Online Reporter
By Correspondent
YOUNG Africans must take the lead in building a united and prosperous continent by embracing collaboration and breaking free from colonial-era divisions that continue to undermine Africa’s development, delegates at the HERFRICAA Summit heard.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the summit, Vitality Wellness lead consultant Edith Maziofa Tapfuma said Africa’s future depended on a generation willing to look beyond national boundaries and champion a common continental agenda.
“A united Africa should have a transnational agenda, a unified and collaborative agenda,” she said, urging young people to prioritise collective progress over narrow national interests.
Maziofa Tapfuma said the continent’s younger generation was uniquely positioned to drive integration because it was less burdened by the historical experiences that shaped many of Africa’s current leaders.
She noted that while liberation struggles were instrumental in securing independence across the continent, they had also influenced the outlook of many leaders who continue to approach development from the perspective of defending sovereignty and preserving gains made during the fight against colonial rule.
“My generation and those before me are tied to that era of being colonised and defending our territories and national sovereignty. That history is important, but it has also affected how we see the future,” she said.
Maziofa Tapfuma challenged young Africans to use their creativity, innovation and ability to connect across borders to foster stronger regional cooperation and redefine Africa’s place in the world.
She said colonialism had left lasting divisions through language and education systems that separated countries into English, French, Portuguese and Arabic-speaking blocs, often limiting interaction and collaboration.
“Once you start thinking beyond your own country and consider the needs of your brother or sister in another African country, you realise that this can no longer serve a united Africa,” she said.
The wellness consultant also warned against the persistence of negative stereotypes about Africa, saying many people had internalised narratives portraying the continent as poor and dependent.
“Unfortunately, colonisation did that to us. We were told that Africa is poor, that Africa is backward, and some of us began to believe that Africa is behind the rest of the world,” she said.
However, she argued that Africa possesses immense resources, talent and opportunities that position it as a critical player in global development.
“The truth is that the rest of the world actually needs Africa,” said Maziofa Tapfuma, calling on Africans to recognise their value and work together to unlock the continent’s full potential.
The HERFRICAA Summit brought together women leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers and young changemakers from across Africa to discuss leadership, innovation and strategies for accelerating the continent’s transformation.
