There is ongoing debate and discussion
in both official and unofficial forums about the destiny of Ethiopia.
This growing interest in the condition of our country is perhaps one
of the best products of having celebrated our third Millennium. Capital
went about town, recorder in hand, to get a roundup of what we shall
call the ‘D’ factor – this week’s topic; are
we a desperate nation or not? Read on to find out what the street
thinks.
D-Day
The individuals whose comments appear below were randomly selected.
However, there was method to that randommess – as we planned
it so that the responses we solicit must be representative of Addis
society. We also thought we should expect that the guy driving a
million birr Lexus SUV could never be as bitter as the one who lives
and earns on the street.
We were in for a rude shock. It appears from our little survey that
well – off Ethiopians are actually more pessimistic about
the future than those who subsist on meager pickings. This reality
was eloquently underscored by Yirga, a penniless 30 something year
old whom we found selling the twigs Ethiopians prefer to the ferenge
toothbrush. Yirga sells each “Mefakia” for five cents
and takes “home” – a plastic and cardboard shelter,
all of Birr 2 on a good day.
So how desparate is Ethiopia … in Yirga’s terms? We
put it to him and he cut us off dismissively almost before we could
make the question coherent…
‘Wey Gude!” (Amharic for, Hell, no!’), I don’t
understand what desperation means. Does it mean not living in a
proper house? Is it not wearing nice clothes and being so broke
that you can’t afford to date a girl you’re sweet on?
For me and most of my friends, being together in adversity, sharing
what little we have, these things prevent us from becoming what
you call ‘desperate’. As for Ethiopia, ‘Men-Cheger
Ale? This is a blessed land – all we ask is that God provide
a meal for each mouth he created.
Needless to say, his cheerfulness in the face of such obvious poverty
humbled us and we expected nothing less than more of Yirga’s
kind of sunshine when we approached an elegantly clad We Mesh. (We
tat mesay Shimagele) swearing at a snazzy cellphone. He tensed up
when he saw our recorder but soon relaxed when we told him we’re
from Capital.
“You are asking me if our country is desperate or not? Of
course, it is! I’m trying to call my daughter in San Diego.
I’m sure she’s also trying to get through but nothing!
No lines at all as long as ETC has a monopoly…!
We extricated ourselves with some difficulty from this consummate
snob and started looking for other better souls.
Do you think Ethiopia is a hopeful or desparate country as it enters
the third millennium?
Thank you for asking me this question. By the way, will you really
publish my reply? I sure hope so. Anyway, here’s what I think;
Ever hear of the expression, Kristian Tesfa Aykortem, (A Christian
never gives up)? Well, I know I may be politically incorrect but
this is a very Christian country and by God, we are not and never
will be a desperate country!
Alish, neighborhood banker
Desperate? Duh?? Of course! Ethiopia has entered the third millennium
in a very normal condition – we are a perpetually desperate
country whose inhabitants (almost all- the well – off are
so few that they hardly register) barely manage to survive from
day to day. I mean, how desperate is that?
Shewa, Laundress
We are registering unprecedented levels of economic growth and
people, that is a fact, not EPDRF propaganda. It amazes me how quickly
Ethiopians become cynical (Werertegna). This is from a people who
for 17 years tolerated a government that for instance, required
a special permit to invite a few couples for dinner …! Desperate?
I ‘ll tell you who is desperate – Its me – I don’t
understand my people at all!
Kurat,DJ
I think the world in general – life itself – is in
a constant state of hopefulness and desperation. This is the normal
course of creation. Nothing can be taken in absolute terms. The
most developed and wealthiest countries in the world routinely register
considerable cases of psychological disorder such as depression
and also have higher rates of suicide compared to us poor nations
in Africa. Desperation is a matter of relativity.
Selam, geographer
Ok, so lets say Ethiopia is more than a little desperate as it
enters its third millennium. What is the establishment of this fact
going to serve us? I think we elaborate too much on the negativities
in our country and not enough on how exactly we can tackle problems.
I say lets talk solutions instead of confusion.
Aaron – student
As a resident foreigner, I certainly do not detect any indications
of desperation. In fact, I think Ethiopians especially since the
last couple of months, have become quite positive in their individual
and collective outlook. I think Ethiopia’s finest hour is
yet to come!
K.Mohajer – company representative
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