During recent reflections, the author learned about the phenomenon of murmuration, which brought a sense of improved mood. Murmuration is a natural phenomenon where hundreds of thousands of small birds, particularly European starlings, gather into huge, synchronized flocks resembling shifting clouds. This phenomenon received its name from the sounds made during wing beats and soft flights between the birds.
These impressive displays of coordination and skill usually occur at dusk, when birds are preparing for the night's rest or trying to avoid predators such as falcons and hawks. Similar behavior is observed in large schools of small fish, such as sardines and herring, which form so-called 'bait balls' to protect themselves from dolphins.
To create such a dynamic spectacle, the birds do not follow the instructions of a single leader. Instead, each individual monitors its immediate neighbors—usually six or seven birds around it—and instantly reacts to their movements. This causes a wave effect throughout the group. Bait balls operate on a similar principle, allowing the first fish to detect danger to instantly trigger a reaction in the others.
The author also encountered the concept of the 'wood wide web.' This is a colloquial term describing a network of trees connected by an extensive web of fungal threads called mycelium. These threads link individual root systems into a single organism. Thanks to this network, trees are able to exchange water, nutrients, and danger signals. The oldest and largest trees act as nodes and are called 'Mother Trees.' Scientific research shows that these Mother Trees can direct additional nutrients where they are needed by young trees, and they can also recognize individual characteristics through this network.
These images of coexistence, community, and cooperation are inspiring. Humanity faces difficulties in finding alternatives to social, political, and economic systems that continue to repeat cycles of conflict, economic hardship, environmental destruction, and violence. It seems we are incapable of designing societies that nurture rather than consume, and promote cooperation rather than competition.
We create rules that disproportionately affect poorer segments of the population, while for the rich and influential, they serve merely as recommendations. Even the widely publicized system of democracy, often considered the best way of life, has been undermined by the relentless pursuit of those who desire more. Today, the idea that the entire essence of democracy lies in electoral struggle to determine the will of the people is too easily and broadly accepted. Challenging this model as insufficient for governing society borders on treason. It is unacceptable to insist on a form of government that extends beyond the ballot box and does not consider how to ensure accountability, justice, and equality.
Bird murmuration and the fungal internet of trees helped a very eclectic group of Africans move beyond traditional conversations and allow their imagination to freely develop in conceptualizing modes of existence not limited by what we know and are accustomed to. Imagine what is possible if humanity could learn from birds, fish, and matriarchal trees. Imagine if our dreams of an egalitarian and safe society could be used to shape what our democracy can become, informing our choices in developing rules and systems for coexisting.
It is time to change the approach to dialogue. We must stop listening only to educated, affluent people who can use terms and concepts without empathy and warmth. It is time to shape our conversations in a way that considers imagination, allowing our dreams to stimulate our creativity in defining who we want to be.
These are not pipe dreams. This week in Johannesburg, we created a space for such imagination and plan to continue creating similar venues in other parts of our continent. I call on all of us to engage in dialogues with our partners, children, and friends in a way that focuses on dreams and imagination. Who knows, perhaps we will truly find peace, security, and solidarity.