Face Dey Change:

An Elder's Perspective on Urbanization and Traditional African Communities.

Written by Alexander Ogunmola and Young Eta

I remember a time when Johannesburg was nothing more than a small mining town. The land was lush and green, and the air was clean. The traditional communities that lived here were close-knit and deeply connected to the land. But as the city grew and the gold mines brought an influx of people, everything began to change.
With the gold mines came the smoke clouds. The sky was always grey, and the air was thick with pollution. The trees and plants began to die, and the rivers were poisoned. The traditional communities were displaced, their homes and farms destroyed to make way for the mines. They were forced to move to the city, where they struggled to adapt to the fast pace of urban life.

But there is a way forward. We must find a balance between rapid urbanization and the preservation of traditional African cultures and communities. We must invest in sustainable development and clean energy, so that the smoke clouds will clear, and the land will be green once more. We must create opportunities for traditional communities to maintain their way of life and pass it on to future generations.
I am an elderly person who has seen the seasons come and go. I have seen the destructive impact of urbanization on traditional African communities and cultures. But I also have hope that we can find a balance and preserve the traditions and heritage that make our continent unique. It's up to the new generations to take on this challenge and ensure that the traditional communities, cultures and the environment are protected and passed on to the coming generations.