Page 59 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 1

ISSUE ONE | JULY/AUG
navigated the geopolitics of the was much like that of Moses and
day to gain advantage before even Daniel and the three Hebrew BE INSPIRED
denouncing the Treaty of Wuchale. boys. He was raised as a son of
Prior to his victory at Adowa, the Emperor, educated like the son The story of Emperor Menelik 2 is
Menelik II had for years, been of an Emperor and treated like the one that gives strength and hope
focusing his efforts on the son of an Emperor, even marrying in the midst of adversity, worth in
expansion of his territories his captor’s daughter, Altash the midst of worthlessness and
through military conquest, which Tewodros. Possibly he gained which every African must glean
he was extremely successful at. much strategic wisdom from being wisdom and strength from. As an
The only local constraint to his in the courts of the man who had African, you have been made to
ambition at the time was Emperor conquered his father that he then look weak, unreliable, primitive,
Yohannes IV, who, based on later put to use during his own dull, unintelligent by those who
accounts, it seemed Menelik II had military and political campaigns. think our forefathers lived on
sufficient deference for not to go Later, the man to whom he paid trees. But that was a lie and will
to war against during the height tribute recommended a bride for never be true. For you, as an
of his expansionist campaigns. him in Taytu or Taitu Betul (his African, came from a long lineage
Instead opting to submit to him, third wife), who was a vocal player of kings, warriors, emperors, army
pay an annual tribute, be faithful in the triggering of the rejection generals, wealthy tillers of the
to him and cease his expansion of the Treaty of Wuchale (which, earth and its resources, those
into European trade routes. In based on accounts, she even who the kings of other nations
exchange, he was granted the tore up) and even went to battle outside Africa bowed to in honour
title of King of Shewa by the alongside him during the Battle and fear. And because the African
Emperor. But when the Emperor of Adowa, having triggered her blood is rich and bold, it means
died, even those in Yohannes’ husband and those in his court to you are also a king, emperor,
household had sufficient wisdom stand up against the Italians. wealthy and not some aid-
not to go against Menelik II. For me, the Battle of Adowa begging roadside compromising
He was far more powerful than was purely and exclusively the individual.
they. So Menelik II continued his handiwork of God. Through this The story of Menelik 2 shows
expansion northward this time, man’s life, God created a signature the picture of a man who rose
unabated and sought recognition moment for him and his people, from the ashes of grief, failure,
from the Italians as Emperor of all which also inspired other Africans, disappointment and everything
Ethiopia, effectively setting a date even those in the Diaspora. life threw at him, to lead an
with destiny. After the Battle of Ethiopia became known as the empire that conquered many
Adowa, he continued to expand his land that was never conquered. lands, a true African indeed. But
territories, undeterred by European Much has been said to explain let me tell you what this means,
presence and claim over various away the defeat of the Italians and the entire story of Menelik 2 is
regions to the south. He also the decided disadvantages that just a shadow compared to that
focused on the modernisation they had, I’m not sure if it was to of the coming King, Who, as a
and improvement of his territories temper the embarrassment that stone rejected by men in the
politically, administratively as the exists in the minds of those days of His flesh, will cut out a
well as in terms of physical who face off against Africans and stone without hands, set it up on
infrastructure geared at improving come away at a disadvantage ... I the earth as a mountain and will
the quality of life of his people. will leave it there. bring to an end the kingdoms of
The circumstances surrounding this world. I speak of Christ, the
These are my thoughts (based on this man’s life, his training, his King. For of the increase of His
my knowledge that God has made circumstances, challenges faced government and peace there will
a choice in every man who has and overcome, strategic moves be no end, for upon the throne
ever or shall ever walk the face of and countermoves all point to a of David His father shall He sit
the earth) life chosen to tell a very specific and over His kingdom, shall He
tale about Africa and to Africa, reign, to order it and establish it
Born August 1844 and baptized which I pray Africa and Africans with judgment and justice, from
as Sahle Maryam, Menelik II was will heed in the times to come. this time forward, even forever. Be
the son of a king, Haile Menekot For me, that message is: there is ready!
who was King of Shewa before an alternate path for Africa and
him. However, his father was it is worth fighting for. There is a For counsel and wisdom to live in this age of
killed in a battle against Emperor path chosen by God for each man the end of time, please use the contacts below.
counsel@msingiafrikamagazine.com
Tewodros and this Emperor took (male and female), and it is worth
him into a form of captivity that living it out to the max.

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