Is there a word for retirement in African languages? Retirement in Africa has never meant not working. Traditionally in our communities, different age groups played varied roles, which was their work. The most mature in society eventually became advisers, mentors, and judges in the community.
The New African has also not taken up retirement as an option. I hardly know anyone who truly retired. Those I heard of when I was a child died shortly after retirement. It is believed out of depression and loss of status. I have not had the opportunity to observe Africans laze out their retirement years. Most have just gone back to work as consultants in a profession close to that which they had while at work or gone into farming business with different levels of success. What has been your experience?
Considering the experiences of baby boomers and the generation before. All over the world, pension plans and other retirement programs do not serve their needs and are likely to leave them poorer than they were while working. It seems Africa has had a head start on what the new world of retirement entails.
African culture has prepared its people for the new world much better than other cultures, where retirement meant travelling the world and stopping meaningful work.
Some see this as an opportunity to expand themselves, careers, and businesses beyond borders. Many are in business consultancy, IT, multi-level marketing, opening up shops, or travel business. They start money-generating activities they could not do when they were younger. They are not taking it slow …. just doing life and work differently.
While this is great, there is the strain of ill-mannered people who refuse to leave their jobs when they are due to retire. They do not mentor anyone to take their place, so there is no continuity in public service. People must quit into other areas of life, enabling them to challenge themselves intellectually, accomplish more, and provide opportunities for others through job creation.
No one is meant to retire and laze around. You should retire to pursue areas of life you could not before. And add value using your talents and abilities. This way, you leave the world so much better than how you found it in your own small way. There are some things just you can do because of your talents, however old you are.
What is your opinion on this? Please leave a comment.
