Introduction
Every human society today can be broadly categorized into two groups: the ordinary masses and the extraordinary elites. The extraordinary individuals are those who enjoy privileges such as security escorts, unrestricted mobility, media amplification of their voices, and the power to shape policies and decisions. In contrast, the ordinary people live in relative obscurity—their voices go unheard, their struggles remain unnoticed, and their freedoms are limited, including the inability to seek medical treatment abroad at will.
What fundamentally distinguishes these groups is not merely their status but the nature of the problems they face and the solutions they pursue. For instance, an ordinary person on the streets of Johannesburg grapples with basic survival, such as securing food for the day. If unable to find sustainable means to do so, they may resort to desperate measures, including theft or violence. Meanwhile, an elite individual contends with issues of power, security, and influence, seeking to consolidate their position by expanding private control over political and economic systems. While both groups face challenges that are, in their respective contexts, logical and justifiable, the critical issue is that ordinary people often mistake the interests of the elites as their own. As a result, they neglect to prioritize their own needs and aspirations.
This tendency can be attributed to a lack of awareness, as well as the entrenched culture of domination and submission that permeates society. This essay seeks to emphasize the vital role of ordinary people in shaping societal change, particularly in demonstrating how they can achieve extraordinary outcomes. History has shown that even enslaved people have risen against oppression and redefined their destinies—so why should the free men and women of 21st-century Africa not do the same?
Who can change the society?
Africa faces the dual challenges of imperialist neocolonialism and corrupt leadership. However, an equally critical yet often overlooked issue is the messianic mindset prevalent among ordinary Africans. This mindset fosters the belief that meaningful change in society can only be achieved through the emergence of a powerful leader with extraordinary abilities or through divine intervention.
As a result, many ordinary Africans distance themselves from taking responsibility for the current state of their societies, let alone shaping their future. Their hope is not in their own ability—or that of their children—to drive change but rather in the miraculous intervention of a saviour, be it a religious figure or a charismatic political leader. Consequently, some of the poorest communities in Africa are also among the most deeply religious, where prayer is often seen as the primary means of ending suffering rather than active efforts to improve socio-economic conditions. Those who do not seek refuge in religious institutions often rally behind charismatic leaders whose influence is rooted in tribalistic fervour rather than substantive governance.
Notably, when ordinary Africans engage with such leaders, their demands rarely centre on power redistribution or systemic change. Instead, their primary concerns tend to revolve around short-term material benefits, such as food parcels and campaign merchandise. The most significant effort many have undertaken in pursuit of change is participation in elections, believing that casting a vote today will miraculously transform society overnight. This reliance on external forces reflects a widespread lack of an internal locus of control, reinforcing the idea that prayer and electoral processes alone can bring about national transformation.
However, the fundamental question remains: Who can truly change society? The answer, emphasized throughout this discussion, is that ordinary people themselves possess the power to reshape the societies in which they live. Neither divine intervention nor charismatic leaders will bring about sustainable change. Instead, transformation begins with a shift in mindset, beliefs, and attitudes—one that fosters proactive mobilisation, activism and mobilisation for collective action toward progress.
Political Mobilization
The first fundamental shift in belief and attitude that ordinary people must embrace to transform their society is active political participation. In many African communities, politics is often viewed as inherently corrupt and immoral, yet it remains the most powerful force shaping daily life. The notion that politics should be left exclusively to politicians is a dangerous misconception, in fact, politics is very important to be left with politicians alone. And disengagement from political affairs only serves to disempower ordinary citizens, leaving crucial decisions about their future and that of their children in the hands of a select few. The current global imbalance of power is, in part, a direct consequence of the political apathy of the masses. Therefore, political engagement is not just an option; it is the first and most crucial step in creating a just and equitable society.
A clear example of this dynamic can be seen in the trajectory of Pan-Africanist movements. While these movements have made notable contributions, their long-term impact remains questionable due to the inconsistent progress they have achieved—often advancing one step forward only to fall two steps back. Historically, Pan-Africanist movements have been effective in formulating visionary policies and strategies for change. However, they have relied on politicians already in power to implement these policies, only to witness their reversal a few years later when new leaders with different agendas took office. Meanwhile, Pan-Africanists have remained on the streets, staging protests and burning tires in demand for change, rather than securing the power to enact it themselves.
From this, it is evident that the true transformation advocated by Pan-Africanists can only be achieved and sustained if they take an active role in governance. The time has come for Pan-Africanism to evolve beyond activism and actively engage in the political arena. Rather than remaining as external pressure groups, Pan-Africanists must establish political parties across the continent, participate in electoral processes, and directly shape policies from positions of power. Real change is not demanded from the streets—it is enacted from the halls of governance.
Community Activism
The crises that afflict nations are, at their core, crises that disproportionately impact ordinary people. Whether it is a disease outbreak, food shortages, inflation, or economic collapse, it is the common masses who bear the brunt of these hardships. In contrast, the extraordinary elite have the means to shield themselves from the worst effects of societal turmoil. They can seek advanced medical treatment abroad, send their children to foreign schools if local education standards decline, or relocate entirely to more stable environments. For them, crises are inconveniences to be avoided; for ordinary people, they are struggles to endure, with survival being their only uncertain option.
This stark disparity underscores why ordinary citizens must take ownership of the political agenda and actively drive the solutions they seek. The extraordinary elite, insulated from the struggles of the masses, often do not prioritize or even recognize the urgency of these challenges. Therefore, meaningful change in Africa must be led by the ordinary people, through grassroots activism that extends far beyond the periodic act of voting. The belief that a nation can be rebuilt solely through elections—particularly procedural elections branded as democracy—is a misconception. What was systematically dismantled through deliberate policies and actions cannot be restored simply by casting a ballot; rather, it requires sustained and organized effort to reconstruct society. The responsibility of rebuilding Africa, therefore, rests largely on the ordinary people through various forms of activism—political, economic, and social.
Community activism, in particular, serves as the most effective means of educating the masses in a way that formal schooling cannot. Many scholars have emphasized that Africa’s progress depends on a critically aware and well-educated population. However, such education is not confined to classrooms; it is cultivated through direct involvement in activism. Through engagement in their communities, people gain a deeper understanding of their challenges and are empowered to develop practical, locally driven solutions. All genuine revolutions arise from the lived experiences and struggles of ordinary people, not from ideas imported from foreign lands. It is through their collective action that extraordinary change is forged.
Building organisations
The fundamental question that arises at this stage is: how can ordinary people successfully transform society through political activism? The short answer lies in collective action. While activism is essential, when pursued in isolation, it often leads to frustration or even personal risk. History has shown that solitary activism, though noble, rarely results in lasting change.
For instance, there have been global calls to condemn or boycott Apple products due to their alleged links to child labour in Africa, where essential minerals are mined under exploitative conditions. If an individual chooses, in isolation, to boycott the iPhone, it has little to no effect on the company’s revenue or brand reputation—only the individual suffers the inconvenience of going without a smartphone. However, if iPhone users collectively organize a movement and coordinate targeted action, the impact would be significantly more substantial. The same principle applies to all levels of activism—whether at the community, national, or continental level—where collective action has always been the driving force behind ordinary people achieving extraordinary results.
This reality underscores the need for community-based organizations. Effective collective activism can only be properly planned, implemented, and sustained through organized structures. The powerlessness of ordinary people is not due to a lack of potential but rather a lack of institutions through which their energy and efforts can be directed toward meaningful change. Strong organizations have the ability to amplify individual voices into a collective force—turning one voice into a thousand, one opinion into a movement, and one dollar into a powerful financial resource capable of sustaining significant action.
Ultimately, the transformation of society requires more than sporadic protests or individual resistance—it demands institutionalized activism, where ordinary people unite under strong organizations that can drive sustained efforts for political, economic, and social change.
Conclusion
The world is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, the outcome of which remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: the consequences of this global transition will likely be devastating for the majority—the ordinary people. The only path to salvation for the masses is to abandon reliance on solutions crafted by elites who do not share their struggles or destinies.
Ordinary people must awaken to the reality that neither charismatic leaders nor religious institutions hold the key to their liberation. True hope lies in collective action at the community level, where grassroots efforts can lead to tangible change. This transformation requires an education rooted in activism, which, in turn, fosters the development of strong organizations and institutions capable of defending the interests of the people.
A true patriot cannot afford to be a passive observer while others make critical decisions that shape their life and future. Instead, patriotism must be actively expressed through organization and participation. As Kwame Ture once declared, if you are always organized, you will always get things done. Without organization, you will accomplish nothing.
Revolutionaries across Africa, the time is now—let us organize!