With so many questions and negativity around the well being of Africa as a continent, the creation of the website ‘Ideally My Africa’ rose from a search for self-identity in Africa and to work through those issues by way of community interaction. The search for pride or the lack of it, was cited as the main underlying factor contributing to the mass exodus to non-African countries and lethargic attitudes by a large portion of the continent’s youth. This missing pride that is calling to the youth is a result of them not having a direct part to play in the solutions to their own community’s issues. The youth have not had easy access to any way of doing good for their communities, as ‘an inherent need to do good is at the crux of all humanity.’ Hence the website exists as a platform for the youth, those who always see the glass half empty or all those who see it as half full and those who just want a better Africa; an opportunity to provide solutions to what they believe has or might cripple Africa.

Launched about two months ago by Nick Benson, the website is easy to navigate and promotes easy communication between visitors as well as users. The website allows anyone in the world to tell their intelligent and innovative solution to Africa’s issues and the site will promote and follow up on those ideas. In that way, hopefully someone in a position that can help, does help. The concept is very simple and easy to understand; people can come together propose solutions, discuss those solutions and put them into viable, sustainable actions. They can all come together for the common good. And eventually, hopefully, things can be done. Rather than sitting and moaning about the world around them!

The strength of the site is the power it gives communities, encouraging them to come together to actively take control of the world that they live in; to move in a direction for change. To create their own waves, rather than waiting for their waves to rise.

Asked on the impact of the site so far, Nick Benson, the site founder explains; “people are starting to think, to question and to move” He stress the point that “Attitudes do not change overnight. They are a learnt response to situations, not a trip switch. And this is clearly seen as a long term campaign. But hopefully, by showing people what is out there; by getting those creative minds churning. By getting people to just think and share and use that African ingenuity and not rely on Big Corporate or Government to come up with all the solutions. That ordinary people can simply talk, share, motivate and move towards a bright, adventure filled future, together,”

Urging Africans to become pro-active in the face of Africa’s issues is the website’s clear message. To change the way people are treated and how far Africa can go, as a continent, as a community, as a spirit.