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Bono and Bod Geldof have always campaigned for African Aid and have helped raise millions of cash in aid of poor African families. But to some, the two Irish rockers are now associated with a poor and weak Africa which is unable to help itself and depended on donor aid. So are they really good for Africa?

Personally I think Bono and Bob Geldof have done a great job raising money for those poor families in Africa. And also creating more awareness to the problems facing Africa.
Having grown up in rural Zimbabwe, I know how difficult life can be and how difficult it is for many families in Africa. For that reason I support anyone who is making an effort to make the lives of poor families better.

But Bono and Bod Geldof also have their critics, recently I read an article by Barry Malone writing for Reuters news agency from Ethiopia and he says;

“I’ve sat with Ethiopians in gardens lush with greenery and laughed about a land where according to Bono and Bob Geldof’s famous 1984 Band Aid song, “nothing ever grows, no rain and rivers flow.”

The article goes on to say

“for most Africans it’s a turn-off when Geldof and Bono are used to present a range of African issues, it perpetuates everything these guys claim to be speaking out against…..an Africa that is weak and incapable of picking itself up.”

Encouraging foreign investment in Africa will be far much better than the rich countries focusing more on Aid, is what some Africans believe to be the solution to Africa’s problems.

“Even though Bono and Bob Geldof now talk about foreign investment in Africa, they will always be associated with negative images of Africa and it discourages investment and tourists,” their critics say in the same article. The critics say there is a new generation of successful African people who should be used to promote the African continent.

I think Bono and Bob Geldof have done a very good job for Africa and are still using their time to do more great work for Africa. Being very popular individuals I believe Africa needs them and it stands to benefit more from their work even though some people think otherwise.

Feel free to add your contributions by posting your comments.

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