Anthony Egan
BEYOND THE COLOUR LINE: PAN-AFRICANIST DISPUTATIONS by Kwesi Kwaa Prah (Vivlia, R49,99)
The other subtitle of this book gives the reader fair warning of what to expect: Selected Sketches, Letters,Papers and Reviews. Although the pieces are all about Pan-Africanism and its potential as an alternative to current African policies, the book is a very loose collection – it includes obituaries and letters.
Kwesi Kwaa Prah, currently professor of sociology at the University of the Western Cape, is deeply knowledgeable in the field of Pan-Africanist theory . His central conviction is that post-colonial Africa has simply become neo-colonial Africa, run by a usually corrupt Westernised African elite. He advocates a political-cultural revival through a much deeper promotion of African identity and language.
The book suffers from a lack of focus. Good analytical work is buried within many pieces that are in need of revision-often I felt I was reading first drafts. Many of the speeches seemed repetitive. The book has been poorly edited and proofread -there are many typographical errors, which is a pity. If there is to be any kind of African Renaissance, it will need solid and rigorous works of political theory.