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Science and the African
Renaissance
by Stephen Belbin, National University of Lesotho
The modern concept of the African Renaissance has two key components.
First the identification of a unique African history as shown by the rediscovery
of past achievements. Second, the demand for a share of world prosperity realized through economic development and Globalization.
The link between these two is not always clearly articulated, but what
is clear is that Science has a role to play not just in the obvious importation
of modern technology but also in the application of scientific methods in the
discovery and analyses of ancient structures and artefacts.
However, if the Renaissance is to be a sustainable reality for more
than just an urban intellectual elite with a pride in the Pyramids and a BMW in the
garage, the concept must incorporate another component : an African environmental
Renaissance. This is because long term economic progress cannot be made at the expense of the environment and secondly since rural people are
closely linked to it, the natural environment has to be included in a renaissance for
all.
The basis of an environmental renaissance would be greater understanding of how the African natural environment works especially when people act
as an agent of change coupled with the development of best management practises in
an African context given needs and priorities at local, regional and international scales in the face of challenges such as global
warming, desertification, HIV/AIDS, a water quality crisis, poverty and political
instability. Again Science can play a part, especially through such disciplines
as Biology, Ecology and Geography.
The environmental renaissance, like its more general counterpart would
also involve the import of ideas and methods from outside Africa, not
just from the West but also from Asia and Latin America. But it would
also involve the recognition and use of local indigenous knowledge on
the environment and environment management. Again a rediscovery of past achievements.
But both the African renaissance and the African environmental
renaissance will only occur if Africans themselves want them especially
at local community level. This will require changes in attitudes, a
willingness to experiment, to make and to learn from mistakes That is
another basic lesson science can teach.
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