The simple truth is that art most likely will not have an impact on African societies in the state they find themselves currently because it does not stand a chance against the pressing needs of the common African citizen during an era following a worldwide pandemic and plagued by a litany of sovereign debt and economic crises.
On the other hand, it must be stated that the potency of art is found in its enlightenment which knows no time. It is the ability to open eyes and tell a story through means as simple as visual communication with the potential to turn a person of little formal education to a fervent philosopher. The ability to make people think deeper about how they relate with their surroundings and help them to realise how other elements in an ecosystem have inter-playing roles in a chain called life just as much as organs, blood, bones and muscle come together to form a fully functioning living being.
To think of our surroundings is the ability to think of others and not solely oneself. In the times we are in, the ability to think of others and not solely of kin, believing that their betterment is our betterment with full knowledge that the success of our futures are interlinked, presents societies with the opportunity to move beyond individual thought in isolation in solving individual problems and therefore communal problems. This expounds a unity of purpose arising from a belief of achievement among individuals which scores the relevance art would play to a prosperous African society.
Art is a cause for cognitive inward reflection into our being and our actions and a catalyst to set aside inherent differences for greater good. If we are made to think good of what is around us and do good of what is around us and beyond, what hostilities could we possibly create? Art is a human development driver.
Africa seeks development, Africa should seek Art.
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