Africa Day :Celebrating spirit of Ubuntu

There is a saying in the Ndebele and Zulu kingdom which says Umuntu Ngumuntu ngabantu.Africa day is a day that was started to celebrate the diversity that makes us Africans. To me growing up Africa day was a day l did not have to go school and the fact that in Zimbabwe it’s a public holiday meant that was the only holiday we had until August so you can imagine that as a child. As an adult however l have come to embrace the different cultures enjoying jollof rice or dancing to Nigerian music and enjoying the Xhosa culture and how they wear imibhaco yabo is beautiful, wanting to know more and learn more about my clan names and the history so l can pass it on to the next generation (l am after all the rich aunty in all aspects).As l type this l am listening to my current favourites from Nigeria.

I asked a few of my friends about what Africa day means to them and Denver without hesitation responded by saying it means he and his family get to wear African attires and have family braai and catch up on life and everything in between, while Liberty says when he thinks of Africa day he thinks of the unique musical chords that exist on the African continent. Artists like Salif Keita, Tiken Jah Fakoly Zolani Mahola are just a few artists he likes. When it comes to culture he is particularly fascinated by the Karo culture (now you know l also had to research on this one).The Karo people are best known for being masters of body painting which they do for a feast or celebration (best you read up more on these guys).Did you know that God gift to mankind in terms of cattle The Boran originates from the Masai tribe in Kenya? Farmers and cow enthusiast (my Dad) will agree with me that this cow survives in harsher conditions and according to my dad does not get ticks.

To Chipo when she ponders upon Africa day she thinks of many people that came before us to build the Africa we have today.As an African woman she celebrates the many women whose shoulders she stands on today, the way they held families together during the liberation struggle and post-independence of the African countries. She also thinks about how many have responded to HIV/AIDS and Ebola and how we as Africans continuously respond to crisis after crisis. She too could not stop marvelling at the beautiful melodies that have kept us afloat across the continent the likes of Miriam Makeba, Chiwoniso to mention but a few. They music taught us solidarity and Ubuntu and to take pride in who we are.

Africa day also reminds us about the power of community. There is a girl l follow on social media (Instagram) by the name Popi Sibiya who travels the African continent to show case different cultures across the continent (some of Africa best kept secrets are on her page). Her methods are of course are unorthodox, how does she financially sustain herself you ask? Through donations from fellow Africans. We have been fed the narrative that Africans are poor but no, do not let media fool you. Oscar thinks of the independence of Africa as a whole when Africa day is mentioned. The shared common goals as continent to become self-sustainable and to treat fellow brother man with respect.

To Busi Natie as l like to call her Africa day is a day of embracing Africanisity(we even adding words to oxford dictionary) in her. Celebrating ubunguye bakhe lemvelaphi yakhe.Aprectiating her ancestors acknowledging she is who she is because of them.

From me and my entire team (which is me me me) Happy Africa Day. Do learn something new about Africa.