Simon Jeke Chanza

“We Speak English, But We Are Hungry”: The African Education Paradox

In many African schools, students are punished for mispronouncing English words — yet no one corrects them for not knowing how to plant a seed or raise a chicken.
We proudly speak fluent English, French, or Portuguese... but go to bed hungry. This is the tragic paradox of African education.

English: The Gatekeeper of Success

From the earliest days of school, African children are taught that English is the golden ticket to success. Whether you’re in Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, or Nigeria — passing English is often a requirement to move to the next level of education.
Fail English? You're out.
Fail Agriculture? No big deal — it's optional anyway.

Language skills open doors, yes. But can you eat grammar? Can you boil a well-written essay for dinner?

Agriculture: The Forgotten Lifeline

Africa is blessed with fertile land, a favorable climate, and a young population. Yet, we spend billions importing food — rice from Asia, wheat from Europe, and even tomatoes from countries with less sunshine than we have.

Why? Because agriculture is treated like a backup plan. A “Plan Z.”
It’s not glamorous. It’s not prestigious. It's often pushed to the background, seen as a last resort for those who “didn’t make it” in the white-collar world.

But without farmers, there is no food. And without food, no nation can stand.

Colonial Hangover

Let’s be honest. The root of this imbalance goes deep — into our colonial past.
Colonial powers needed a local elite to help run their administration. So they built schools where language — not land — was the priority. English was the tool of power. Farming? That was for peasants.

Fast forward to today: our systems still follow the same script. The medium of instruction is praised more than the content of survival. We're stuck in a system designed to serve someone else's dream.

A Crisis of Priorities

We have children who can define “photosynthesis” but can’t grow vegetables.
Graduates who write first-class dissertations, yet can’t produce one plate of food without imports.
A continent full of potential — but dependent on others for basic meals.

And all this while our rural farmers, the real heroes, are undervalued and unsupported.

What Needs to Change?

1. Make agriculture compulsory and practical in schools — not just theory from a textbook.

2. Invest in agricultural tech and youth-friendly farming programs.

3. Rebrand farming as a smart, modern career — not a fallback.

4. Balance the curriculum — yes, teach English (we need global communication), but not at the expense of the skills that keep us alive.

Conclusion: English is a Tool, Not a Meal

We’re not saying throw English away. Far from it — communication is powerful. But power means nothing when people are hungry.
Africa must shift its mindset: Food is power. Farming is freedom. Education must reflect reality.

Until then, we’ll keep speaking proper English… on an empty stomach.

Simon Jeke Chanza Sharing ...

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🔍 10 SIGNS YOU’RE BEING FOOLED BY A POLITICIAN

— by Symon Jeke (Public truth-teller. Politician stress-reliever.)

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1. They Only Visit When the Grass is Green

If the only time your MP visits is during campaign season, with a new haircut, fresh suit, and a convoy that creates dust storms, you’re not being loved—you’re being harvested. Real leaders show up even when there’s no election drum.

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2. Promises Sound Like Fairy Tales

If the politician says:

> “We’ll build a stadium, a university, and a chocolate factory in your village!”
but can’t even fix the local bridge...
Brother, you’re not in a development plan—you’re in an illusion show.

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3. They Blame the Previous Government (Forever)

If they’ve been in power for 7 years but still blaming a president who retired when your firstborn was teething, it’s time to realize:

> They’re experts in excuses, not solutions.

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4. Free T-shirts = Your Vote?

You scream for joy because they gave you a free T-shirt, 1kg of rice, and a party cap.
Meanwhile, they buy mansions with your tax money.

Newsflash: That T-shirt cost you 5 more years of potholes, blackouts, and broken clinics.

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5. Every Problem is ‘Being Looked Into’

Ask about poor roads?

> “We’re looking into it.”
Ask about teacher salaries?
“We’ve formed a committee.”
Ask about corruption?
“Investigations are underway.”

If they’re always “looking into” things, maybe we should start looking into a new leader.

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6. They Suddenly Speak Your Language (Sort of)

During campaigns, they pretend they’ve been part of the village since birth:

> “Ndife amodzi!” (We are one!)
Meanwhile, they call your village “Zone 14” in meetings because they forgot the real name.

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7. Development Photos Are Photoshopped

If they post development photos that you can't find in real life—and the school roof in the picture looks like it belongs in Dubai—congratulations, you’ve been given pixel progress.

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8. They’re Always at a “Conference”

Check their social media:
✈️ Zambia today,
✈️ Dubai tomorrow,
✈️ A “Summit” next week...

While your clinic runs out of Panadol, they’re discussing “Health Strategies” over wine.

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9. Their Kids Never Use What They Build

Ask yourself:

Do their kids attend local schools?

Get treated at local hospitals?

Drive on your dusty roads?

If not, they’re building cages for you, not homes for themselves.

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10. They Always Return With a New Excuse... And a New Song

Every term ends with the same pattern:

Failure.

Blame.

A new party color.

A fresh campaign song.

And just like that, they’re back shouting:

> “This time, we mean business!”

But it’s the same con... in a new uniform.

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🎯 Final Word:

If these signs look familiar, you’re not being governed—you’re being gamed.
It’s time to stop falling for clever words and start demanding real results.

Don’t vote for charm—vote for change.
Don’t clap for hunger. Don’t dance for potholes.
You deserve better.

Simon Jeke Chanza Sharing ...

Celebrating my 9th year on Facebook. Thank you for your continuing support. I could never have made it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

https://chat.whatsapp.com/BUfIbM8fCTS3sNmdgzBgka

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Family

The best revenge is massive success 🙌

"A man and his wife went to the zoo. They found a Monkey who was passionately playing with his female. His wife said to him, "What a romantic animal."

Then, they found a Lion and his Lioness separated from each other; the silent Lion sat alone in his corner as if the Lioness doesn't exist. His wife said to him, "What a sad scene without love."

Her husband then said to her, “Throw that stone at the Lioness and watch.” When she threw the stone at the Lioness, the Lion roar to defend his Lioness, then she was asked to repeat it with the Monkey, the Monkey then jumped up and climbed the tree 🎄 and abandoned his female to save his own skin.

Her husband then told her, “Do not be deceived by what you see as romance in outward show, often times, it is a deceptive appearance just to hide an empty heart; there are others on the contrary who are relaxed, but their hearts are full of sincere love."

Presently, we have so many in the monkey 🙊 shadow, and few Lion 🦁 nowadays."

God is good always 🙏
Trust Him, He never disappoints.

Wish people well because their success will not limit yours.

𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧.