Africa can be self-sustaining, but it will require drastic measures such as cutting ties with some of the developed countries. 

Incompetent leaders and poor governance have hindered the success of the continent, which is hugely incorporated with acts of corruption. 

How is it that we still have colonial laws in place? Is it to protect assets of our colonies? The African Union (AU) must look into this, from country to country. The fight should be against poverty and not our fellow brothers and sisters as it has been the case in South Africa.

We as people of the continent must refocus our attention towards the need to renew our continent and we can only do that if there is a will. 

Unfortunately, some of us can only contribute from a writing perspective of which I hope that those in positions of authority to practically do something can read and implement what we are writing. 

The biggest challenge to the developmental agenda of the African continent is the level at which African countries are borrowing be it from China, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and or other Eastern and Western countries. 

What is worse is that innocent African people must cover these debts through the adoption or increase of various taxes, and this is one of the reasons a country such as Namibia is one of the highest taxing countries globally. 

It could have been better if borrowing was done to create employment, which will mean that the newly employed will service the debt through their monthly income tax deductions. 

That is how to borrow with good intention as it equally implies that unemployment will
 be reduced as much as the debt will be
serviced.

 The other thing that we have to be critically mindful of is aid. 

These countries are giving us aid with one hand while the other hand is extracting our natural resources at no cost, a Latin phrase called quid pro quo. 

Sometimes we do not need to seek aid but to ask our African countries to help us during hardships. How is it right to go seeking help from your neighbour while you did not think about asking your capable parents? 

African countries need to invest more in helping each other out as it will create trust and it will further reunite the African continent. 

If we are to speak monetary within the continent there is a need to come up with a continental currency because we can no longer be comfortable with being told that the American dollar (US$) is the global trading currency. 

If the Europeans can have the Euro as a continental currency, why is it a challenge for the African continent? After all the inception of the continental currency will ensure that trading between member countries is smooth and so much easier. 

Historically, the continental currency was the dream of Kwame Nkrumah it is about time we make that dream a reality.

Concerning languages, we cannot be reluctant and comfortable being told that the English language is the universal language. 

Africa must adopt a continental language, this will allow us to have a common language and it will save us the challenge of trying to learn English or French or German, and or Portuguese to communicate with fellow African citizens. The beautiful language of Swahili of Kenya and Tanzania is a perfect fit for a continental language.

An independent anti-corruption commission on a continental stage to overlook corrupt activities within African countries can help combat and reduce corruption on the continent. 

The African Anti-Corruption Agency (TAACA) reads as a serious problem-solving agency. Irresponsible political leaderships hamper effective political activities on the continent. The reason we have political conflicts (civil wars and presidents overstaying on power) in Africa is due to awful leadership and bad governance. 

The forceful overstaying of the late Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe even when election results indicated at the late Morgan Tsvangirai won can be classified as bad governance. However, what transpired within the Zambian political spectrum is acts of good politics and adherence to the rule of law. When people and political parties rightfully win any sort of election, we are ought to adhere to the electoral results even though the results are not in our favour. 

Overall, the continent is better off if it is freed from ineffective political leadership, as well as autocratic and arrogant politicians. 

The message to the young people of Africa is that it is your duty to elect competent leaders into positions of authority. 

The time to vote based on merits is upon us, we have no reason to put people in power based on what they did in the liberation struggle. The future is based on economic emancipation, and we should adjust as such. Even though young people are supposed to take over, they need to do it in a dignified manner that is free of disrespecting and humiliating the elders. 

If you do your research, you will notice that in critical matters where Africa needs itself to solve a conflicting matter, the rest of the world tend to have a final say on what is to be done and the decision to be taken. Africa must stop wanting to be told what to do and how to run our respective countries. 

Moreover, statistics bear out the impression that conflict on the continent is getting worse and not improving. The war in South Sudan, the collapse of the state in Somalia and the conflicts in Mozambique, Burundi and Nigeria are serious cases of concern that indicate that our continent is deteriorating.

The continent must deliver on the developmental agenda. The continent must take action towards political instabilities, and it has to fight against corruption, poverty, and the lack of the rule of law. There is still hope for the continent to deliver but we must also know that hope is not going to be with us forever.