Thematic analysis

2.2.2 Self-acceptance Theory: This theory is based on Albert Ellis‟ Rational Emotive Behaviour

meaning that the individual fully and unconditionally accepts himself whether or not he behaves intelligently, correctly or competently and whether or not other people approve, respect or love him. Therefore, the African must be able to accept himself as distinct and good enough to excel and reach the same height as the metropolitan states regardless of how the western world perceives and treats him. The western world must cease to be the yardstick or standard for African development. With enormous resources available, Africa can do better than the metropolitan states if they can harness and develop their latent abilities through self-acceptance.

To Shepard (1979), self-acceptance is an individual‟s satisfaction or happiness with himself and is thought to be necessary for good mental health. Self-acceptance involves self-understanding, a realistic albeit subjective awareness of one‟s strength and weaknesses. It results in an individual‟s feeling about himself that he is of unique worth. Ellis (2005) adds that people‟s estimation of their own value or worth is exceptionally important. If they seriously denigrate themselves or have a poor self-image, they will impair their normal functioning and make themselves miserable in many significant ways. When people do not value themselves very highly, innumerable problems arise. The individual‟s judgement of his own value or worth has such an impact on his thought, emotions and actions. It is expected that once the African begins to understand himself and refuse to accept that the western culture is better, he ceases to feel ashamed for eating, feeling, dancing, worshipping, speaking and dressing like an African.

This theory is useful to Africans within the context of African renaissance in a world dominated by the metropolitan states. It will assist them to recognize that they are of unique worth. This model rejects the inferiority complex which the western world foisted on Africa. It advocates for a psychological force that opposes and transcends superiority complex and dependency paradigm. It encourages Africa and Africans to recognize their own value or worth because the way they perceive themselves has an impact on their thought, emotions and actions and these in turn affect their value system.

This model is also in tandem with the injunction of Socrates (cited by Sofola, 1978) which says “Man Know Thyself.” The African should know himself culturally, to understand and appreciate himself and express himself culturally. The African should be inspired to greater heights by his self-knowledge. It is in the African peoples Africanness that they can win respect and make important contribution to the world now plagued by greed, aggression, man‟s inhumanity to man and cultural intolerance. It is in their African philosophies of wholesome human relations and worldview and such-like moralizing and essentially humanistic cultural characteristics which are ideational rather than technological that they would fulfill the hopes of mankind which is now helplessly groping for peace, togetherness and tolerance in God‟s glory on this planet.

There is, therefore according to Sofola (1978), a need to appeal to Africans in general to look inward into their society and rediscover those values which are their African cultural heritage. These values should form the solid basis for the progress; penetrate its planning and implementation in Africa. Some may need modifications here and there but definitely not uprooting as is presently done everywhere. These essentially moralistic, humane and humanistic values should influence the definition of development or progress; penetrate its planning and implementation in Africa.

Sofola (1978) concluded that the modern African‟s root is deep down in Africa. The often neglected or overlooked aspects of non-material culture such as ideas, the beliefs and world-view of African people are the cultural characteristics which are moralistic and essentially humane and are the ingredients, contents or building-blocks of which the solid African personality is made.

The African therefore, should not behave like a rootless being even in the face of impinging, aggressive cultures of the outside world like the western culture. For while in the expression of his foolishness (culture) at times, the African appears to be culturally self-depreciating, the outside world looks at his African cultural heritage with admiration, respect and appreciation. Besides, to

be seen and looked at from one‟s own image is better and more enhancing than to live in the shadow of another man. Africans will begin to realize that the Europeans and Americans are not better than them in terms of values and self-worth when they accept themselves.

Africans could use the indigenous knowledge system to read and forecast weather. They had their own ways of dealing with crimes, deviance and conflicts. The self-acceptance approach to African renaissance underscores the importance of using the Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy to engage Africans to face issues of justice, inequality and sustainability from a collective or communal approach. Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy according to Dryden (2005) is a short-term form of psychotherapy that helps you identify self-defeating thoughts and feelings, challenge the rationality of those feelings and replace them with healthier, more productive beliefs. REBT focuses on the present time to help you understand how unhealthy thoughts and beliefs create emotional distress which, in turn, leads to unhealthy actions and behaviours that interfere with your current life goals. Once identified and understood, negative thoughts and actions can be changed and replaced with more positive and productive behaviour, allowing you to develop more successful personal and professional relationships. However, this has to start individually by getting Africans to realize that in order to attain self-reliance and self-assertion, there is the need for self-acceptance. This is necessary for reclaiming African identity and values.

Upon achieving this goal, the continent will be able to go back to the drawing board and redesign a new course to prosperity. The self-acceptance theory through Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy therefore advocates for local solutions, community-based solutions and reliance on local resources.