Though
now independent, African countries still face many challenges. Using
illustrations from Benjamin Branoff’s Window Seat, write a composition in support of this statement.
Introduction
There
are various challenges faced by African countries many years after they
attained their independence. The ‘mzungu’
while taking a ride in a
daladala through
Dar es Salaam describes some of these challenges as will be illustrated below
Body
Lawlessness
on the roads. The vehicles should follow traffic laws for safety. However, law
and order is not followed as it should be. Passengers are literally packed. A daladala which is the size of a minivan
and should therefore carry ten passengers is loaded with 25 passengers.
Poor
infrastructure. The roads are in bad condition. We are told that most of the
road is a dusty stretch.
Poverty. People
on the buses are said to be in sandals and others are barefoot. This means that
they cannot afford better shoes or cannot afford any shoes at all. The narrator
describes Kanga as having a trimmed figure ‘molded by beautiful genes and a
lifetime of never ending work and deprivation of luxuries’
Corruption. The
police who are supposed to guarantee safety collude with drivers. They solicit
bribes to an extent of removing car keys from the ignition.
Pollution. There
is pollution everywhere, air pollution from the dust, noise pollution from
conductors advertising their daladalas
etc. there is also dirt flying by and people burning rubbish and dead foliage
on the sides of the road.
Conclusion
From
the above illustrations, it is clear that post independent East African
countries still face a lot of challenges.
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