Perceptions of life in Africa LO: To be able to question our understanding and ideas of Africa as a continent.

AFRICA OR NOT ? AFRICA OR NOT ?

You are about to see 16 images… Your task is to decide if each photo was taken in an African country or not. Write the numbers 1 to 16 down the page. Say whether each picture is “Africa” or “Not Africa” Then give a reason why you made that decision. It would be useful to look for clues in each photo so that rather than guessing, you had some evidence for your answers.

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AFRICA OR NOT ? Answer s…

Answers (add your corrections): 1.AFRICA – lorry drivers in Sudan. 2.AFRICA – teenage girls in South Africa. 3.AFRICA – a wedding in Sudan. 4.AFRICA – an advert for baby products in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 5.AFRICA – a view over the city of Cape Town in South Africa 6.AFRICA – modern electric railway system in Morocco 7.AFRICA – football stadium in Ghana 8.AFRICA - primary school children in Kenya 9.AFRICA – airport red carpet for the arrival of the Malawi president 10.AFRICA – a church in South Africa 11.AFRICA – fruit and vegetable stall in South Africa 12.AFRICA – large modern fishing boats in the harbour in Morocco 13.AFRICA – modern city building in Equatorial Guinea. 14.NOT AFRICA – masai tribesman working in a wildlife park in California, USA. 15.AFRICA – McDonalds restaurant in Morocco 16.AFRICA – cape penguins in South Africa.

And just in case you were thinking well obviously they don't use mobile phones in African countries…………. Well they do!!

What are “Perceptions”? Even if we have not visited a place, we all have an image in our minds of what that place is like – these images are our ‘perceptions’. Where does this information come from? Even if we have not visited a place, we all have an image in our minds of what that place is like – these images are our ‘perceptions’. Where does this information come from?

Africa is a continent but often the media talks about Africa as if it is one country and is all the same everywhere you go. As a general rule, the media loves reporting ‘bad news’ and only rarely reports ‘good news’. Africa is a continent but often the media talks about Africa as if it is one country and is all the same everywhere you go. As a general rule, the media loves reporting ‘bad news’ and only rarely reports ‘good news’.

Have a look at the image which shows a web page taken from the BBC news website. What impression does it give you about life in Africa?

Having looked at the picture from the BBC website, pick 5 of the phrases below that describes the picture the best. Is the BBC giving a fair impression of life in Africa? Ethiopian hardships Zimbabwe in meltdown Starting from scratch Food crisis Village’s food shortages Hunger and misery History of drought Struggling to eat More harm than good Dried-up riverbeds Battle with Aids The struggle to survive Ethiopian hardships Zimbabwe in meltdown Starting from scratch Food crisis Village’s food shortages Hunger and misery History of drought Struggling to eat More harm than good Dried-up riverbeds Battle with Aids The struggle to survive Animals starve Aid figures Lesotho starves Drought-stricken community Affected countries GM struggle Food aid addiction Recurring hunger crisis Hungry herders Zambia: fertile but hungry Digging for scarce water Deadly daily poverty Animals starve Aid figures Lesotho starves Drought-stricken community Affected countries GM struggle Food aid addiction Recurring hunger crisis Hungry herders Zambia: fertile but hungry Digging for scarce water Deadly daily poverty

Do you think all of Africa is exactly like the media portrays it to be? Give reasons for your answer using some of the evidence (pictures) we saw at the beginning of the lesson. Do you think all of Africa is exactly like the media portrays it to be? Give reasons for your answer using some of the evidence (pictures) we saw at the beginning of the lesson.

Why is there such a big rich-poor divide in Africa? Corruption - some governments ‘steal’ or cheat money for themselves. Colonies - some countries used to be owned by richer countries (e.g UK) who would steal money and resources from them Companies - some people get lucky and get well paid jobs from large companies – e.g. oil companies Education - some people are more educated, so they can get much better jobs Natural Problems - like war or famine mean some people never make enough money to improve their lives.

Watch the following video clip (link on website) Describe the differences between people’s lives in Equatorial Guinea Watch the following video clip (link on website) Describe the differences between people’s lives in Equatorial Guinea

PictureMy descriptionAfrica or not?Answer

PictureMy descriptionAfrica or not?Answer

PictureMy descriptionAfrica or not?Answer