Reflections of an Afrikan
The principle of “Being” by the power of thoughts is ever stable and will not change. 
For as a man thinks, so is he. This principle is so powerful that, as a man continues to think, so he continues to be. As he stops to think, so he begins to have potential for change. And to make it much more potent, same principle also applies to a nation or a people. For as a nation, which is a collection of individuals, think, so they are. As they continue to think, so they will be. As they make up their mind to change their stream of thoughts, so they make way for the new to emerge. It is that simple. And there is no better life principle that Africa as both a continent and a people must apply right now, that the principle of right thinking.
We can’t begin to talk about the integration and emancipation of Africa until we Africans change the way we see and think about ourselves as Africans. And I mean this for real. If all we think as Africans is the lies the main stream media portray on the news about how unsafe, violent, malnourished and poor Africa and Africans are, then its kiss goodbye to integration and emancipation. There are lots of examples to use, but permit me to use this one. An African who is a non Kenyan walking on the street of Nairobi or on the beach in Mombasa is seen first by a policeman as a potential illegal immigrant (whatever nonsense that means) and then by extension, a criminal. A white man walking on those same places is seen by the same police man as a tourist and then a potential investor. Talk about the effects of slavery on the mind even after 200 years. The rate at which we have a created a difference between Africans is alarming. For while the presidents of African nations gather in AU and saying many big words about integration, which they never follow up, the situation on the ground, on the streets, are different, making me think that those words are just political gimmicks and make beliefs.
My thoughts however is this, how did we get to this place where we think there is a difference between the African from the South, or the one from the East, West and North. It doesn’t just make sense.
The issue of mindset and the way we think must be addressed if Africa will come into limelight. Is it not a twisted mindset that will make two African nations fight over border lines, when if you look at the border, there is no line? In fact, a border is defined as an imaginary line, and in this case of Africa, it was created by the colonialist to divide and conquer Africa and Africans. And in this, they have really succeeded. But we can’t continue with this. For the negative pictures painted about Africa everywhere is not all together true. I particularly like a quote by President Paul Kagame when he said “There is this myth that we always have to look outside the continent to fund major initiatives…”
We are not poor, not at all. The issue has more to do with the mindset, that it is normal to use our money for consumption, while we leave strategic, long-term investing to others. It means that no matter how much we earn, we would remain poor.”
Anyways, I met this Masai guy one early morning on a cliff overlooking the ocean and we got talking. Communication was a bit of a challenge cause he doesn’t speak much English, but i could sense how excited he was.
He allowed me to take some pictures of him in his Masai dress and then asked that I wrap myself with his cloth so he too can take pictures of me. His cloth seem to have been soaked in some natural spices or fragrance and smell so beautifully. He kept saying “you are my brother” even as he placed the red cloth on me. That was beautiful and reflective for me and i found myself presenting him to God in my heart as a son of the kingdom. From that day, whenever he sees me coming from the beach for my early morning walk, he greets me as his brother. I cant find a better word to express how Africans should think, be and live.
I have a love for the Masai tribe right from my history class days in secondary school, ever before i knew Kenya existed on the world map. They just have this beautiful Abrahamic, pastoral, faith lifestyle that shows a tent living mentality and which if every African will emulate, will create a much needed anchor and brotherhood for better living. (See Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16). Such mindset will give us a renewed view of how we are supposed to live on earth as pilgrims on a journey towards eternity and not some money mongering, debt taking, border fighting, unthinking xenophobic Africans while the western mainstream media paint this horrible picture of Africa as a continent of poverty and malnurishment even in the midst of plenty.
It is time for Africa to get her priority straight and to know by true understanding the reason for her suffering and slavery and by extension what makes for her glory. God must be glorified in this continent.
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