Changing the narrative and developing countries begins with evolving the different sectors and industries that shape them. If we adopt new ways of doing things, we stand a much better chance at a brighter future. To achieve this, we need to encourage and make diversity and inclusion in Africa mandatory. This means that we need to start at the grassroots level and educate African children about the vast opportunities that exist in and around their countries. Let’s look at how and why diversity in government is important and how both public and private sectors can help promote diversity today for an inclusive tomorrow.
Start Small. Start Now.
Big change starts with small steps. And we can change the way the world works by starting with educating young people on the existing and possible opportunities available for them. It is important to let the young ones know that their dreams and aspirations aren’t limited to their surroundings, and there are lots of opportunities out there for them. We need to create more opportunities through promoting business development skills, tech skills and encouraging digital literacy to form part of the everyday existing education system. We gain more by training children while young about the possible technologies and machinery that fit well into this ever-evolving digital world. Plus, the economy stands a better chance with early education as opposed to trying to play catch-up once they reach working age.
Support Always & Forever
One of the greatest flaws with trying to develop different sectors is the idea that we should only offer help and support once, and that’s enough. A lot of African countries and people need to be given support and opportunities that exist every day, so they have access to that sort of growth just at their fingertips. This means that when we create programmes such as teaching young African girls to code or encouraging young African boys to not drop out of schools, we stand a better chance at a bright future. The existing hindrances such as period poverty, young boys being tempted to join gangs, young women being conditioned to domestication only, and more, should not be holding us back from making the future of Africa better. While we battle with these things and try to stay afloat amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, it is paramount to always remember the end goal – equality and diversity in all sectors.
Our Growth Is The Economy’s Growth
Socio-economic development is one of the most important factors in ensuring growth in any place in the world. With the right education, occupation opportunities, business development and putting in more and more structures to make the living and working standards of those in disadvantaged places better by empowering them as opposed to once-off donations, we can grow and improve diversity in different workplaces and businesses. Small businesses have been proving to have a considerable and noticeable impact on the economic growth of South Africa and other African countries, making government, private sectors and development finance institutions inspired to get involved in ensuring the growth is sustained. At DBSA, we also offer support in different industries to ensure more and more people and entrepreneurs benefit from our involvement.
If We Do It Together, We Can
We may be working on making the world a better place with industries using their own strength as the main factor to showing support. Development finance institutions such as DBSA work with different programmes to offer support to those who need it – from our educational support to rural development, helping with human settlement and more. We believe everyone can lend a helping hand wherever they can, and we are doing our best to better support the many programs and initiatives we are a part of. To us, equality and development of young people and those who have been deprived of such opportunities take major priority.
African Roots, Global Connections
With Africa being rich in cultures and tradition, it is always important to preserve our history and lessons. This means inclusivity in all the educational offerings we have. While we teach African children about the many global opportunities and education, we also have to educate them on the importance of African traditions and history. This way, they are aware of what still needs to be done in order to develop sectors and industries, bridge gender and race gaps, as well as grow our economy, plus we will better educate and connect globally with those who are interested in investing in African talent and skills. So, while we want to access the best careers there are, we also have to remember our roots and work on watering them more.
In Conclusion
It’s a long way to go, but it is a journey worth taking together. Diversity throughout developing sectors can be achieved. In fact, it has started already, and now the aim is to maintain the momentum or increase it to ensure that more and more Africans gain access to life-changing opportunities and better themselves and their surroundings. It is not easy with the hindrances that were mentioned earlier, but it is better when we are all in it together and trying to make the world a better place. So, start small. Start with what you can and play your part in creating more and more space for African people to live and thrive.