The 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama has said he'll be coming to Africa this week.
The father-of-two made the announcement via his Facebook page and went on to recommend amazing African literary works he's found inspiring. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel, Americanah, was one of the novels he recommended for summer reading.
He wrote:
This week, I’m traveling to Africa for the first time since I left office – a continent of wonderful diversity, thriving culture, and remarkable stories.
I was proud to visit sub-Saharan Africa more times than any other sitting President, and I’ll return this week to visit Kenya and South Africa. In South Africa, the Obama Foundation will convene 200 extraordinary young leaders from across the continent and I’ll deliver a speech to mark the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth. Kenya, of course, is the Obama ancestral home. I visited for the first time when I was in my twenties and I was profoundly influenced by my experiences – a journey I wrote about in my first book, Dreams from My Father.
Over the years since, I've often drawn inspiration from Africa's extraordinary literary tradition. As I prepare for this trip, I wanted to share a list of books that I’d recommend for summer reading, including some from a number of Africa’s best writers and thinkers – each of whom illuminate our world in powerful and unique ways.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
A true classic of world literature, this novel paints a picture of traditional society wrestling with the arrival of foreign influence, from Christian missionaries to British colonialism. A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world.
A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong’o
A chronicle of the events leading up to Kenya’s independence, and a compelling story of how the transformative events of history weigh on individual lives and relationships.
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
Mandela’s life was one of the epic stories of the 20th century. This definitive memoir traces the arc of his life from a small village, to his years as a revolutionary, to his long imprisonment, and ultimately his ascension to unifying President, leader, and global icon. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand history – and then go out and change it.
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
From one of the world’s great contemporary writers comes the story of two Nigerians making their way in the U.S. and the UK, raising universal questions of race and belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora, and the search for identity and a home.
The Return by Hisham Matar
A beautifully-written memoir that skillfully balances a graceful guide through Libya’s recent history with the author’s dogged quest to find his father who disappeared in Gaddafi’s prisons.
The World As It Is by Ben Rhodes
It’s true, Ben does not have African blood running through his veins. But few others so closely see the world through my eyes like he can. Ben’s one of the few who’ve been with me since that first presidential campaign. His memoir is one of the smartest reflections I’ve seen as to how we approached foreign policy, and one of the most compelling stories I’ve seen about what it’s actually like to serve the American people for eight years in the White House.
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***barred word*** MAN, AFRICA IS A CONTINENT NOT A COUNTRY, OKEY? AND THE AFRIKANS DON´T NEED YOU. IT WAS YOUR DIRTY POLICIES AGAINST AFRICA THAT CREATED ALL THOSE TROUBLES IN LIBYA AND THE BLACK AFRICANS IN NORTH AFRICA!!!! GO HOME OBAMA TO YOUR MAMA, YOU SICK!!!!
Thank you Nana, Ogo and Amoako. You all could not have stated it better. What is this empty coat coming to do in "Africa" ?
Thank God you are coming to Africa, please Mr. President don't visit Kenya and South Africa alone infact all Africans will be very happy if you extend your visit to Libya to see the harm that you have caused the continent. And please don't forget to compare now and Gadhafi's time and see which one is better. LIBYA welcome you. #africaspain
Correct, you are visiting Kenya and south Africa and NOT the whole of Africa, Africa in NOT a country BUT a CONTINENT if you care to know.
Do not come to Africa, stay in your America you believe.We all followed you blindly thinking our own is coming to help but you are the worst America president we have had in terms of helping Africa.President ***barred word*** instituted the Millennium Challenge Account which Tanzania and Ghana benefited $720 and $540 million respectively for the initial chunk. This fund was established at the time banking melt down and crisis was prevalent. President Clinton also established the malaria eradication programme for Africa and Ghana had $67 million.The examples can go on and on. Mr Obama tell us one single country in Africa you helped in your 8 years presidency and one policy on Africa you sent to the congress and was even rejected. Stay in your US and let us have our peace.
Coming to Africa to do what? to push further the gay and lesbian agander in the name of freedom of expression? and long speachers which yield no result? please dont come and waste our time. Africa is better without you.
you are coming to Africa to do what?There are no more Qaddafis here to eliminate so why are you coming to Africa?You a damn traitor and betrayor of your people obama so back off Africa.