The Africa We Want …. ● #IAmAfrican |25 May 2021

“I am not African because I was born in Africa but because Africa was born in me,” Kwame Nkrumah

Name: Peter Sinon

Age: 54 years old

“I was introduced to this great continent at a very young age. My mum hailed from Kenya where dad, Guy Sinon, went in search of better job opportunities that were not available in Seychelles in the early and mid-60s.

“My following six years in the African Development's Board room initially as alternate then as executive director representing the Eastern Africa constituency countries has but increased my esteem and love for one of the poorest and yet the most resourceful continents on the planet. Its people are some of the kindest and the cultures so diverse, colourful and very familiar. I may be an islander but I felt my roots, the pains and the joys and what impressed me most was the abilities to forgive. I knew that I belonged to Mama Africa, a bountiful and rich continent with some amazing and welcoming souls. I am proudly an African not because I was born in Africa but because Africa was born in me. I am an African with an emancipated mindset, full of hope for its future.

“The Africa I wish for is one where the atrocities of its past such as slavery becomes a thing of the past. An African that looks forward to the day that the very first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to end poverty is realised for the benefit of its growing youth and children.”

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‘Dilemma of my ghosts ‒ Reclaiming my African identity through pages of books’

Pen Name: Ms Léa Moses

Age: 39 years old

“It was a warm day in February, with a campus buzzing with excited minds, newly acquired freedom and a general sense of relaxation, usually attached with the first few days of any academic terms. I stood on the doorstep of the student centre, soaking in the reality that I was at university, dreaming of years ahead, when suddenly I was brought back to reality by a guy, speaking a language which to my then uncultured ears sounded like ‘clicks’.

“The moment I opened my mouth, a heavily accented English came out and he understood that I was not ‘from around here’.

“I spent the day, bathed in different vibrant languages with some English thrown in the mix and the ‘clicks’. I was intrigued, an island girl in seashells earrings, with a penchant thirst for knowledge and a complete disconnection with the land that birthed my ancestors. I later learned that the ‘clicks’ were used commonly in languages like ‘Xhosa’. The only mainland African language I was accustomed to then was ‘Kiswahili’, given my exposure to Kenyan teachers and the famous ‘Jumbo’ song!

“The journey into my re-birth began as I navigated university life, adapting to different sceneries, a new country, making new acquaintances and life-changing discoveries.

“A fame African proverb, reminds us that ‘sticks in a bundle are unbreakable’. Indeed, together, re-birthing ourselves, accepting our lineage, respecting the sacrifices of our ancestors, we will emerge to write not chapters, but books after books of the value of proudly carrying your identity as an African.

“In the darkest clouds of misjudgment that often shroud the beauty of Africa, let us appreciate every streams of light to learn of the power, prospects and capacity of our majestic home.”

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‘It is clear that we must find African solutions to our problems and this can only be found in African unity’

Name: Vanessa Seth

Age: 31 years old

“The very few pictures and documents left behind by my late dad have forever led to the desire to go in search of a hidden treasure of which until today is unknown. The fact that he was Kenya-born evokes pride knowing that I belong to Africa. A feeling I can’t explain but can proudly express each time I am given an opportunity to board an airplane and travel to a new destination on the continent.

“As days go by, this hidden treasure is unmasked in various exposures; meeting potential youth leaders across the continent, establishing networks and long lasting friendships, listening to the beautiful indigenous languages, appreciating some local dishes, dressed in an African print attire sparkle with handmade beads and wooden jewelries, gushed by the wonders of nature from the poverty and diseases we often hear and see when we talk about Africa. Developments and not to forget the amazing fun parks and wilderness of which visitors exit with a wow!

“We cannot forget our brothers and sisters who are still struggling to access health services and education in Africa, but we hope the numerous agendas such as Agenda 2063, policies such as the African Union Youth Charter, the 8th Millennium Development Goals will be in full swing and implemented in the very near future.

“Dear African Leaders,

“Kwame Nkrumah once said, and I quote “It is clear that we must find African solutions to our problems and this can only be found in African unity. Divided we are weak, united Africa could become one of the greatest forces for good in the world”.

“This is the Africa We Want.”

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‘I am an African’

Name: Laurent Valentin, African Youth Charter Hustler for Seychelles

Age: 23 years old

“I'm a really big fan of the affirmation ‘I am African’. For one reason or another, it seems many of us Seychellois don't consider ourselves Africans, but the reality is we can't pick and choose our heritage. Many of us have dark skin that glows when struck by the sun, hair that coils and curls, and there are many of us, still, who don't bear the traits of our African ancestors, yet their blood flows within our veins. Our music, dance, fashion, humour, joie-de-vivre, it's all managed to spread across the world and by no manner of coincidence. As much as it may not be acknowledged regularly, we are titans in these industries. This is a great source of pride for me, as a Seychellois, as believer in the potential of the African continent to compete in the many arenas of the global village we live in today.

My hope is that we continue to educate ourselves on our heritage so that we may abolish the rhetoric of ‘sa bann Afriken’ in Seychelles, akoz nou Afriken nou osi.

“As for the Africa I want, my vision is simple:

“I want to see more young people participate in politics so as to be able to carry their visions forward, redefine norms and lead our continent to greener pastures. I also want to see more of us stand up to clap for our brothers and sisters who succeed, as well as to raise our fists to the sky and to stand with those of us who suffer at the hands of their oppressors. Our challenges are many but if we can put some of our differences aside and work together to realise our common goals, times of prosperity will be ours to enjoy.”

Contributed