Importance Of Nationalism In Africa

Nationalism is a social movement that focuses on a particular nation. Nationalism basically refers to the support of one’s own nation.

As such, African nationalism is a political movement that is carried out for the sake of the association or unity of Africa. It is sometimes compared to Pan-Africanism.

Pan-Africanism is a political movement that aimed to end colonialism in Africa.

Nationalism can also be referred to as a nation’s need to take control of the social, political and economic elements of their country, which rightfully belong to them.

It has been described as an anti-colonial movement that seeks to return power to the people belonging to a particular nation or state.

It can be seen as a sense of national pride and identity as

With western culture having taken root in many parts of the continent, urban centres and modern cities emerged, enabling people to benefit from formal education and therefore become more outspoken about oppression.

Importance of Nationalism

In South Africa, African nationalism started as a movement aimed at transforming the identity of the people. As opposed to seeing themselves as different tribes, nationalist leaders wanted Africans to view themselves as a single people from the same country, with the same history.

Over the course of history Nationalism in Africa has contributed to independence and a sense of cultural identity. It has helped many African nations retain their culture, even as westernization has grown in parts of the continent.

Dangers associated with nationalism

However, nationalism is not without its flaws.

In fact, scholars like Heywood (2000) argue that nationalism is may sometimes lead to discrimination among different states because it emphasizes the differences between people.

It also encourages people to take pride in their country while identifying other nations as either oppressive or