![]() Wainaina offers advice of how to increase sales: mentioning the light in Africa, the sunset, having a photo of “a heroic looking conservationalist” on the front cover, describing how one has come to love Africa, and cannot live without her etc. These people are to be found in their “30,000 acre game ranch or conservation area”, but one must not make the mistake of asking them how much they pay their labourers. No wonder anyone who wishes to publish a book about Africa(to raise awareness) must interview the conservationist, the people on the ground, who have lived from first hand, the African experience. Africans are helpless, only other people can right things the West is Africa’s Messiah. Much of Africa’s plight is brought to light: the landscape, the tribal practices (FGM), corruption, name it. According to them, “Real Africa” is where it is “hot and steamy”, with “thin people who are starving”, their “prominent ribs” showing, waiting for food from the West. ![]() ![]() This is a satirical essay about the common prejudices held by foreigners or non Africans (who write books) about Africa. He is the founding editor of Kwani? (So What?), a literary magazine. ![]() ![]() He won the 2002 Caine Prize for his short story “Discovering Home”. ![]()
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