In Mine Boy, Peter Abrahams, explores the torment of blacks under the then apartheid regime. The author’s mouthpiece, Zuma, nostalgically remembers the days when Africans would walk hand in hand, sit by the bonfire each night, dance together, play together, lift each others’ burdens, narrate stories and yes- speak to each other. But the regime had divided them. Brother distrusted brother. Sister rose up against sister. They were too engrossed in misery to have quality time and conversation with each other.

The African voice has been muffled for too long. Even people who cannot tell where Africa is have become “Professors” of Africa, peddling images of conflict, disease, corruption and all such things. We have been told that population increase is bad and have run with the song. We have left Africa’s story to be told by other people. It is therefore important that we learn to tell our own story and celebrate our own achievements, however small.

In this issue Africans candidly tell their story. They talk about their fears. They talk about their expectations. They talk about their health; religion; farms; justice systems; leaders; money and environment. They examine their relationship with each other and the rest of world. They give praise where praise is due and castigation where castigation is due. Welcome to Africa’s voice.