zambia, Robert Mugabe has been the dictator of Zimbabwe for decades. The harmful effects of dictatorship are clear when you realize Zambians have four times the per capita GDP of Zimbabwe. Free people are more likely to work hard and sacrifice for a hopeful future.
There are scarce resources for these developing African countries. When a nation is corrupt, these resources are diverted to enrich the political elite instead of building infrastructure for a better future. Note to Mississippi: Political corruption has a huge economic cost.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s neighbor to the west, Botswana, is a shining star. Transparency International rates Botswana as the least corrupt nation in Africa. This has reaped huge dividends for its people. Per capita GDP is more than $16,000 — 16 times higher than corrupt Zimbabwe. Tens of thousands of white farmers fled Zimbabwe after being driven from their farms. They were welcomed and protected in Botswana and the country is now booming from this influence of skilled citizens.
Of course, Africa has no history of republican democracy. The European nations and their progeny, such as the United States and Australia, benefit from centuries of political and social evolution. Africa was purely tribal, then colonial and now free. Can they do it?
Remarkably, they are doing it. There are African basket cases such as Somalia and Zimbabwe, but the vast majority of Africa’s 54 countries are successfully duplicating Europe’s democratic republics. It’s not always perfect or pretty. The troubles in Zambia right now are a testament to that, but, by and large, Africa has successfully transplanted our economic and political systems on their soil.
Western dollars have been a big part of that. The developed countries play a huge role in the African economy. Any elected leader who tries to impose a dictatorship will incur the wrath of the West, and they will punish him by withholding development funds. Money is power and the West can use it for good.
In the old days of the Cold War, the West could be less choosy and felt forced to back any right-wing dictator who fought communism. Fortunately, this battle was won and the West is more free to use its economic power to promote freedom.
China is a problem in this regard. With a huge capital base, the Chinese believe in massive infrastructure investments, having witnessed a phenomenal economic growth in their own country. They are now focused on Africa, where they see enormous potential. China has pledged to spend one trillion in Africa by 2025.
The continent needs the money, and the changes to come will be profound. But China has no interest in democracy, freedom and liberty. If the U.S. and the West allow China to take the economic initiative in Africa, it will be a huge setback to world freedom. Wannabe dictators will receive zero pressure from China when they stifle freedom of the press and steal elections.
The weather in Africa, like the rest of the world, is much milder than the U.S. The winters are warmer and the summers cooler. America is a beautiful country with ample rainfall, but our low elevation and high humidity make our summers some of the worst in the world. Only China’s are as bad.
The African countries sit on a high plateau of about 4,000 to 6,000 feet. That lowers the summer temperatures by 10 to 15 degrees fahrenheit. We were there during the African winter. Highs in the 70s, lows in the 50s. So pleasant.
There is hardly a summer and winter in Africa. Rather, there is a wet season (summer) and a dry season (winter). Almost all the rain falls in the summer, during which it is luscious in green. In winter, the terrain is quite dry and dusty.
You will hardly see a single tree that you recognize in Africa. Unlike Australia, which is nothing but gum trees, Africa has an extraordinary variety of trees and vegetation. It’s just nothing you’ve ever seen before. That makes it truly interesting for an American.
Tourism is one of Africa’s biggest industries and it has just begun to grow. Unlike traveling to Europe, when you travel to Africa you are helping the local people tremendously and they seem to appreciate it. Everyone is enormously friendly.
Every big African city has a minority of Indians who run a large proportion of the businesses. Surprisingly, this has produced very little resentment or racism. Race is not a big issue in Africa because the continent is overwhelmingly black. Most African countries appreciate success and welcome skilled foreigners who can help build the country. (Zimbabwe is the exception, not the rule, in this regard.)
At the end of two weeks, I was sick and tired of tipping. Everywhere you go as a tourist in Africa, there is someone to assist every step you take, for a tip. This makes travel quite easy, but more expensive.
The flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg is 16 hours — the third longest flight in the world. I call this endurance traveling and I came equipped with all sorts of blow-up pillows for my back and head.
Lots of wine, multiple movies and a decent airplane dinner got me sleepy at 2 a.m. (my time) with 10 hours left to go. Unlike a flight to Europe, I still had plenty of time to sleep. I popped a sleeping pill and slept like a baby, waking up just in time for coffee and breakfast. It was not bad at all.
The non-stop flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg really opens up the African continent to American southerners.
If you want to have a great trip and see a completely different and fascinating world, consider traveling to Africa. It will help the continent develop and give you memories of a lifetime.
Emmerich is editor and publisher of The Northside Sun in Jackson and president of Emmerich Newspapers.
