Stop and read this ‘controversial’ book!

At a time when all the talk is about a continent on the rise, one man has written a brave book, A Confident Africa, A New Social- Economic Morality. Brave, because author Mbira Rimi delves into issues that define humanity, from the economy to family to sexuality in a no-holds-barred manner, telling how Africa lost her values, thanks to the West, resulting in the myriad problems she faces.

The reason Africa is plagued to date by ignorance, disease and poverty, which founding fathers promised to fight more than half a century ago, argues Mbira, is because the West raped her confidence.

Thus for Africa to truly develop socially, economically and politically, she has to borrow from her culture and historical experience, including slavery and colonialism. The book starts controversially with Mbira arguing Charles Darwin’s evolution theory was a creation of the West, a deliberately funded scientific theory to prove the White man is superior to Black man. This would sanction slavery and racism.

“The Ku Klux Klan, one of the most virulently racist and anti-black people organisations in history that stands for white supremacy in all spheres of life was formed only ten years after the publication of Darwin’s theories,” he writes.

In the following chapters dealing with human sexuality, gender relationships, feminism, parenting, HIV and ds and architecture, Mbira’s analyses might appear controversial. But he is quick to refute this, saying in writing the book, he sought to provoke thought.

On sexuality he writes: “Homosexuality is a negative sexuality... It is one of the most critical and divisive moral issues of our time and which will define the character of our generation in future... “

Similarly, abortion elicits heated debate around the globe, with this author saying the practice is a form of ‘silent genocide’. He argues that more children have been killed in the womb than have actually been born.

When it comes to marriage, Mbira writes that economic stability thrives in societies that have and maintain stable families. The modern marriages unlike African traditional marriages have sounded a death knell on the stability of the black race. He also does not spare human rights activists and feminists.

Mbira also feels polygamy should be encouraged and that the campaign that advocates for measures to control population growth are ill informed. “Contrary to all modern economic notions, a small family is in fact more expensive than a large one and reduces a family’s capacity to save.”

The 424-page book is not just a series of rants with each chapter providing an opinion of what should be done. For instance, when it comes to poor balance sheets African nations have, Mbira recommends banning export of raw materials.

Also, African governments should have a stake in major industries by owning shares. In a nutshell: “A government that is not in business has no business in government.”

Mbira, who is an expert in modern construction methods and technologies, says he is just a layman deeply sympathetic to the African condition. But he writes well. His thought-provoking, highly controversial takes may just be what Africans need to take charge of their destiny. However, the book published by Asaph-Office Publications could use the services of a proof-reader.