African governments, obstacle to people's progress - Olojede

"Africa is a place full of resources, talented and entrepreneurial people, but the number one obstacle standing on their way of progress is the lack of clean and effective governments," Olojede said.

"Our people's ambitions are being lowered, begging the question of how do we do something better to change people's lives? So, let's strive for clean government."

He said branding Africa must start by a fundamental question, such as how can a functional society be achieved.

Well known for its vast pool of mineral resources and fertile soil, Africa is mostly described as a place of despair and hopelessness, as more than 80% of the continent's one billion people live in extreme poverty, fear and terror, with little say on policy-making as 'cruel' regimes pounce on anyone opposing their views.

There has been an increase in a number of African countries that have restructured their economies, which have grown at a spectacular rhythm in the past five years or so.

Africa's real GDP has increased by 4.9% annually between 2000 and 2008, compared to 2.4% in the 90's. However, none of the benefits of that growth has filtered to the people on the ground, mostly due to massive corruption and nepotism at the top political leadership.

Olojede said this kind of state of affairs will do nothing to change the situation even if these governments were to budget US$1 billion to hire experts and consultants from Johannesburg, London or New York to rebrand their respective countries.

"We must go from talk to action - clean roads, good governance and infrastructure, jobs - because the direction we are taking is leading us to nowhere as we are constantly looking for short-cuts," he said, adding that the continent is desperately in need of self-sacrificial leaders with high moral values.

"If you vote a US$10 billion budget to rebrand Nigeria, it is not going to work," he said, adding that men who allow themselves to be nothing have no place in this society, the Pulitzer Prize winner said.

"Look at Green Point Stadium and V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. You can see a translucent infrastructure built and project-managed by the citizens of this country that had engaged society."

Africans should start applying their minds to ensure how the continent is going to have clean governments so that its people's full potential can be achieved, Olojede pointed out.

"Africa's challenges are the challenges of a clean and effective government. What is required here is the high level of intelligence, self-sacrifice and moral values that will help identify how things are done properly.

"Our number one problem is how do we organise ourselves in such a way that we deliver the fruits of economic development and democracy to most members of our society."

The Africa Retreat Leadership was sponsored by SADC and SA Tourism.