I am AFRICA!
This is Africa or TIA as its commonly known, is the go to phrase when we find it difficult to explain certain Africa-specific issues. For example, scheduled and consistent power-cuts, endless queues at government departments, and the general tardiness that commonly exists, amongst a host of other things that we just cannot find the words to explain, or the energy to delve into.
Having worked for International organisations, and closely working with civil society in the global south, particularly across Africa, TIA was my go to explanation for a number of systemic issues that slowed down work, prolonged outcomes and justified project extensions. In all honesty I didn’t have the energy needed each time to explain socio-economic contexts, political instabilities, cultural differences and the brutal truths of the inequalities that exist in Africa.
Like me, if you are an African, or lived and worked here for some time, you might have used the term too (don’t worry, no judgement here), and if we are being completely honest TIA is not something we say proudly, its usually said it with a lot of unease and some sense of “sell-outed-ness” (yes, I yet again made up another word). It may be that our patriotic sub-conscious is aware that every time we use the term we confirm or reinforce a belief or stereotype about Africa. An Africa that is fraught with problems, that needs saving, and a hand-out.
Now this might be a good time for me to remind you that Africa is not just a landmass, Africa is you and I. We the people make up Africa, and we the people get to decide who we are!
In honour of Africa Day 2020, I challenge you to be the one who changes the narrative. “Until the lion learns to write, the story will glorify the hunter,” is such an apt African Proverb, for us to reflect on how we can Make Africa Great Again! Actually scrap that, we are already great, we just need to remember who we are.
I recently asked a few friends who now live in Africa, why they love us, and I am sharing a few of their perspectives as a reminder of who are you.
We are RESILIENT! We just need to think of Rwanda, surviving a genocide and making a comeback that is nothing short of inspirational to the world. As a South African I am reminded that we survived apartheid and a Jacob Zuma, and we are still alive with possibilities.
We are INNOVATIVE! Where do I even start with this, we produced the first stone tools, the fishing hook, and the bow and arrow even before modern humans technically existed. We performed the first human to human heart transplant right here in South Africa, and what shall we say about our resourceful Malawian engineer - William Kamkwamba - made famous by the Netflix movie - “The boy who harnessed the wind.”
We are DIVERSE! Africa’s diversity is unmatched the world over. We have over 3000 African tribes, and an estimated 2000 African languages. It doesn’t matter which of the 54 African countries that you visit, you will find vast differences and yet vast similarities. We are an amazingly diverse people, who are firmly grounded in UBUNTU - “I am because you are”
We are JOYFUL! Nothing I write will do justice to this… so I am going to let Mama Africa - Miriam Makeba show you how we do joy in Africa!!! https://youtu.be/lNeP3hrm__k (if this doesn’t make you joyful or move then I don’t know what will)
This list is inexhaustible, and writing this makes me think of so many more things that makes Africa Great, including the work countless number of us do to unleash the potential of the next generation.
“Its not what you call me, but what I answer to “ - African Proverb
I trust the next time you hear someone say “This is Africa,” you find yourself saying… hell, yeah! This is Africa, I am Africa! I am Resilient, Innovative, Diverse and Joyful. I make Africa great and in our togetherness we are changing the narrative.
