Page 91 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 1

ISSUE ONE | JULY/AUG

The Reflections of an

African

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