A cure for my Nervous Condition. An ode to my beloved African Continent and its People. Global pop culture. Sports. Movies. Fashion. Music. Gender. Race. Youth. Self and Communal Empowerment. Technology. Nonsense. Anything insightful or otherwise that I think you will enjoy ;}
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AMASHIWI
"Culture is the heritage of us all. some may be more interested than others in the treasures of the past, but no one can fail to take a pride in his country's participation in the story of mankind, as represented in carvings, sculpture, music, paintings and the other arts. And there is a personal commitment to this, for no man can really say he is alone: we are all joined through our identity, with the cultures which are part of the mainstream of life"
- Simon Kapwepwe, Zambian Independence Freedom Fighter
"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm"- Winston Churchill
"Try to be the rainbow in someone else's cloud"- Maya Angelou
"Your time is limited so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinion drown out your inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition"- Steve Jobs
As usual, I am rounding up the last year's top 10 posts. Soul Food Friday is a good day to reflect on the year past. Unfortunately in 2013 I wrote even less than I did in 2012. Shame on me: I only managed a paltry 16 posts! I have vowed to stop the rot, and find a way to create a system that allows me to blog at least once a week, twice if I can to make sure that I have more to choose from (I have blogged about creating better life systems already this year here). I also have to deal with my work-life balance. Blogging for me is therapeutic and a hobby so I can't let my professional life drain me to the point I have no juice left in the tank to bang on my computer keys to compose word rhapsodies. I think it is important to have a way decompress with fun activities that replenish your passion tank.
So the top 10 will really be the top 7 plus a bonus: the profile of me in Kenyan onilne mag AfroElle celebrating Afropolitans around the world.
Happy New Year from Accra! So excited to be in West Africa for the first time. I shall blog about that in due course I promise. In 2014 I plan to create a system to better accomplish my goal of blogging more, as part of my larger life passion to contribute to creating and populating the internet with more Zambian and African content, after being inspired by this article. The ridonkulously fast internet here in Ghana is definitely already encouraging me to be more proactive already ;}.
I recently listened to Zambia's first President, Kenneth Kaunda's tribute at Nelson Mandela's funeral - by default amashiwi ya bakulu: words of/ from those who are grown ie: (wise) words from our elders. There was as a lot of furore about his use of the now derogatory term Boer as opposed to the more politically correct and acceptable Afrikaner. I think people overreacted as he was recounting stories of Mandela's (and his) experience of Apartheid . And KK is old: leave this nonagenarian alone! He spoke off the cuff, in an impassioned, personal and honest fashion. I do not think he meant any harm by it. I think the speech needs to be viewed in context. I really appreciate the candor, eloquence and authenticity with which he delivered his tribute. What I took from his outpouring of love for Mandela and his insight into human nature is that we need to stop getting in our own way and realise that we need to "love thy neighbour" as we are all the same: we are all muntu: human in the end. And in order to do that we need to realise our power and not abuse it by being an agent or active force of subjugation, but use it as a positive and impactful force for change.
So here's to a year dedicated to focusing on creating systems of evolution and inspiration that lead to positive change and to passionate and fulfilled lives - especially in unexpected and interesting ways :)!
The Baobab tree best symbolises Nelson Mandela: strength, nourishment,
staying power, a vessel of wisdom with age.
Thought it would be timely to create a list of Mandela quotes that speak to me right now. I love quotes. They are little but impactful bursts of inspiration, priceless nuggets of knowledge. People who know how to craft words can say the most profound things, with infinite power to uplift, encourage and/ or lead in such short turns of phrase. Love it. Madiba was a pro. And I love that unlike many in the world who tried to make him into a saint who could do no wrong so that they could vicariously be good through him, he never saw himself as anything but a man: a fallible human who did the best with what he had.
I will say though, I am a little shocked that I haven't quoted him more often, not even in the Amashiwi section! And I seem to only mention him in relation to others in blog posts. Which actually shows exactly what he would keep communicating: that your life is only worth its weight in salt if it has impact on others, if it is measured in relation to others. I am still ashamed that I haven't dedicated more posts to him in the past...Well there is a whole future to reflect on him in so not to worry.
Quotes that resonate with me at this point in time in my life: What counts is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made in the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead. There is no passion to be found playing small in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will come up even in the end. I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles. It is never my custom to use words lightly. If twenty-seven years in prison have done anything to us, it was to use the silence of solitude to make us understand how precious words are and how real speech is in its impact on the way people live and die. You sharpen your ideas by reducing yourself to the level of the people you are with and a sense of humour and a complete relaxation, even when you're discussing serious things, does help mobilise friends around you. And I love that. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. I have learnt that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. For to be free is not to merely cast off one's chains but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. Lead from the back - let other's believe they are in front. Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. It always seems impossible, until it is done. MbA posts with Rolihlahla inspiration: Nelson Mandela: Paradigm of Legacy to Follow
I have been a little out of it recently, and have been struggling to keep up with current events. Today I was at a bank, in line to deposit cash, when I saw "REMEMBERING MANDELA" on the TV screen on the wall and my heart stopped. I was momentarily paralysed as I processed the information in front of me. A couple of months ago, I posted on Facebook that I was not ready for Mandela to die. For selfish reasons. One of my life goals was to meet the man. Unfortunately I am a late bloomer and so did not make my small mark in the world in time to be able to warrant an audience with him, let alone have such a blessing granted.
I remember when he was freed in 1990, as it was a few days after my birthday. I remember thinking that this man must be really special, as all the world is watching, people have sung songs for his freedom, and he has survived prison for what seemed like a ten lifetimes to the child I was. Years later, when I was applying to Stanford, I not only wrote about the Matrix being closer to reality than we think as in Japan, robots were being created to be nurse maids for their ageing population and prototypes already existed, bu also about Madiba.
After those moments of shock, I was at peace when I thought about what I had written in my application. Despite the odds the man lived a full life. He lived in the lowest depths, in prisons both literal and proverbial that could have shackled his spirit, extinguished the fire in his soul, and yet he came out 27 years later even more determined to defend freedom, even prouder to be a Black man, a South African, an African and most impressively, even more committed to forgiveness. Even though he had been wronged repeatedly by white South Africans, he was still willing to extend the olive branch. Even though he didn't believe in all the actions that Black South Africans took, at times invoking his name to justify their deeds, he did not hold that against them.
The universe works in mysterious ways. Last night I read these two articles on Forbes: the traits of mentally strong people and about how whether we like it or not, we are all creating a legacy, so we should think about what we are putting out in the world. Mandela is probably the most mentally strong man of his generation, and of the last Century, and looking at his legacy, it is a paradigm to follow.
Though Mandela's time may have set physically in this world, his legacy will endure through the ages. His impact will forever resonate through the world, and I am glad that I can call on it at any time to comfort, inspire and energise me to do better, to be better, to continually evolve and learn.
MHSRIP
Can't wait to watch Idris Elba as Madiba. Though he may not look like him, I don't think that is necessary. The acting is more important, and from what I have seen from the trailer and Behind the Scenes shows, he has captured his essence, his charismatic and powerful presence and has done the man justice. God is good, the omnipotent one may have taken away the man, but being omniscient, has allowed us to experience him through such a beautiful living body he he he ;}
Archbishop Tutu, one of Africa's most prized ambassadors has announced that he will be withdrawing from public life, set to retire by February 2011. His presence in local and global affairs will be greatly missed. However, we will not forget his great deeds that have superceded his physical presence. When his name is invoked, we will remember the humanity, compassion, peace, love, courage, community, unity and humility that he stood for, as well as the passion that he had for South African, African and global affairs, seeking to emulate him however and whenever we can.
His most notable accomplishments are receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his efforts championing the anti-Apartheid cause in South Africa and around the world, leading him to create his own organisation - The Desmond Tutu Peace Centre, to continue the legacy he created. He also headed the Truth and Reconcillation Committee set up by South Africa's first ANC government to help South Africa soothe and heal the wounds Apartheid inflicted. He is also among the select group of accomplished global leaders that compose The Elders, congregated by Nelson Mandela to tackle global issues such as the situation in Zimbabwe, and equality for women and girls. Eminent Africans Koffi Annan and Graca Machel are included in the ranks too.
It is only fitting include some wise words from the man himself. Here are his thoughts on leadership, which reminded me of a Nelson Mandela quote: "It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate leadership."
I just have a bit of advice for Archbishop Tutu (I know really what can I offer to such a man?!). If he has to drink Rooibos tea during his retirement, can he make it into iced tea because really that tea tastes like the devil unless its taste is masked by lemon and lots of sugar (As you can see not much to offer at all)!! And I hope all you dudes took note of how he wants to make hot chocolate for his wife and actually wants to spend time with her because he believes she is the best decision he ever made. He is inspirational in every way!
How can you not adore this man! He believed that the World Cup was the most notable event in South Africa since the end of Apartheid. I too believe it will have positive ramifications in both South Africa and the rest of the continent. Here is a video of him demonstrating World Cup and Nelson Mandela fever. It also shows how even though he deals with serious issues on a daily basis, he is also a little bit silly! Further proof to support my belief:
You have to have a bit of youthful silliness in your life in order to be a positive instrument of change in this world ;}.
Haven't been on the ball lately. Nelson Mandela celebrated his 92nd birthday on the 18th. It is a blessing that he is still with us, and true inspiration!
Here are some pictures of the celebrations in South Africa.
Didier Drogba has been honoured with a place on Time Magazine's 100 list for 2010. Considering his influence not only in Cote D'Ivoire, but also in the world through football, this is not surprising. You would think that seeing as I have bled blue since 1996 I would be a real Drogba fan but alas I am not. I find him quite a petulant childish man on the field, and if he was not so talented a player I would not care for him at all. I suppose it is the nature of the striker to have a bit of diva in them, but sometimes I think that he indulges this to ludicrous points that overshadow his football and puts a sour taste in my mouth watching him.
If we are talking Ivorians I love Kalou. He is such a clutch player and I love his little mohawk, love that he is silent but deadly. His efforts are often overshadowned by his more flamboyant teammate, both at Chelsea and when representing Les Elephants, but he is a vital cog in the machine on both teams :). My love at Chelsea however is Essien. He has such grace, such style, such power, and he's good looking to boot. PERFECT :}. My friend COMBINE (com-be-nay) will not be amused by my proclamation because she is convinced that she is his future wife. Ha!
My second pet peeve is Drogba's hair. WHY? I know all these footballers like Cristiano Ronaldo, (with whom he features on the current Vanity Fair cover) like to experiment with perms, relaxers, length, gels, colour, braids and anything else they can think of, but really, I do not enjoy a lot of their hairstyles. A little too prima dona and metrosexual for me these footballers.
However, I have come to respect and like Drogba off the field the more I have come to know about him. This article shows how he is growing as a man, and how he knows that he can be a bit of a baby. I also like his hyperawareness of his position in society and how his actions have a butterfly effect with quite grandiose consequences at times. His devotion to charity and hospitals redeem his on-pitch antics.
I do believe that Drogba can lead Kalou, the Toures and the rest of the boys to victory at the World Cup. Les Elephants are set to trample all those put in front of them if he keeps his head. They are in a difficult group though with Brazil and Portugal in the mix (this is group G with Korea DPR as well). Qualifying out of this group will be a herculean but not a sysiphean task. We will have sangomas, juju and mother Africa's protection on our side he he he ;}! He himself is cognisant of the weight on his shoulders and how he carries the dreams of Africa. He is already championing for his team, letting everyone know they are a force to be reckoned with, and that 2010 is the year to present Africa to the world in a different and more positive light. You can read his thoughts here. You can also read what Ya Ya Toure has to say about Cote D'Ivoire and 2010 here.
Drogba is actually quite a soft spoken man for someone who hurls obscenities at referees and dives about in grass so much I'm convinced he is at least part fish. Here is a video of who he feels is the most influential person in his life.
And here is some eye candy featuring footballers participating in the World Cup next month, including Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o of Cameroun and Sulley Muntari of Ghana. Unfortunately, they will not be so skantily clad when playing next month :(
