Grandiose Parlor

Hash’s (at White African) blog response (“Where were the Hippos?”) to the Economist article on the TED African conference is interesting. This is the statement that provoked the Hash:

There were notably few of the hard-knuckle African politicians who often run the interior or defence ministry or act as kingmakers, sometimes bankrolling rotten presidents. - Economist

The issue raised in the Economist is valid. And I don’t think the writer is “missing the bigger picture” either.

The Arusha TED conference pulled its attendees mainly from the social catalyst and entrepreneur/business crowd – who came with the “we can do” mentality and highly energized to proselytize the gospel of the change that Africa needs so badly. While this was fantastic and offered an unprecedented opportunity to see Africa in a new light and spur fresh and creative ideas, the inclusion of the Hippos - the “hard-knuckle African politicians and kingmakers” - would have made the event more wholesome. Just as the presence of Bono and Ayittey - two die-hard pro-aid and pro-trade proponents – lent some balance and interesting perspectives to the conference deliberation, the presence of the Hippos would have done same.

The Hippos are not becoming irrelevant as Hash emphatically states in his post; they continue to dominate core segments of the African public sector! And will not be made to disappear just by the abundant passion and creativity the Cheetahs possess.

If the plan of the Cheetah generation is to “wrestle” power from the Hippos, acquire more clout and/or attain widespread social impact via their ventures, they need to find ways get into the heads of the Hippos. At the very least present some notable Hippos the opportunity to listen to their messages. This kind of communication and interaction is yet to happen in Africa…maybe this ought to be the next TED agenda for Africa or in the minds of the TED Fellows as they continue their post conference discussions.