Why I Hate 'I Love Africa'

A BBC competition in which listeners and readers are asked to express their love for the African continent has been lambasted by British journalist Michela Wrong.

Contributors win an I Love Africa baseball cap

"The BBC's 'Why I Love Africa' spot encapsulates everything that drives me crazy about attitudes to the continent," she wrote in UK-based New Statesman magazine this week.

"Confronting serious issues by urging people to feel better about themselves verges on the offensive."

The competition - which is featured every week day on the BBC breakfast programme Network Africa, and on the BBC News website - jars with life on the continent, she said.

I really like the sarcastic ones. They're fun Michela Wrong

"Africa is a continent beset by real substantive problems," she told Network Africa when the programme contacted her about her article.

"People who live in Africa know what it's like dealing with these everyday problems. The fact that the electricity's gone off or there's no water."

"They don't want to have someone telling them to tell them to feel good about themselves," she said.

A better competition, she suggested, would be 'What needs fixing in Africa?'.

Ms Wrong would not be drawn on what she loved about the continent.

Although she admitted she liked some of the more sarcastic contributions.

"They're fun. Every time I hear one of those I really enjoy it."

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Do you find the 'Why I Love Africa' competition irritating or offensive? Or is it an opportunity to share views on a continent often ignored by the news' agenda?

Let us know your views using the form below. A selection of your comments appears underneath.

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Its irritating because it takes up lots of space on your website that should be used for in depth discussions on issues affecting the continent. Its also depicts Africans as shallow thinkers, with nothing important to talk about! At one point I was like, " Why is the BBC doing this to us!"
Lydia Nakayenga, E4 8SA, Chingford, London, UK

I do not blame anybody who finds it irritating or offensive. If this topic. If "how I love Africa" topic came from one of the Africa news media, there will be no problem at all. Because of mistrust, Africans have towards the western media and their politician, anything that comes out from western media, we view it very suspicious. Even the good intention from the west has to be double checked. I will be very grateful if you conduct a survey to see how deep we mistrust the western media.
Okuyin Kojo Wilberforce, Mississauga, Canada

I am an avid listener of the BBC and have read several of Ms. Wrong's books, including 'In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz'. I am a non-African but was born and raised there. I have spent 24 out of my 31 years on the continent, which is to say there are many things I like about it. In fact, every time I leave Africa I find myself longing to go back. Ms. Wrong's books focus on the worst of Africa: its despots, wars and famines. Africa's many problems, however, mean that it is that much more important to give those who live there a chance to find joy and happiness, if even to say what they like about it.
Steven Dunham, Melbourne, Australia

I find the competition WHY I LOVE AFRICA very interesting. It is important to know that undermining the problems in Africa, we still love our motherland. No matter how far we travel we still find the need to come back home and celebrate. I think the competition should continue. In fact I will send my entry soon!
Chika Njoku, Abia State, Nigeria

Ever since you started that stuff I have heard very unsavoury feelings about African minds. The inspiring spark of creativity that went with My Street, True Love and True Crime are very absent in this case. We are more interested in what Africa really is rather than directing people to only sieve their thoughts and bring out only the good side of the continent. I think I really hate. I have sent entries to other competitions but I see no reason to do so now. Please change it.
kimbi tchenga, Buea, Cameroon

Africa is a continent so rich in cultural diversity, but strangely, so much of our beliefs are the same! Listening to contributions from around the continent really brings out a picture of what is happening outside our communities and that is what I love most about the "I LOVE AFRICA COMPETITION" I remember one of the very first contributions where the listener wrote about a sick uncle whose relatives couldn't raise the hospital bill even after he had been discharged. He came up with a smart idea of having died and the relatives did actually turn up...wailing and crying with what was required to bury him. I really loved that contribution! It may have been just fiction, but it is the stark reality of what happens around here - We never joke with the dead and will go the extra mile to give them a decent even where we couldn't bail them out in their hour of need!
Ndung'u Ndegwa, # 76439, Nairobi, Kenya

The competition of why i love Africa does not help africa. It is another way from the west to be giving the continent bad image. if you want to know interesting this about africa, go there and tell the story ( i mean the western jornalist)by yourself instead of publishing stories from some people who dont even know the main topic of the discusion
Tony Gbenga, Nigerian In Murcia/Spain

I welcome this opportunity to add my voice to what I feel about the competition. I listened to Michaela Wrong on Friday's Network Africa and believe she is wrong to hate the competition. Honestly, when Joseph Warungu spoke about the competition before it started, I was one listener who wrote in to suggest that with AK47s ruling our lives in Africa, there is nothing to love about it. Today, I listen to this slot religiously. I do vividly remember some contributions - some are fun to listen to, some are encouraging, some are sarcastic etc. I think the mixture makes the competition quite good. To sum up, going back to Michela, without in anyway attempting to attack her , the competition is like the partner in her life- it is not everything that her partner will like, but he still loves her. PS: I used to report for the BBC African Service during the war days in my country. I now work for one of the UN agencies at home.
Sulaiman Momodu, P.O. Box 30, Kenema, Sierra Leone

I believe it gives Africans an opportunity to share their views about the continent. The News Media is good at presenting their views of Africa but now it is time to hear the other side. It is important to focus on the positives and the solutions to the problems. I don't think we should focus on "why I hate Africa" but "Why we love Africa" or "what can be done to improve Africa".
Grace N Kuweruza, P.O Box 140186, Kansas City, MO, USA. Nationality: Malawi; Town/City: Blantyre

I think it is very wrong to imagine of African continent as just one full of tragedies and nothing positive.There has always been great misconceptions when it comes to what exactly is inside Africa.The media has been blamed greatly for such injustice.Therefore I find the competition not at all irritating or offensive but rather informative and empowering.
Jeff, Toronto,Canada

Yes, I do.I love "why I love Africa" because I am always proud of being an Africa. I think you set a wonderful agenda,as a BBC regular listener, I would like to say to you those of BBC at the studio to keep up doing this wonderful job you have been doing all this time. Please continue with this wonderful programme "why I love Africa".
Peter Tuach, 1612 Hoover Dr# 10 North Mankato,MN 56003,USA

Where is Ms. Wrong from again...? Oh did you say somwhere else but Africa...unfortunatley for her .....when we read these things about our Continent Africa a sense of pride is instilled in us ....not everything is wrong in Africa just like not everything is right in Europe ...so a question to you Ms. Wong what needs fixing in Europe????
mutsawashe, USA/Zimbabwean

I hardly find 'Why I Love Africa' offensive. I acknowledge Ms. Wrong's view that Africa needs fixing. However, I still do not see a reason why Africa lovers can not express how they feel about the continent. Does loving Africa mean being content with the status quo? I think not! I believe it encourages us to nurture what little we have, and encourages us to improve.
mwiwa, Ottawa, On

I find most of the contributions a bit too "made up" I think some of them are not genuine. But I don't mind hearing them though.
patrick ayumu, Choice fm, P O Box CT 3032, Accra, Ghana

The "Why I love Africa" programme is a mockery of the African essence. Most times, it is obvious that contributors are hard pressed to find any genuine reason why they truly love Africa. We should rather be asking ourselves what we can do to take Africa out of its present dire situation of near hopelessness.
Gbenga Ibileye, Dept of English, UGB, Saint Louis, Senegal

There will always be individuals who find fault whenever there is something light, positive or uplifting said concerning Africa. What is wrong with giving folks a forum to celebrate whatever they love about our Mother continent. Sure we all know there are a host of problems plagueing the Continent. But the universal law of transformation is that whatever you focus on expands. African American Sista
KEMLI EZELL, Indiana, USA

I'm not offended. I just want one of those hats.
Jason, San Diego, Ca UnitedStates

Next time somebody like Ms. Wrong has something negative to say about Africa or other wonderful countries- please look past them and concentrate on, not the bad, but the good things that place has to offer. She should realize that Africa has many different countries and many different types of people. So, she should not stereotype all Africans and should recognize that there are both positive and negatve aspects to this continent and BBC is just trying to help bring out the positive.
Maya ,

If you've never been to Africa and you have only seen the news on TV, you'll feel sorry for those 'poor' people. I've not yet met one person who has been to this continent who wouldn't go back again and again, or won't move over there if they had the chance. The west has the material resources but lack the human warmth (there your neighbour says vicious things about you when your back is turned and yet smiles at you), African nations are generally poor but there is a glow out of this 'deprivation' which defies understanding. No forum can distil the essence of this abundant african humanity, wish on...
Ronni, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Africa is like an abused child now coming to terms with understanding why it is that way. It is very sensitive to any comments made about it. If 'Why I love Africa' was created as an opportunity to share views on a continent often ignored by the news' agenda then its such a sad attempt to give away this media space for solicited junior high school assignments from those who sympathise with it. 'How I love Africa' would be more appropriate and benefecial for it would sharing explore the ways and means on how all those concerned are helping Africa in a small or big way.
darlington mubataripi , 95 Sherman Ave IS, NY, 10301 USA

Bad news about Africa is never hard to find, and the endless stream of bad news might help people "confront the issues" but it doesn't seem to be helping anybody solve them. Africa's image around the world is very unbalanced and negative. While I wouldn't want to see the pendulum swing to the other extreme, "I Love Africa" is a welcome counter to all that doom-and-gloom.
Steve Bougerolle, 304-8770 Selkirk Street, Vancouver BC, Canada

The competition to the best of my knowledge is fine. There is nothing offensive about it. It simply shows that despite all the impediment or issues militating the continent, Africans still love their continent. The only way to conquer hardship is through a positive spirit. Africa must survive, African must overcome and Afica must succeed. God bless mama Africa and her children.
Omorodion Osula, Boston, U.S.A.

Incredibly silly, downright patronizing and often quite nauseating! But then, who can blame the BBC or anyone else for treating us in this way, when we have been forced into this cesspit of low expectations by those who claim to be our rulers? Is it not only in Africa, for example, that a government's ability to perform its most elementary functions (in Botswana, to be specific) is considered spectacularly newsworthy? Where else in the world are rulers so obstinately attached to the apron-strings of the West? And, if these rulers have so clearly lost any sense of shame and mortgaged our basic human dignity in the bargain, why should the BBC not treat us as they see fit?
UE, UK/Nigeria

'why I love Africa' is a wonderful part of BBC africa. We Africans know we have a lot of problems in our continent but the truth is some of us find solace in the fact that their are things that makes us happy about our continent even when things are bad. Some of these are written by Africans and posted on the website. Africans when they are down or tired sing songs to lift themselves without giving up. This is a replica of what is done on 'why I love Africa'.I love to read those articles because it gives me hope in my continen.t
dami, 26, Mannville terrace, Bradford. BD7 1SR

The thing I get tired of is people referring to Africa as though it was one place. Of course I realise there are problems common to many countries on the continent, but I often see or hear somebody reffering to their holiday in 'Africa', or problems in 'Africa', when in fact each country is unique and completely distinctive. That's why I think the compettition, 'Why I love Africa' (or perhaps just the wording of it) is perhaps to general, even a little simplistic and patronising. Maybe a title along the lines of, "Why there's hope for Africa", or "Why I'm proud of being African". In this way you can look at the community around you and find hope and pride, instead of looking at this vast continent and trying to lump it all together.
Lucy Heavens, Cape Town, South Africa

Michela Wrong is entitled to her opinion and as such, free to express it. We Africans know that regardless of peoples opinion, Africa will remain our mother land and we will always love her. While it true that Africa is plagued with a lot of issues, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Since Rome was not built in a day, the issues Africa is dealing will be history as time goes on. The moon moves slowly but by day break, it crosses the sky. God bless Africa.
Julius Osula, Benin City, Nigeria

I agree completely with Michela. I find the "Why I love Africa" embarrassingly insipid. In fact, while admiring and enjoying most of your programmes, I find you African ones extremely disappointing for various reasons. I usually turn over to RFI (Luckily I speak French) when your African programmes come on. I wrote you a long letter some time earlier this year saying why I thought the programmes were poor but had no acknowledgement of it. Living here in Mozambique I do rely on you for international news which you do so well. I also think your web site is very well done. Regards, Donal Conlon
Donal Conlon, Dept of English, UEM, Maputo, Mozambique

Does BBC World Service have an 'I Love Latin America', 'I Love the Middle East' or 'I Love South Asia' spot on its programming in those regions? If not, what is it about Africa that requires this spot? Presumably people in those areas also love their countries/continents even in the face of prejudice and stereotypes.
Mike, BP 1927 Conakry, Guinee

Not every person has the physical or psychological capacity to help fix the continent's problems. Even when they do, immediate changes are non existant. Positive psychology in keeping a morale alive is important. It's easy to be cinical from the comfort of your leather sofa.
James, Stormville, NY

I agree whole-heartedly with the comments expressed by Ms Wrong. I can't help the irony that Ms Wrong wants us to focus on the wrongs of Africa. While there are many things to celebrate, what Africa needs right now is a sincere attempt by the international community to engage her in fair(not Free) trade. Did I hear that Blair says they might have to make cutbacks on the concessions/grants made at the G8 summit. I hope the BBC pays this as much attention as they did when Bush/Blair scored cheap political points.
Peter Odili,

This programme to me is very nice at all because most of the times our problems are highlighted and recited now again.It is very painful to reminded about your problems and this makes us not to have piece of mind.Of course these genuine problems but should not being songs.Moreover premitive cultures are praised,yes these cultures are ours but they are backward and we must hide them to avoid other people making funny of them.I dont regret that I am an African but some of our cultures and habits leave alot to be desired.
Allanie Njateni, Kanengo,Lilongwe 4,Malawi,Africa.

I leap out of bed to switch OFF the BBC World Service the moment Why I Love Africa starts to utter its (usually) sickly platitudes at 05.55am. Five minutes later I switch back on again and listen until 06.55, when I switch OFF again. Mind you, it's partly the voice of the reader that appals. It's sad that this 'competition' is not at all up to the standard of 'My Street', which was excellent, or 'Sounds of Africa'. Alas, 'Why I Love Africa' allows too many people an avenue for indulgent goo.
Collins Mbatha, Maseru, Lesotho

I find this single competition for one whole year a little bit monotonous and boring. I am saying this because there are times when I get very similair entries just within a short span. So I begin to ask myself, why can't we launch two compeitions during one season or better split the year equally to accomodate both competitions?. May be by spicing the first six months of the year with 'Why I Love Africa' and then the next six months with 'Why I Hate Africa' that would have been really exhaustive. I think with the whole year dedicated to a single competition makes it a little cumbersome as people could run out of ideas.
Israel Ambe Ayongwa, P.O. Box 49, Bamenda, Cameroon

Why I love Africa is ok though i sometimes feel like it paints the picture of Africa to be gloomy. We live very normal lives aside from the poverty and hunger and war. Some of us are in college, others working normal jobs etc.What is often said on the programme is only the sad facts of our continent which as Ms Wrong pointed out are funny.But anyway atleast you guys are saying somethings positive,so keep it up.
pilirani kufeani, chancellor college, p.o box 280 Zomba.

It is amazing for me to hear this journalist criticize what is a very positive competition. As someone who lives in Madagascar and works everyday with the malagasy people, I am the first to admit there are problems throughout the African region. I have been in other African countries and have seen firsthand the many problems and difficulties facing the people. But if you talk to the people about their respective country, they are proud of their country.
Jay Rostorfer, Antananarivo MADAGASCAR

"They don't want to have someone telling them to tell them to feel good about themselves" - neither do "they" want people like Michela telling the BBC not to tell "them" to feel good about themselves. How patronising and cynical Michela.
Tomboya, Birkenhead, Merseyside

The program provides listeners with a unique forum to express their ideas and opinions on a continent which is ironically very rich but unfortunately at the heart of poverty because of mismanagement and inadequate use of resources. It also allows the participants to air their frustration and by so doing they feel good even if things do not really change at the end of the day.
David Tiomajou, Peace Corps Cameroon PO Box 215 Yaoundé, Cameroon

I find it very offensive and had always believed that the motive is condescending in the first place. The writers may have some fun childhood memories that revolve around their particular families and upbringing. Please rename the competition to - "Why I love my community" and make it global. Thank you, Bosah
Bosah Akalutu,

While Ms Wrong has an interesting point of view, I must unfortunately disagree. "Why I love Africa" DOES capitalize on feel good stories and opinions; however, is that such a bad thing? We are looking at a singular positive column in a sea of articles on corruption, the AIDS epidemic, financial and basic needs which aren't being met, civil war, etc. It is not as though the BBC is sheilding from these stories of importance, or trying to sugar coat anything, it seems just a simple reminder that amidst a lot of problems, there are some positive things occuring as well.
Elyse Cooper-Smith, Claremont, Ca,

i deeply cherish the programme owing to the fact that it has enormously augmented my understanding of many cultures found in our dear motherland africa.africa is embeded with divergent cultures which is a force to reckoon with. in addition it has given listeners the opportunity to express their knowledge they possess about that the journalist can't comeby. i am thanking the brain behind the initiation of such a programme.bravo bbc for your good work and keep on exploring the unknown.
ALI JAWO, university of the gambia

It is so flabbergasting and disgusting to hear poeple chanting they love Africa with those inimical stories.Oblivious that it is a woe to live in Africa without much resources.I believe they come in with those articles just for the prize and I pray the bbc utilise that five minutes air time for a provfitable and important programme such as reading the biographies or autobiographies of great African leaders such as Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah,Jomo Kenyattah and Nhamdi Azikiwe to decolonise the brains of the pitably- deficient brained Africans.
Prince Fiifi Yawson(Student), Accra Ghana