The mixed messages from the continent that it is a new kid on the block, that is it not African enough, that it is perpetuating neo-colonialism, should not deter it from being the leader Africa sorely needs.

The fact that it also bankrolls both the AU and the African parliament should be enough to set the agenda, or let these toothless institutions fold.

What good are they if President Abdoulaye Wade, at the ripe old age of 84, does not want to make way for younger leaders to take over the running of Senegal? I don't want to mention that megalomaniac north of the Limpo po who was supposed to have been deposed by an SADC force.

Instead, it is watching as the entire region suffers economically and it is watching the rise in xenophobia because Zimbabweans have taken every menial job in South Africa from hard-pressed South Africans.

The US bankrolls the UN and sets the agenda. Who pays calls the shots, and we should not apologise. We need to be tougher on refugees because not all are fleeing persecution. Some are drug and human traffickers.