Obama bashers would like us to brush off Barack Obama as another capitalist nigger who would continue where George Bush left off. I would like to differ. I think Obama deserves better, especially from black people in the US and in the diaspora.

Obama bashers would like us to brush off Barack Obama as another capitalist nigger who would continue where George Bush left off. I would like to differ. I think Obama deserves better, especially from black people in the US and in the diaspora.

Black Africa must not rest on its laurels because a black man looks set to take residence in the White House. They must get a wish lists ready as Obama will listen to them regarding US foreign policy towards Africa.

The American supremacist mentality will linger on in his presidency, but so what? Did white supremacy die after black majority rule in South Africa?

So how can a man with only a biological connection to Africa change America when people who were jailed, killed and exiled from the country of their birth could not change South Africa significantly? The mineral riches and land is still owned and controlled by whites, who make up only 11 percent of the SA population.

In his biography, Obama says Malcolm X inspires him. How many African leaders would acknowledge that the black martyr had been an influence in their political thinking when campaigning for presidency?

Obama will not only change the US, but he will change people's perception of it in the same way that Kofi Annan tried to change the UN.

Zwelithini Mavuso, Driekoppies