Has Africa come of age?

We, the Catholic Church await the “New Pentecost”, the Papal response to the II African Synod held in Rome by the African Prelates last October. Three months down the waiting lane the fruit of reconciliation and peaceful co-existence in Africa, one of the many preoccupations of the Synod Fathers, was highlighted globally in the world of soccer through the two football tournaments.

These were the just ended African Cup of Nations, CAN, and the eagerly awaited FIFA World Cup carnival, whose preparations are underway and the first ever to be held on the African soil!

By taking up these tournaments, and in a special way, the world cup, Africa is here to show case the football fanatics that it has come of age as far as the organization and the playing of soccer concerns. But more to it is to the entire world that it has shed off the greasy bloody past of civil wars, apartheid and the painful effects of colonial struggles to organize such big worldly events. And it steadily climbs the developmental ladder in the today’s competitive economy.

To begin with, the biennial CAN organized and celebrated in Angola at the onset of the year reveals Angola’s total wake up from a vicious 27-year civil disorder that consumed up to half a million lives according to the UN reports. The peace deal was signed in 2002 officially ending the illiberal war in this oil-rich nation. This year’s CAN was to be a culmination of the peaceful transition from the historic hostilities.

In May 2004, South Africa won the bid to host the 2010 world football tournament. It won the world’s confidence, too. That gave the Africans the hope and chance to have a place in the other continents of the world. An aroma of optimism fills the air that it will be a peaceful encounter.

Two recommendations of the II African Synod started taking shape. These are the promotion and up building of culture of justice and peace; and the economy at the service of the poor and marginalized.

It is the pursuit of this lasting peace that the games not only started but the entire Africa hopes to build on. Justice and Peace, a common good of the welfare of all people will be respected by the end of these tournaments, is another hope.

The sole responsibility of larger organizations is to provide the poor and the marginalized with easy access to the natural resources and infrastructures. Such larger organizations are the Confederation of African Football, CAF, the FIFA-the world football organizing body and the individual governments. To remedy poverty and ensure self sufficiency of not only the marginalized but the entire nations making up the African continent, CAF and FIFA organized the dual football carnival on African soil.

But are these objectives and aims achievable?

Football is a culture and a religion, so the fanatics say. No doubt on this. It does not know of one’s age, vocation, profession or gender. All flock to cheer or play the game spiritedly. Its noble objective back from its roots is to foster unity within a fair and just competitive milieu. Other values glued to it are obedience, sobriety, selflessness and cooperation among others.

But is football in Africa different from the rest of the continents? Does football influence its past based on colonialism, apartheid, slavery, discriminations, wars, human trading, trafficking, immigrations etc? And the today’s African football… does it redefine African culture, behaviour and its people? Does it foster nationalism, globalization, peaceful coexistence etc?

It is true that when hosting countries organize big events like the CAN and World Cup, they incur heavily on the infrastructure and later expect economic returns in abundance. For instance, the Angolans consumed million dollars on new stadia, roads, hospitals, hotels, packs, etc. They also use such moment to internationally advertise their country for future touristic gains.

It is relatively true that not all the people in these countries are beneficiaries of such massive returns incase any risk is not met. In any case, the marginalized would spell it as a loss of time and wealth in organizing such events. If not listened to, the marginalized may backfire and the result be like the Cabinda horror on 8th January meted on the Togolese en route for the Africa Cup of Nations.

As they lay down the final bits for the world cup, the South African government in conjunction with the FIFA is hawk-eyed not to leave any stone unturned. For them and the entire Africa is a hope that the tournament will set a legacy of African prosperity and positivity in peaceful coexistence come June this year. We all remain confidence that Africa has come of age. But unfortunately, some of our Prelates might follow the tournament from Rome, and not from home, for they will be closing the Year of Priests.