15 centuries ago,
We, as Africans, took our biggest blow And no no no,
This wasn’t just for show.
Our people actually fought to say no,
But only ended up letting go,
Of everything that we were to know.
And even so,
At our very low,
We will only continue to grow,
And yes our progress might be slow,
But our blessings only continue to overflow
Because the growth in prosperity that we undergo
Seems like hiking up a mountain without a plateau
As the African youth,
We’re only here to pick up the pace.
But this only begins when we start to embrace,
Instead of replace.
Because at the end of our days,
The aim is not to erase,
Our cultures. Languages. And even our faiths
Our traditions as well as our ancestor’s ways.
And even if a hard chase,
Is what it takes,
To erase their mistakes,
Then we don’t need to fight in a manner of grace.
I call you to stand,
Tall and proud,
Of your African roots and who you are,
Rebrand
Shout out,
And be loud.
Because that is who we are called to be,
After all. Don’t we claim to be free?
This poem. By yours truly as I speak to you right now. May not have a name yet but what it does have is …meaning.
Because we’ve seen our parents change their English accents when they get a business related call.
We’ve all, well those of us with “complicated” ethnic names. Shortened our names or covered our name with the thickest English accent to make it sound easier to say. This looks like me introducing myself as Ruva or Ruvarashe instead of Ruvarashe. This isn’t by choice but because we feel the need to adapt.
We live in a Westernized Society and it’s difficult to actually embrace your africanacity, Africa day isn’t just on the 25th of May. Africa day should be every day because it means being proud of who you are. Your roots and where you come from. I’m not saying change everything in your life but what I’m saying is even if you dress like a twizzy. Be a twizzy.
But don’t make your ancestors shake in their graves as you fight battles to keep up your ‘’yeat’’ accent and telling people to call you prince lulu instead of your true ethnic name, Luyanda. Please. Stay true to African self.
Ruvarashe Sajanga signing out with the Diversity Commitee, I thank you.