Scenarios
This is a selection of teaching resources to use with the 'Our Africa' website. Scenarios can be used in the classroom or as a homework exercise.
Working in Botswana's Ministry of Trade and Industry
You work in Botswana’s Ministry of Trade and Industry. In what areas of the economy would you recommend the government invests over the next ten years?
San (Bushmen) living in the Kalahari, Botswana
You are a member of the San (Bushmen) living in the Kalahari. How has the modernisation of Botswana changed your way of life?
A pilot flying tourists around Botswana
You are a pilot flying tourists from Botswana’s capital, Gabarone, to the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta. What do you notice about how the landscape of the country changes as you fly north?
Graduating from university in Botswana
You have just graduated from the University of Botswana. In what sector of the economy might you look for work?
Building a house in Botswana
You live in Botswana and plan to build a house for your family. What materials might you use to build your house?
Teaching in a primary school in Ghana
You are a teacher working in a primary school in rural Ghana. What challenges are you likely to face in your job?
Advising arable farmers in Ghana
You are an agronomist advising arable farmers in Ghana. What recommendations might you make to the farmers? Why?
Living in Ghana
You are a 9-year-old girl living in Ghana. Why might you be less likely to go to school than your brothers?
Advising the government of Ivory Coast
You work for the World Health Organisation (WHO) advising governments in Africa. What steps might you recommend the government of Ivory Coast takes in order to develop a national health insurance scheme?
Owner of a cocoa plantation in Ivory Coast
You own a cocoa plantation in Ivory Coast. What might a normal day be like? How might your days vary throughout the year?
Unrest and economic development in Ivory Coast
You are an economist working for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). You have been asked to briefly summarise what effect the unrest of the decade has had on the economic development of the Ivory Coast.
Looking for a job in Kenya
You are a doctor working in Nairobi’s Kenyatta National Hospital. You want to find a new job. Where might you look for work? Why? (It might help if you can find out what is meant by ‘brain drain’).
Deforestation in Kenya
You live in central Kenya. How might you have contributed to deforestation in this area?
Growing tea in Kenya
You are a farmer growing tea in Kenya. To whom might you sell your crop? Who might end up drinking the tea you produce?
Holidaying in Malawi
You are planning a holiday on the shores of Lake Malawi. What time of year would you choose to go and why?
Buying a car in Malawi
You have just moved to Malawi and are planning on buying a car. What sort of vehicle might you buy and why?
A child growing up in Malawi
You are a child growing up in Malawi. How important do you think education is in helping you get a job when you finish school?
Living in one of Morocco's 'tin cities'
You live in one of Morocco’s ‘tin cities’. Where might you get water from to drink?
Going on holiday in Morocco
You are planning a holiday to Morocco. Where might you stay? What might you do?
Working in a cafe in Fez, Morocco
You work in a cafe in Fez. You notice that very few of the customers are women. Why do you think this might be?
Overfishing on the coast of Senegal
You are a fisherman living on the Senegalese coast. You have noticed that it has steadily become harder to find fish. Why might this be?
Business and Ornithology in Senegal
You are a businessperson attending a conference in Senegal. Where exactly might the conference be taking place? You also happen to be a keen ornithologist. Where might you visit whilst in Senegal?
Surviving on the streets of Dakar, Senegal
You are a child living on the streets of Dakar. What might your life be like? Describe a normal day.
Farming in South Africa
You are farmer in South Africa. Where in the country might you be living? What might you be growing?
Transporting goods from Cape Town, South Africa
You work on a cargo ship transporting goods from Cape Town to Europe. What goods might be being shipped?
Differences in healthcare in South Africa
You are a nurse working in Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. What differences might you notice if you were to visit a clinic in a more rural part of South Africa?
Rural to urban migration in Zambia
You live in Zambia and have recently moved from the countryside to Lusaka in search of work. Where in Lusaka might you be living? What job might you be doing?
Conservation work in Zambia
You are a conservationist working in Zambia. What species in particular might you be trying to protect? What difficulties might you have doing so?
Farming on the banks of the Zambezi, Zambia
You are a farmer living on the banks of the Zambezi. What threat to your crop might you be most worried about? What do you think might be the underlying cause of this threat?
Minister of Land and Natural Resources in Ghana
You have just been made Minister of Land and Natural Resources in Ghana. What changes might you make to gold mining in Ghana? Why?
Travelling along the River Volta in Ghana
You are in a boat travelling south along the River Volta. What differences might you notice in the types of farming as you travel from the north of Ghana to the south? What might explain the differences?
Punting in Cambridge and mahogany from Ghana
You run a company offering punting tours in Cambridge. You notice that very little of the mahogany out of which the punts are made comes from Ghana anymore. Why might this be?
Wildlife in the Ivory Coast
You are a professor at the University of St Andrews and a member of the Scottish Primate Research Group. Why might you be particularly interested in carrying out research in Ivory Coast? Who amongst your colleagues in the School of Biology might also be interested in Ivory Coast?
Working for a tour operator in Kenya
You work for a tour operator in Kenya. How confident are you that Kenya’s tourist industry will grow over the next decade? What reasons might you have to worry?
Transferring money in Kenya
You live in north-western Kenya and want to transfer money to your sister who lives on the coast. How might you get money to her?
A girl growing up in rural Malawi
You are a girl growing up in rural Malawi. What might your life be like?
Renewable energy in Morocco
You are Morocco’s Minister for Energy. Why might you be eager to invest in renewable energy sources? What renewable energy source are you most likely to invest in? Why?
Sports writing in Senegal
You are a sports writer working for a Senegalese newspaper. Describe what the atmosphere might be like in a stadium for a wrestling final.
Flora in South Africa
You are an enthusiastic amateur botanist. Where in South Africa might you choose to visit? What might explain the large variety of flora in this area?
Living in Soweto, South Africa
You are a black South African living in Soweto. In what ways has the country changed since the end of apartheid? What changes do you think still need to be made?
Studying in Zambia
You have just finished secondary school in Kitwe and are planning on going to the Copperbelt University. What might you choose to study? Why?