The Plight of African Worker and Economic Starvation

A New Historicism Theory Survey of Kiswahili Drama in Five Decades

Abstract

This paper analyses Kiswahili drama in the quest to signify that for decades, the sorry state of workers has informed the lack of economic growth in many African states other matters notwithstanding. The marginalization and paying only lip services to workers’ plights have impacted negatively the socio-economic development across the continent. This paper argues that, the unceasing industrial unrests in the workforce in many African states is the reason economies in Africa have stagnated for decades. To lead the discussion, the paper sought to indulge three selected Kiswahili playlists using New Historicism Theory for data. The selected texts are: Kilio cha Haki (1981), Visiki (1984) and Mstahiki Meya (2009). The paper hypothesizes that, poor working conditions and opaque and draconian labour laws are responsible for the mess. The turmoil is further compounded by greedy political elites and mean economic players. The discussion concedes that, for Africa to jumpstart socio-economic and political development, its economies aided by a strong workforce is necessary. The paper concludes that Africa needs to reap benefits from big workforce and stop migrant workers that leave to seek for favourable working conditions elsewhere. Strong labour laws, workers’ representations and inter-state free labour movements will help ease labour shortage in the continent. Reaping into immense natural resources and discouraging economic zoning by selfish individuals would see Africa rule the world.