African people can learn a lesson or two from Jews

There has been a point in time when man has oppressed fellow man, making him do his bidding. Morally speaking, it should not be like this, but it has happened and continues to happen. After observing the Jews’ ability to start afresh after several bouts of oppression, Mark Twain said the following of them: “All things are mortal but the Jew.” To be fair, Jews are not the only people that have faced oppression, but their ability to pick up the pieces sets them apart.

In addition to their supposed immortality, another thing sets them apart: their wealth. Jews are wealthy and successful. Some interesting facts to ascertain this: One third of American multi-millionaires are Jewish; 25 per cent of all American Nobel winners are Jewish; 20 per cent of professors at leading universities are Jewish; and four of the top 10 Fortune’s 2018 list of the most powerful women in America are Jewish.

DIAMONDS

Africa is a rich continent brimming with oil, diamonds, and copper among others. Our weather? Perfect, and we could easily be the world’s food basket.

Unlike the Jews, we can own as land. In 2016, there were 14 million Jews while Africa had a population of 1.2 billion. But even with the minerals and numbers, Africa is one of the poorest continents in the world. Like the Jews, we, too, have been oppressed.

But what do Jews have that Africans don’t and what can we learn from them? The devil is in the detail.

Jews value education. Gaining knowledge for knowledge’s sake is a fundamental Jewish value. They go to school to gain education and skills. Steven Silbiger refers to this as “portable wealth.” All wealth begins with knowledge. With foresight. As a result, they flourish wherever they find themselves.

What value does education hold in our continent?

DEBT

Jews also have a sober view of wealth and debt. To them, wealth is good and is for their children’s children. Talk about being futuristic.

It is a tool for which they can change the world. Therefore, they are prepared to acquire it because acquiring wealth is hard.

A great education plus skills equals great jobs or successful businesses, and with that the process of wealth creation starts.

Wealth creation begins with saving, not betting. Debt is a cancer. No matter how difficult the economy is, you should save, no matter how little.

However, it’s not enough to save. You must invest, making your capital to work for you. Investing is never risk-free, but invest nonetheless.

So read up about money. Know how that world works, and see how you can plug in. What are you leaving for your future generation? If you leave nothing for them but debt, you are a bad person.

SUFFERED

What’s more, Jews understand that God and the world owe them nothing. Yes they suffered, still suffer, but instead of complaining of how unfair the world is, they do something. They understand that no one else can solve their problems but them. Africans have blamed God, slavery, colonisation, other black people, the government, etc. When will we do something? No amount of prayer can substitute hard work and common sense.

(By the way, Jews have the same Abrahamic covenant we have). No one owes us anything.

Jews also take care of each other. They support their businesses and professionals. Can the same be said of us?

SUBSTANDARD GOODS

Why should anyone feel sorry for us when we don’t support our own? Why should we buy from you when you deliver substandard goods/services?

Supporting our own kind doesn’t mean we’re losing. Having many of us at the top means greater influence.

These are tough lessons. Painful, but necessary. Not easy but doable still. Change is required. Let’s learn from the Jews and put our act together. Otherwise, a few years from now we’ll be blaming the Chinese!

Ms Wanjohi is the founder of Mazingira Safi Initiative. [email protected]