The recent nomination of Soweto Gospel Choir for a prestigious Grammy Award in the Best Traditional World Music Category is a great lesson to Africa. The four year-old group that has trotted the globe draws on the best talent from several churches, demonstrating the power of unity, focus and exploiting of local talent.

That the Soweto Gospel Choir has risen from the ashes of apartheid to leave a mark on the global arena is evidence enough that Africa should quit its cry-baby and cradle mentality, look inwards, identify what it can do, perfect it, brand it and run around the world with it. The continent must resist racist, false and negative views about its potential and be proactive in using its culture, among other resources, to create wealth.

Development does not come by waiting for somebody to solve your problems, begging and insulating oneself from global trends and standards. Africans must trot the globe to learn how other people are solving the burden of disease, the brunt of poverty and the dilemma of relevant education, with a view of incorporating the solutions in solving the continent's problems.

The Asian tigers looked inward, blended their cultural heritage with those imported from outside; and now, they are hailed as success stories. Now is Africa's time.