Page 50 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 9

MY AFRIKA

REBRANDING

AFRIKA

By: Samuel Phillips

while ago, I watched a of in the media are alarming. negative narrative of Afrika going
YouTube video where From all indications and the way the on makes some people happy and
the Afrikan-Ameri- American narrative of a perfect and motivated. But why be motivated by
A can singer Akon was mighty nation has been portrayed evil rather than being motivated by
talking about branding. He made over the course of decades in Hol- what is good? Does not make any
mention of how America is con- lywood's movies, music videos and sense to me.
sidered the most branded society, social media, I want to agree with Afrika's brand, from where I sit, is
in which all of the negative things Akon. However, I am of the opin- not one which will take the shape
happening in that land is brandedly ion that every people, nation or con- of those lies that other nations use
(if there is any word like that) veiled tinent have the right to control their as masks, but the truth of what she
using mind bending media power narrative and public face. Meaning is as the Motherland of mankind.
just to keep the narrative of an that I have no issues with whatever Meaning her branding is about life
America that is all milk and honey America or any other country out- and the spirit that nurtures life.
with no problems. And in my opin- side of Afrika is doing to project to
ion, if you watch properly, you will the world a very beautiful and stain- The Chinese gift
notice that the same America that less image of themselves. I however My wife and I recently launched our
goes all around bullying everybody have issues with the fact that Afrika first book and to tell you the truth,
and trying to police every country is not taking a clear and good stand we are quite excited the book came
on account of the negative things to create her own positive narrative out when it did. Many thanks to
that happens in their countries is and public brand that befits her those who have supported our work
the very same America where all position as the cradle of humanity. by way of purchase, even words of
that they accuse others of, happens Afrikans seem to see and trumpet encouragement and sharing it with
but which they mask with branding. their failure to the world more than others.
Akon went on to mention that the they celebrate and give voice to the So a short while ago, we were at our
cases of terrorism that happen in good things and successes coming printers' to collect a batch of books
America, but which you don't hear out of Afrika. It's like keeping the that we had ordered. As we talked

50 | Heal . restore . rebirth . Afrika