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!

♪ 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

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