Where are the African speakers?
12This blog has been triggered by the numerous emails I get every day about the apparent lack of African speakers prepared to come forward to talk about certain industries at Africa-focused events.
I attend many events in Africa and around the world and my exasperation is growing because I struggle to find African speakers capable of representing the continent effectively, apart from the usual faces we see at every event, and they are few and usually from the USA or part of the International Development world. As for African women in ICT, they are very hard to find.
So I am wondering, why is it that African people are not stepping forward? What is the problem? Is it a lack of confidence? A lack of visibility? Is it their fault? Do they not know how to speak? Or are they overshadowed by what we might call ‘friends of Africa’ or by Afro-Americans who left Africa 20 years ago and now have little direct contact with Africa. This is not to be critical of Afro-Americans — they are part of the Diaspora, have links in Africa and could have much to say if they engage more regularly with the grassroots — or other ‘outsiders’ with a passion for the continent, but I believe that we should also be able to find some Made-in-Africa speakers. Surely there are eloquent Africans capable of telling their stories. Storytelling is in their blood. From a young age, Africans are surrounded by amazing stories that can be shared with a wide audience to vibrant and inspiring effect, even changing people’s lives.
I am sure if we look hard enough within the continent we will find that we have vibrant young Africans who are dying to have their voices heard. If empowered, supported and trained to take the stage, Africans can tell their stories better than anyone else, whether it be about mobile technologies, ICT development, international development or other areas of the economy and business. It’s time they emerged from behind the scenes and stopped being overshadowed by Corporate Americans, or the ‘lovers of Africa’ who take all the credit for their hard work. African People need to get more visibility as a matter of urgency. Some are already making a name for themselves — Jessica Colaco Mobile Technology Evangelist from Kenya and London-based Nkeiru Joe to name but two. And I have been following others on social networking platforms like Twitter and Facebook. I have also identified a few speakers on my Best of Africa list on Twitter. But I am sure we can find more. So, I’m appealing to any Africans out there who have an exciting story to tell, who want to learn how to stand up with confidence or who already know how to speak in front of an audience, to step forward and share their experience with us.
You can always email me you know! I will do my best to help!
Up for the challenge? http://mariemejamme.com/blog/where-are-the-african-speakers/
I honestly don’t believe this. I know for certain that there are Africans both within the continent and outside of it that can speak excellently and critically on African issues. From Technology, Business, Politics and other topics, they are capable African out there. The problem is the conference organizers rather than select ‘who knows’ they find it convenient to pick those ‘who are known’
They just need to drag their nets farther.
The best speakers will not put themselves forward – not just in Africa but anywhere in the world. With a bit of an effort and some research you will find great speakers and they will speak with power and enthusiasm – that’s what we found at TEDxEuston in London last year9http://www.tedxeuston.com/tedx09.html) – next one is on November 27.
Hi
I translate your article in French and I publish this address: http://www.dofbi.com/non-classe/ou-sont-les-locuteurs-africains/
I want to know if I have permission to publish it.
Regarding your article, I find it interesting, but I want to add that although in the future will be that kind of speech kind of Africa, not that we come from Africa who was living abroad.
I will explain the history of Africa was still determined outside of Africa.
There are smart, powerful, African speakers all over the place. The quality blogs, and nowadays even the mainstream press, are filled with their amazing deeds all the time. If dumb conference organisers like the ones behind Tech4Africa refuse to invite these people to speak, you should be directing your ire at them not African speakers! Blaming the victim is what I call it.
I agree with Adesina. Most conference organizers tend to pick those people that are known. Perhaps a platform to expose African speakers may be helpful in achieving your objective.
Mariemjamme – Happy to speak if given the time and opportunity 🙂
I think this is another problem of those regular faces not wanting to leave their space and network and perhaps not moving or delegating even to the younger generation.
I have worked and still working with a lot of vibrant African youths all over the continent and I will suggest a few names or link some of them with you via your email. As a matter of fact, I am one of those vibrant Africans!
Funny — I clicked on Comments to leave a comment that Toyin Ajao (Standtall-The Activist) is a great speaker, and here she is!
We are happy to help you where we can
I am a former Ambassador from Ethiopia, I have served as Amabassador in France, Germany, Ghana, Sweden and Scandinavian Countries, and at the United Nations as a Delegate at various meetings.
You van check my name on Google. I am the author of Save Africa Initiative.
You can reach by phone on 703-271-4282 or by e-mail.
Best regards.
We are always there, but you are not very sure the best way to approach fro the search, all Africans are great speakers this is one thing that you have to have in your mind, we do not go to school to become a great speakers but we are naturally great speakers.