Ubuntu (I Am Because We Are)

I came across this phrase today while reading. It had me thinking for more than 10 minutes, and the only question that came to my mind was: Why do we Africans have such short memories? On one hand, I wanted to blame the colonisers, but I realised that it is the loss of this conceptContinue reading “Ubuntu (I Am Because We Are)”

Breaking Away from Ourselves: The African Identity Crisis and the Price of Distraction

It is deeply disturbing when a people embrace other people’s cultures, belief systems, and ideas while despising their own. It is equally concerning when the only role models young people have to look up to are individuals involved in political thuggery or musicians whose lyrics focus on the commercialisation of women, nudity, and the pursuitContinue reading “Breaking Away from Ourselves: The African Identity Crisis and the Price of Distraction”

When We Forget Who We Are: A Reflection on Heritage, Identity and the Wisdom of Our Ancestors

There was a time when men were judged by their ability to reason, and by their capacity to sit with and counsel the elders who had gone before them. Morals and values were handed down from one generation to another. Every generation understood its responsibility to preserve its moral code, values, principles and spirituality, andContinue reading “When We Forget Who We Are: A Reflection on Heritage, Identity and the Wisdom of Our Ancestors”

Painted Shackles Are Not Jewellery

I have always made reference to a wounded eagle that was domesticated by a farmer but refused to fly beyond its previous confinement, even when that confinement was no longer there physically. This highlights the fact that the greatest obstacle to a person’s success or progression in life is not necessarily what they have facedContinue reading “Painted Shackles Are Not Jewellery”

The Power of Words, Boundaries, and Defining Your Own Success

It is very common today to hear people say, “Don’t judge me by my past.” Most people find it difficult to look back, let alone reflect on who they used to be. However, there are others who deliberately look back, not to remain stuck in the past, but to draw strength from the little progressContinue reading “The Power of Words, Boundaries, and Defining Your Own Success”

Ignorance is the number one enemy of man.

It is very important that you do not allow someone who is going nowhere to take you along with them. In a game of chess, the queen appears to be the most powerful piece. She moves across the chessboard, defending, destroying, and, at some point, even giving up her life when it is established orContinue reading “Ignorance is the number one enemy of man.”

Poverty, Illiteracy, and the Struggle for African Liberation

When I reflect on the vast mineral resources that we have in Africa, sometimes I don’t know whether I should blame God for giving us such vast resources and then cursing us with greedy and self-centred leaders, or whether I should blame the people who refuse to study the patterns of our history and fightContinue reading “Poverty, Illiteracy, and the Struggle for African Liberation”

Be Kind, But Guide Your Kindness With Wisdom

There is little value in repeatedly being kind to an entitled person—someone who only takes from others and never feels the need to give back. It is important to watch out for such people. They may not have much themselves, yet they can make you feel guilty for not having enough to give them. SomeContinue reading “Be Kind, But Guide Your Kindness With Wisdom”

WHEN COMPETITION BECOMES THE MEASURE OF OUR WORTH

There is a disturbing observation I have made, and that is the competitive attitude of the typical African man. The competition itself is not the issue; my major concern is where and at what rate it occurs. I was having a conversation yesterday with a colleague when she told me about a friend who worksContinue reading “WHEN COMPETITION BECOMES THE MEASURE OF OUR WORTH”

ARE YOU PART OF THE PROBLEM OR PART OF THE SOLUTION?

Today is the future you spoke about yesterday, and what your tomorrow becomes will also depend on what you are doing today. If you are paying attention, you will discover the amount of distraction that comes our way every day—from politicians who choose lies over working for their people, to social media platforms that seemContinue reading “ARE YOU PART OF THE PROBLEM OR PART OF THE SOLUTION?”