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On the Elusiveness of Epistemic Freedom in Africa and the Need to Unmask the Colonial Contract

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Africa and the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Abstract

The chapter lays the foundation for the book by broadly exploring what Africa needs to do in order for it to turn the Fourth Industrial Revolution from being a curse just like the past three Industrial Revolutions into a resource. Three key components for turning the 4IR from being a curse into a resource are identified. These are (1) ethical leadership, (2) just leadership and (3) epistemic freedom. The chapter calls for masking the colonial contract using epistemic freedom as the first step in ensuring that Africa looks after its national interests. Africa’s national interests are its: (1) human capital, (2) natural capital, (3) social capital, (4) epistemic capital and (5) financial and built capital. Safeguarding these five capitals is a key component in pushing back the five monopolies of colonialism and capitalism which are monopoly over: (1) war and weapons, (2) finance, (3) natural resources, (4) technology and (5) the media. In using epistemic independence, Africa will be seeking to gain control of its political and economic autonomy which is important in ensuring that the continent benefits equitably from the 4IR.

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  1. 1 Preller Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0003, South Africa

    Everisto Benyera

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  1. Everisto Benyera
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Correspondence to Everisto Benyera .

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  1. Department of Political Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

    Everisto Benyera

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Benyera, E. (2022). On the Elusiveness of Epistemic Freedom in Africa and the Need to Unmask the Colonial Contract. In: Benyera, E. (eds) Africa and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87524-4_1

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