African Global and Regional Issues Africa Today Chapter 6

Regional Groups OAU – Organization for African Unity (’63) –Goals - Political Support independence movements Promote peace –Problem: nations did not like the interference AU – African Union (’02) – Economic –Goal: Attract foreign investment –Problems: unrealistic expectations, wanted overnight success

The UN & OPEC Each nation joined the UN after independence –Access to technology –Access to world markets –International cooperation – education, agriculture –Peacekeeping forces Algeria, Libya, Nigeria joined OPEC –Oil prices are controlled and help African nations profit from their oil reserves

British and French Influence Imperialistic ties unite African nations to Europe Commonwealth of Nations – British –Allows for frequent interaction economically and politically between Britain and its former colonies Many nations have adopted the French franc as their currency

Cold War Influence: USA & USSR US and Soviet interest was in the natural resources Most African nations did not officially align with either country Both the US and Russia provided military, political, and economic influence

After the Cold War US and Russian leaders supported peace initiatives in Africa Many Civil Wars plagued the continent –Namibia –Sierra Leone –Liberia –Congo

African Debt Burden African nations rely on global economy –Prices for exports high = good for Africa –Prices for exports low = bad for Africa African nations spend billions each year to repay loans Wealthy nations do not lend money because they fear the loans cannot be repaid Africa can get loans if they reform their economies

AIDS Greatest percentage of AIDS of the 7 continents Adults leave their children as orphans Creates economic burdens, destroys family ties and traditions Reduced life expectancy

Ongoing Challenges Limiting Family Size –Traditional family = Large Science and Food Production –Needed to combat dry season –Needed to combat pests & food disease Fighting Disease –Major advances have combated tropical diseases (sleeping sickness & malaria) –AIDS

HW PG 139 3, 4, 5, 6

South Africa Apartheid

Forced segregation, a system of rigid separation of the races Apartheid began in 1948, under the Nationalist Party White South Africans – 16% Black South Africans – 70% Mixed – 11% Asians – 3%

Apartheid Government classified people –White, Black, Coloured, Asian Laws were passed to keep races separate Supporters said each group could develop their own culture Nonwhites could not vote Nonwhites could only live/work in certain areas

Laws under Apartheid Nonwhites needed to carry a passbook Blacks could work outside their homeland

The passbook Recorded –Where they could travel or work –Their tax convictions –Criminal convictions Divided families –Men could go to town, women had to stay home

Segregation in other areas Black schools received less funding Blacks had worse jobs, lower literacy rates Blacks had to swim at separate beaches Blacks had to eat at separate restaurants

Nelson Mandela 1 st President elected in full representative elections Spent 27 years in jail while fighting Apartheid Nobel Peace Prize Winner ’93 Helped usher in change and gained praise from opponents

F.W. de Clerk Last president of Apartheid, South Africa Helped transform the government into a multi- racial democracy Won the Nobel Peace Prize ’93 (shared with Mandela)

African National Congress Organization devoted to increasing rights for all Africans Strongly opposed to Apartheid Many leaders were jailed, harassed, killed Currently the ruling party in South Africa

Freedom Fighter video Answer questions on half sheet

African Pop Culture What is pop culture? What do you think pop culture is like in Africa? Would it similar or different to our pop culture?

Pop Culture What is popular within a social context United States Africa What did we learn from the video conferences?

African Literature Many African tales are told thru oral literature Storytellers have always been very important to the tribe and family Literature topics include: –Conflict between old and new –Modern problems –Love & Marriage

Music Based on oral traditions The themes are similar art and literature –Preserving traditions –Conflict between old and new Watch a traditional group and their performance Performance of Fally Ipupa – Congo

African Movies Built on traditions of oral literature Topics include: –Solving Modern Problems –Preserving Cultural History –Creating National Pride Setting for major Hollywood productions Nollywood – cinema of Nigeria –Makes over 300 movies a month

Visual Art The purpose is to educate and enjoy tradition and history of Africa

Review Questions What is the purpose of African literature, music, and movies? Is the purpose of art in Africa the same as art in America?