Solutions at Our Doorstep

Published on 18th September 2006

Booker T. Washington, in his 1895 Compromise speech in Atlanta once gave a story of a people who were dying of thirst- yet they were surrounded by fresh waters.

“A ship lost at sea for many days suddenly sighted a friendly vessel. From the mast of the unfortunate vessel was seen a signal: “Water, water. We die of thirst.” The answer from the friendly vessel at once came back: “Cast down your bucket where you are.” A second time, the signal, “Water, send us water!” went up from the distressed vessel. And was answered: “Cast down your bucket where you are.” A third and fourth signal for water was answered: “Cast down your bucket where you are.” The captain of the distressed vessel, at last heeding the injunction, cast down his bucket and it came up full of fresh, sparkling water from the mouth of the Amazon River.

There are many distress calls on why Africa is developing at a slow-march pace. The authors in this issue argue that solutions lie within the continent and explore various water types that Africans should cast their buckets into, such as branding, being wary of eco-imperialist advances, and giving shareholders a voice.


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