ninehillsRAMBLE in the JUNGLE
Kom Security
By Wanaku Verdzekov · · Kom & Indigenous
Date note: Undated Facebook note, written between 2011 and 2014.
Tags: security, human-intelligence, organisation
Notes on the subject:
It is old news that security in most African countries
is at best wanting. The so-called "government"
in these countries has the hardware to keep citizens safe,
but if you ask me, what is lacking is
the software: human intelligence.
Question: how does Kom make sure that the mayhem
visited on innocent civilians by gun-toting religious fanatics,
or plain highway robbers,
does not spill into our ntehsɨ (quarters) in Kom?
Answer: to start with, it would be good if ALL the ghɨBoNtehs (quarter heads) in Kom
could contact each other in less than 15 seconds,
meaning all of them could connect at a moment's notice.
Now, how do you do that?
That's the question, and the beginning of the solution.
Let me know what you think.
To start with, we need a list of all the ghɨBoNtehs.
One may ask: why concern ourselves with this question?
Answer: if citizens are not organized, do you think the government will be?
You tell me.
iBoisɨ
~wv
— Wanaku Verdzekov
Reading & grammar
Reading level: Gr 8–10
Understand
- What does the author say African security lacks: hardware or software?
- What system does the author propose for the quarter heads?
- Why does the author say citizens must organize themselves?
Grammar focus: question and answer layout. The post sets out "Question:" and "Answer:" in turn, like a catechism or FAQ. It guides the reader through a problem step by step.
Try it: Write a short Q&A (three questions and answers) about safety in your school.
Discuss: Should communities organize their own security, or leave it to the state? Argue.