A beef with Cameron Duodu.Cameron Duodu's cry from the heart for "African Unity" (NA, July) showed some remarkable lapses of vision at the micro rather than the macro level--and surely he (and we) need to focus as much on the small things in at least the same light of importance as the big things: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For instance ... on being asked by an immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. officer in Johannesburg for a yellow fever yellow fever, acute infectious disease endemic in tropical Africa and many areas of South America. Epidemics have extended into subtropical and temperate regions during warm seasons. certificate (a legal requirement for certain nationals entering South Africa South Africa, Afrikaans Suid-Afrika, officially Republic of South Africa, republic (2005 est. pop. 44,344,000), 471,442 sq mi (1,221,037 sq km), S Africa. ), Cameron complained about being "menaced" by same official who told him, correctly, to go to the airport clinic for a "jab" which cost him the equivalent of [pounds sterling]48. For God's sake, Cameron, do you not realise that in many countries around the world (Aye, and in Africa, too) the official could simply have asked you for the [pounds sterling]48 and turned a blind eye to your not obeying the regulations of the country? And then, Cameron ... what really happened was that you failed to recognise the real hero of your tale who, by just doing his job without fear or favour (regardless of your colour or origin), was setting a small, but great, example of what you dream about for the future of Africa. And you didn't see it! In truth, Africa needs many more of these guys at the mundane level of society and they are greatly in need of your moral support as a professional writer on African affairs African Affairs is a peer reviewed academic journal published quarterly by Oxford University Press on behalf of the London-based Royal African Society. The journal's articles cover any African topic: political, social, economic, environmental and historical. . So you better turn your telescope around the other way and start to look through the right end: you'll get a better perspective! As for Wole Soyinka ... the law of South Africa South Africa has a number of sources of legislation and law. The primary sources of South Africa legislation were Roman-Dutch and English Common law, imports of Dutch settlements and British colonialism. Various lawmaking bodies have existed within South Africa over time. requires Nigerian nationals (whether they think it fair or not) to obtain a visa prior to travel, so why this arrogance from a writer who purports to act on behalf of the common man, who thinks he is sufficiently high and mighty arrogant; overbearing. See also: High to be immune from the rules that "Joe Soap" has to obey? What you have to remember, Dear Cameron, is that "be ye ever so great, yet ye are not above the law". Please don't ever imply that the standards of South Africa should be downgraded to suit those more typically found on the continent. Always be progressive, but never regressive! That's the practical way to make your dream come true! Arthur Millwood Dubai, United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates, federation of sheikhdoms (2005 est. pop. 2,563,000), c.30,000 sq mi (77,700 sq km), SE Arabia, on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. |
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