Page 102 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 10

MY AFRIKA

I can't remember the exact words I really about giving the most of what No two Afrikans are the same, just
responded to her answers with, but I you have right in your hand at the as no two humans are the same
believe it was along these lines. I think time it is needed of you. So it's not globally. And I said this because,
people don't give their best because some kind of competition to outdo while I may have the mindset that
they do not understand that whatever others, but a competition against says all I do or give must be my
we do or give as humans, it's not a your own self that may want you best, other Afrikans may not have
reflection of the people we are doing to give less. In our case, it was easy such mind even if they have the
it for or giving it to. Its a reflection of to just do the magazine design in a required skills to give their best. I
ourselves and what we stand for. shabby way since we really were not remember having to redo the mag-
For instance, when we started this expecting money from it. But we azine template several times until
magazine in 2018, we did not have the knew that whether there was money it made some "excellent" sense to
skills required to make it happen, nor coming from it or not, what we give me.
did we have the funds to hire those or put out there will not speak of And also to further answer the
that have the skills to do what we those we are giving it to, but it will question about whether Afrikans
needed. And knowing that the mag- speak of who we are on the inside. are lazy in their minds, I think Af-
azine was what must be done as part rikans are some of the most talent-
of how to reach Afrikans with the What does it really matter? ed creators worldwide. Having said
message of hope, we needed to find I think it matters a whole lot. that, I think most people in Afrika
a way to make it happen. On my part, I believe that giving or doing our don't give their best because we in
I got the software required to make best in any space we find ourselves Afrika still struggle with the issue
the magazine designs, got loads of has a lot to do with our personal of adequate compensation, reward
YouTube tutorials and buried myself ideologies and orientations about or appreciation for good talent. So
in learning how to make magazine de- life and the impact we have and also why bother to give your best if you
signs. For the first one week of learn- want to leave around us. Personally, won't be compensated adequately?
ing, I was doing no less than sixteen I am very concerned and also pay And this is why I said that giving
hours a day at my desk. In my head, close attention to the effects of your best is about you and not the
even though we knew the magazine things I do on others. And I am not other person.
was going to be free for all who read saying this to mean that I live my I have met some "crazy" Afrikan
it, I could not make myself give below life or do things to impress others, designers whose works for me
the standard I am convinced is my but that I am very conscious of my were beyond my creative ability
best. I got so engrossed in learning actions and how they affect others and I am very convinced Afrikans
how to make the designs that even in around me. As a creative or some- are excellent creators.
my sleep, I would find myself doing one whose head is constantly look-
the magazine. A little bit after a week, ing for the very next thing to create, The question now is this, what if
the first template of the magazine be it a new song, a new design, or the world never wakes up from the
was ready for customization. My wife even a new idea in my head, I am effect of Covid-19 and businesses
on her own part was learning seri- always looking for how best to bring don't return to normal, will you
ously how to customize the website forth that which is brewing in my stop doing your best just because
template we were going to use and mind. And because I am conscious no client is willing to make a deal
also learning how to work around the of the very things I do and how with you? Think about it and also
other software that power the back- they affect others and everything remember that creativity is about
end of the magazine. It was a very around me, I am also very conscious your inner person before it is
crucial moment that defined what our about making it my best. Why is that about those outside.
mindset about excellence was and we really important? If you have the
gave it all that we could then. So it capacity to give your average and Peace always.
was not so surprising that when the also your best, why settle for average
first issue went live that readers were when you can shoot for the best of
so captivated by the quality of design. yourself? I just think it makes sense
We simply gave it all we could give it. to do that.

Now, it's easy to think that giving our Are Afrikans lazy in their minds?
best means we must be able to outdo I don't think so. I just think the
others. Not at all. Giving one's best is diversity in Afrika also means that

102 | Heal . Restore . Rebirth . Afrika