Controversy in Grahamstown

Wednesday, September 13th, 2006 at 12:16 PM

You might have heard about the controversy that has been flying around about the Highway Africa and Digital Citizen Indaba conference being held at Rhodes University, Grahamstown as we speak.

Well things finally came to ahead yesterday. No one could hold it in any more. People would either have to come with some answers or the whole place would erupt. After all if a conference of journalists can not make our decision makers accountable who can?

The issue had been burning all week. Whispers here and there but all we got were polite smiles and polite dismissals. We wanted to be taken seriously dammit. These were serious questions we were raising.

Well finally last night at the annual Highway Africa awards, which were live on TV across the continent, things finally came to ahead. Tired of being pushed around we demanded answers to our burning questions. Detailed and full answers. We would not cooperate until we were answered. We demanded to know, and to know immediately on behalf of the people of Africa, we wanted an end to all this conspiracy to all this controversy. So we asked,nay, we demanded to be told. Was it really true that The Princess of Africa also know as Yvonne Chaka Chaka was going to perform live in front of us? And if she was, would she perform her famous hit single “Umqombothi” which for years I thought was “eh mandanzi”?!

Well, mabibi na mabwana, i can reassure that we demanded, on your behalf, and got, on your behalf, an answer! Yes Yvonne, because i’m on first name basis with her cause she knows me like that, was performing. And boy did she perform! Yani she even had me singing ati, “I’m in love with a DJ.”

So there you go controversy sorted.

(You may have read elsewhere about another so called controversy, believe me that is nothing compared to this YCC drama. All i have to say to that is this:

Look at the big picture, at the bigger picture. Where were all these self appointed champions of African blogs when we sent out repeated calls for help? Where were these self appointed defenders of the African blogosphere when we were building. They were online, they knew what we were doing but obviously did not feel it was important enough to engage with us then, so why now? What has changed since?

Remember the old proverb, beware strangers carrying gifts. Just as we who are here in Grahamstown will be watching those around us for anything suspicious, you too watch those around you and their motives.

In KBW we welcome interaction, we welcome those who want to build a community with us. Of course you can refuse to interact with the community except when it is in your own interest. Of course you can ignore us. That is the beautiful thing about our community, even after you join you do not have to participate. You bring to the table what you want to bring. BUT, and oh boy it is a big BUT, BUT if you refuse to interact, if you abdicate your responsibility to engage with your fellow bloggers, if you abdicate in your responsibility to the community then you must allow to me to laugh from the end of my toes when you turn around and come out in full amour as the “defender of the African blogosphere” hehe. We are not good enough for you to engage with, yet we are good enough for you to enlighten about the evil mzungu. Give me a break.

Sisters and brothers, Kenyan Pundit co founded Mzalendo, Mr Mental founded KenyaUnlimited, Bankelele runs probably the most read finanical writing coming out of kenya and Marazzmatazz is no push over as well. Some may try to imply that we came all the way to South Africa to be seduced by 30 pieces of silver. Or they may suggest that if we are not sell outs we are to seduced by the whole proceedings to remain objective. Many of you know us through our blogs. I think it would be fair to say that naivety on world issues is not an accusation you can seriously throw at us.

Beware those who decide they can think for you. One minute were being told how no blogging conference should try to control bloggers, the next minute we are being told about who is or is not worthy to engage. So you want me to be free to blog about what you want me to blog about? Wow. One minute we are told the problem is the conference was not widely publicised, and being asked why they were not invited, the next minute we are being told the conference is bogus anyway. So the rest of the African blogosphere should apply for scholarships but you should be invited? Why? Why you? Why shouldn’t you have to apply with the rest of us? What makes you so damn special?

Next the whole, “there are no natives” (whatever a native is) argument lacks so much logic someone is surely looking for a slapping from a certain Mr Spock. I am sitting in a hall full of 500+ journalists from 40+ African countries, no natives? I have previously blogged about the logical fallacy of an ad hominem argument. Those who have lost the argument tend to attack the man. “Yeah, well Hitler was a vegetarian that means all vegetarians are evil.” The so called handing of our souls to the devil in a code of conduct for bloggers. I mean for crying out loud have you looked at the programme? The “code of conduct” seminar is one of three simultaneous seminars being held on Friday afternoon, hardly the setting for the evil take over of the world is it?

OK enough of the jokes, there is a serious point to all this, believe. Some bloggers have raised concerns with me about the Indaba, which i will bring up when the opportunity arises. I do believe that things can improve, of course they can, the organisers feel that things can improve, this is only the first ever meeting for crying out loud. But i refuse to believe that those who shunned our community and only play lip service to it are now acting as such strong defenders of the African blogosphere for anything other than selfish means. You may chose to read it differently and if so, or even if you agree, blog about it. That is the beauty of blogging!)

Now to help us all smile let me post a picture of our co host last night:

Ahhhhhhhhh, calm all ready Anyone out there know her name?

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