One can roam cyberspace in vain looking for informed public forums dedicated the causes of democracy, human rights and social justice in Africa. There just aren’t that many out there. In fact, I would wager to say there is only one: Pambazuka News. For the past decade or so, Pambazuka News has made its website available as an open forum for all types of critical thinking and debate on issues affecting Africa in English, Portuguese and French. It has a weekly readership, mostly in Africa, exceeding half a million.

I have been an avid reader of Pambazuka News for the past three years, and a regular contributor over the past year. I decided to make my move from reader to contributor for many reasons. I determined that Pambazuka News is genuinely dedicated not just to abstract discourse on the numerous ailments aching the continent, but that it was demonstrably committed to values and actions that could result in positive change for Africa and its people. I liked the fact that Pambazuka News is not just a forum for ‘moaning and groaning’ about Africa’s problems, but a place in cyberspace where concerned Africans can come together to soberly discuss problems, seek solutions and exchange ideas to help.

I have enjoyed the opportunity of meeting Africa’s public intellectuals (in contrast to the old armchair variety) on the webpages of Pambazuka News, and learning about the vital role civil society institutions can play in Africa’s transition from dictatorship to democracy. When I became a regular contributor, I thought that I could share some of my own ideas and concerns about human rights violations, stolen elections and corruption particularly in Ethiopia with others African intellectuals and Pambazuka News’ large African readership. It has been an enlightening experience. I have ‘met’ Africans from diverse backgrounds on the web pages of Pambazuka News; but despite their diversity, they all share a common bond of concern for Africa’s fate, and are passionate about doing their part to help out the continent or their little corner of it. I suppose that is one of the unique aspects of the magazine. All who wish to share their ideas and report on actions they have taken to improve the economic, political, human rights and other challenges facing the continent are welcomed. This reinforces my basic belief that the problems of the continent could be best understood and addressed not only by Africa’s intellectual vanguard but also through civil society institutions that engage ordinary Africans in grassroots participatory democracy.

Above all, I appreciate Pambazuka News as an institution because it focuses on all of the issues that I consider to be important to Africa’s future. I am deeply concerned about human rights violations in Africa and the entrenchment of dictatorship as democracy gasps for air. So is Pambazuka News. I am concerned about stolen elections in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, the Sudan or many other African countries. I am distressed to see civil society institutions in Africa being choked by African dictators, and thrilled whenever I see private individuals and organisations setting up workshops to train grassroots advocates and negotiators. I agonise over the issue of African poverty, illiteracy and dismal health care services. I am pained by the abuse and mistreatment and subordinated status of African women. My heart aches at the dismal conditions of Africa’s refugees and internally displaced. I am outraged by the so-called blood diamonds that have unleashed death and destruction in various parts of the continent, and child soldiers and the rape and pillage that takes place in the DR Congo, Somalia, and Sudan. I am very wary of the Chinese in Africa as they dump their cheap products in exchange for long-term resource contracts and military aid to Africa’s dictators. So are the readers and commentators of Pambazuka News.

I am very glad to have Pambazuka News as a cyber ‘convenience store’ open for me 24/7 to pick up the most current, critical and informed analyses and commentaries on Africa. But this ‘cyber-store’ would not have been possible but for the dedication and commitment of Pambazuka News’ editors and staff, none of whom I have had the pleasure to meet though I have communicated with some electronically. But what the editors and staff of Pambazuka News have done over the past few years is quite extraordinary. In addition to maintaining an exquisite website chock-full of informed analysis, they have also built up capacity to provide distance learning courses on human rights and social justice and are using information and communications technologies to promote effective dialogue, discussion and debate on African issues. They have used civil society institutions for conflict resolution and promotion of social harmony, particularly in Kenya in the aftermath of the controversial 2007 elections. They have a thriving publication arm that specialises in African issues.

These achievements are not the result of random occurrence, but the fruits borne of a labour of love for Africa and its impoverished people. I would like to recognise the founder of Pambazuka News and its umbrella organisation, Fahamu, Firoze Manji, for his vision, dedication and tenacity in promoting human rights, social justice and civil society institutions across the continent. He serves as an extraordinary role model for all of us interested in promoting change and achieving social justice through dialogue and reconciliation. The other dedicated editors and staffers also deserve high praise and admiration for maintaining such a high quality website and other vital services for all of us to use. They have proven that a few well-intentioned, skilled and dedicated individuals could make big contributions to improve the lives of ordinary Africans. They deserve not only our gratitude but also our support through donations, subscriptions and gifts.

I should like to argue that just as the richer countries have their think tanks to conduct research, engage in advocacy and perform policy analysis, the poor continent of Africa has Pambazuka News. As I ‘travel’ the vast emptiness of cyberspace looking for informed and intelligent analysis and solutions to African issues, I find myself stopping at the same sign post every week. As I make a turn, it is as if the narrator on the classic television series ‘Twilight Zone’, were telling me. ‘You're travelling through cyberspace, a vast vortex of ideas and knowledge; a journey into the wondrous land of Africa whose potentials are bounded by the creative impulses and imagination of its people. That's the signpost up ahead – your next stop, Pambazuka News.’

Kudos to the editors and dedicated staff of Pambazuka News on successfully completing their first decade of service to the cause of democracy, human rights and justice in Africa! We appreciate all you do! Thank you.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY PAMBAZUKA NEWS

* Alemayehu Mariam is a lawyer and professor of political science at California State University, San Bernardino, U.S.A.
* Please send comments to [email protected] or comment online at Pambazuka News.