Cause this is Africa!
“Tsa mina mina zangalewa 'Cause this is Africa”
I don't know where you come from, but this is Africa!
Yesterday, I was just reminded again of the beauty of Africa, the world's second largest continent and home of over 1,500 distinct languages.
I took my stepson shopping, and as we got into the car, one of my favorite songs started to play, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”.
For those of you who don’t know, “waka waka” means “do it” and is a phrase from Cameroon, where the original song also originated. This is also how I got to know the song in its original format when we were traveling the islands of Comoros.
It was in one of the hotels where we were staying that they were teaching the guests the Waka Waka as part of the entertainment.
Comoros might be one of the poorest countries in the world, but it is rich in smells and smiles. Comoros is the home of vanilla. Although it is an Islamic country, they also speak French and believe that they should have been part of Africa. The spirit of Africa, “waka waka” is what they practice.
2010! South Africa was hosting the Fifa World Cup, and “Waka Waka” was no longer just a song listened to by Africans but by the world. It was played in stadiums, on the radio, in shopping malls, on television, wherever you went. No matter the race, the color, or the language, everyone sang along to the words.
♪ Tsamina mina eh, eh
Waka waka eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
When we got to the shopping mall, the search started. Divan wanted “takkies.” This is the South African word for sneakers. Well, he didn’t just want any takkies, but a specific style and, of course, as a typical teenager, a specific brand.
I eventually just gave up, gave him my card, and told him to look on his own, as there were at least another 10+ shops that we had not yet visited.
I love window shopping!
As a child, my dad used to take us on a Sunday afternoon for window shopping. Those were the days that we could push our noses against the window of a shop, dreaming about having what you could see with an ice cream in your hand.
I got stuck—not by a shop window but at a stall in the middle of one of the floors.
A stall where three young men were selling the beadwork and other art they were making themselves: a Cameroonian, a Nigerian, and a South African.
Three men from different African countries worked together to later send money home to their families.
Can you believe it?
It was also a stall that not only entertained locals, and holiday makers but also tourist who would later wrap their gifts carefully to take back home as souvenirs for those at home.
This, my dear friends, is the beauty of Africa.
♪ You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up and dust yourself off and back in the saddle
You're on the front line
Everyone's watching
You know it's serious we're getting closer, this isn't over
The pressure is on
You feel it
But you've got it all
Believe it
When you fall get up oh, oh
And if you fall get up eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
'Cause this is Africa
I was reminded that Africa is not only known for its breathtaking landscapes and incredible biodiversity but also for its people.
African traditions are deeply rooted in the continent’s cultural fabric. We are entertained by traditional ceremonies such as initiation rites, and weddings, not to mention those incredible festivals. It is these practices, which are often accompanied by music, dance, and traditional attire, that truly reflect Africa’s values and beliefs, that unite us all under the African sun and what makes me proud to say that I am a child of Africa.
You should know by now that South Africa is often referred to as the "Rainbow Nation" as I have mentioned plenty of times in my posts.
Let me remind you again that it is because of our vibrant mix of cultures, languages, and traditions that we are called this.
South Africa might be home to 12 official languages, including Afrikaans, my home language, and various nationalities but this is however not where it ends. It also reflects the rest of Africa in its rich cultural mosaic.
I was also reminded that it is through the art and music of Africa that we get to express who we are. On the one hand, traditional African art which includes these intricate beadwork, carvings, and textiles. On the other hand, our music features a variety of rhythms and instruments like drums, xylophones, marimbas, the kora, and many more.
I felt proud speaking to these three men, who clearly live with the spirit of “Ubuntu,” humanity to others. As children of Africa, we are taught that I am who I am because of others.
I got lost in their words, and more than an hour later, it was also where Divan found me. It must have been the “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” that put me in the mood and that made me listen to the stories they had to tell.
♪ Listen to your God
This is our motto
Your time to shine don't wait in line y vamos por todo
People are raising
Their expectations
Go on and feed them this is your moment no hesitations
Today's your day
I feel it
You paved the way
Believe it
If you get down get up oh, oh
When you get down get up eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
This is the beauty of Africa! A multifaceted continent that stands out for its cultural depth, natural beauty, historical significance, and beautiful people.
I am a proud child of Africa!
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmb68ndbWi3mcxicFcAD19sZ16gZJtqZWqYDGQF2PdvdTW/image.png)
♪ Tsamina mina, eh, eh
Waka waka, eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa, a, a
Tsamina mina, eh, eh
Waka waka, eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmP4o5nhYwt3fDCupJwWhXCChU1tXEE4VmqVizhUtYjhWw/pennsif.witness.gif)
This is one thing I’ve always loved about steemit, we learn a lot.
You won’t believe that, if you hadn’t mentioned this song, I thought “shakira”, the popular musician was the owner of this music because during the World Cup opening, that was the song she sang.
Thanks for clearing the air..
I really love the art work with the beads..
Hope your kid later found the sneakers, he was looking for?
I agree 100% with you. I wonder if one day goes by without me learning something new.
"Waka Waka" and Shakira go hand in hand. I can still remember how upset South Africans were when it was allowed for her to sing it and not for someone from Africa.
Now, something else I can tell you. My favorite South African band was at least the backup artist for her. It is a group with the name Freshlyground. The lead singer, Solani, was just awesome.
Check this out.
As for those sneakers, he did, and at a 50% discount.
It was a very productive afternoon for us. (•ิ‿•ิ)
The curator/curators are always faster than me. ;)
This post is a vibe. My eldest daughter learnt to walk on the tune of this song. We would play it on laptop and put it a little farther from her. And she would try to walk towards it :)
This comment is upvoted by soulfuldreamer through sc03 account!
@soulfuldreamer
Awh! That is precious!
I can tell you that you are going to remember it for a very long time. (•ิ‿•ิ)
Thank you for the vote. 🎕
This comment is voted by event-horizon using sc06.
Africa my beloved and wonderful continent
I am really proud to have been from Africa
I am a proud African
Yeah!!!! Another one to say "I am a proud African!"
Together we can make Africa a better place!
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Where are my African brothers and sisters??
This time for Africa!
Oh I love that songs..i remember when South Africa hosted the cup FIFA worldcup..that song literally brought us all together!
Right now am so proud to come from Africa!! What better place can I be if not Africa.
Thank you for the reminder that I am from Africa..
You are right! It is time for Africa! (•ิ‿•ิ)
Que hermoso post que refleja ese sentimiento de orgullo y pertenencia a un continente, donde encuentras tantos contrastes y diversidades en lo cultural, tradicional y la música.
Algo me dice que tenemos mucho en común en Venezuela con África y su gente. Aquí en nuestro país existe sangre africana desde la colonización española, el sonido del tambor, lo bailes en Barlovento son producto del legado de su cultura.
Gracias por compartir, saludos y éxitos.
You took the words right out of my mouth!
I told my husband the other night that I can see so much of Africa in Venezuela. That includes the beautiful woman. (•ิ‿•ิ)
It is important to embrace where your roots are. My son stays in Ireland, and I often tell him that I know that they will never be able to take "Africa" out of him.
Thanks for the visit!
Africa
A beautiful continent to be
Ooooohhhhhhhh...
YES!Postingan anda menguak kembali memory saya tentang lagu Waka Waka , di negara saya Indonesia lagu tersebut sangat populer pada masanya, bahkan para siswa saya saat itu hampir semua bis menyanyikan. Rindu ingin memutar dan mendengar kembali lagi tersebut. Pada tahun 2023 bulai Mei saya juga pernah bertemu dengan orang dari Afrika di suatu negara, mereka orang Afrika muslim, kami saling berbicara dengan menggunakan bahasa isyarat selama beberapa menit, dan mereka sangat ramah dengan saya.
Awh! I am so glad that my fellow "continent men" were kind to you.
As for Waka Waka, it brought the world to a standstill at the time. There has never been a song like that for any other sports event. Music can make a big difference in our lives.
Thanks for the visit and the nice comment.🎕
Sama sama, saya juga senang membaca postingan dari anda, seperti ada sesuatu yang berbeda dari setiap postingan yang anda terbitkan
Terima kasih
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Thank you!
Who doesn't know this song?!!
I have literally hummed it through out this post. It was only a song for me - a good one... but your description about Africa and its culture has broaden my mind and I know I will listen to it in more depth from now on.
Oh yah! It was a song that rocked the world.
I still had one of my restaurants at the time, and it was playing non-stop. All the customers wanted to hear was Waka Waka. Best of all, not once did I feel like stopping playing or listening to it.
It was amazing that an original song from Africa could unite the spirit of the world.
We need more songs like that to make the world a better place. (•ิ‿•ิ)