CAMPAIGN AFRICA - Maluphakanyiswe uphondo lwayo!

The look of FREEDOM of UNITY of an AFRICA VICTORIOUS

a future perceived

the prayer for Africa says "Maluphakanyiswe uphondo lwayo!"

Thirty-two years on from 11 February 1990; a day filled with visions full of hope! 

Also this year marks fifty-nine years since the formation of the Organization of African Unity. We still strive for more vibrant intra-Africa collaborations expressed through consistent demonstrations of unity

How to raise the horn of Unity in Africa?

Apple Music Celebrates Talent Across the Continent with 'Africa Month' Launch

Well, let us appreciate the visionaries.

The OAU was founded in May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by 32 African states with the main aim of bringing the African nations together and resolve the issues within the continent. Its first ever conference was held on 1 May 1963 in Addis Ababa. At that conference, the late Gambian historian—and one of the leading Gambian nationalists and Pan-Africanists at the time—Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof delivered a speech in front of the member states, in which he said:

"It is barely 75 years when the European Powers sat around the table in Germany each holding a dagger to carve up Africa for its own benefit.… Your success will inspire and speed up the freedom and total independence of the African continent and eradicate imperialism and colonialism from the continent and eventually neo-colonialism from the globe… Your failure, which no true African in Africa is praying for, will prolong our struggle with bitterness and disappointment. I, therefore, adjure that you ignore any suggestion outside Africa and holding that the present civilization, which some of the big powered are boasting of, sprang up from Africa, and realising that the entire world has something earthly to learn from Africa, you would endeavour your utmost to come to agreement, save Africa from the clutches of neo-colonialism and resurrect African dignity, manhood and national stability."

 Africa Day is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity on 25 May 1963. It is celebrated in various countries on the African continent, as well as around the world.

The OAU had the following primary aims:

  • To co-ordinate and intensify the co-operation of African states in order to achieve a better life for the people of Africa.
  • To defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of African states.
  • The OAU was also dedicated to the eradication of all forms of colonialism and white minority rule. The OAU proposed two ways of ridding the continent of colonialism and white minority rule. First, it would defend the interests of independent countries. Secondly, it would remain neutral in terms of world affairs, preventing its members from being controlled once more by outside powers.

Africa Must Unite, 1963 “The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart.” – Kwame Nkrumah


"History teaches us that unity is strength, and cautions us to submerge and overcome our differences in the quest for common goals, to strive, with all our combined strength, for the path to true African brotherhood and unity" - Haile Selassie


"To take part in the African revolution it is not enough to write a revolutionary song: you must fashion the revolution with the people. And if you fashion it with the people, the songs will come by themselves." - Ahmed Sekou Touré


"Let me plead with you, lovers of my Africa to carry with you into the world the vision of a new Africa." - Mangaliso Sobukwe

And as the hands of time would have it:

I was born on a Sunday 25 May 1980, the 17th year after the formation of the Day of African Unity in 1963. That same year the theme was Open Skies for Africa! And so I associate my birth date with a subtle call and responsibility to honour this day of revolutionary themes.


The song Wade In The Water is a historic Negro Spiritual sang and made popular by Africans escaping slavery in the South, crossing the Mississippi River, and many others, on a long trek cross country to freedom. 

During another turbulent time in our local pre-elections and globally bizarre occurrences in our lifetime, I included Wade In The Water in my repertoire:

July 2014


Khethi & her AfroTwist at Kaya fm

Fast-forward to November 2021, seven years later I experienced this version for the first time, still bewildered by a global lockdown:

Wade in the Water by The Spirituals Choir

When I watch and hear these voices, there grows within me a more vivid image of all countries of Africa united, together singing alongside The Spiritual Choir on the lake shore in the Warm Heart of Africa [Malawi].  This recording of Wade In The Water by The Spirituals Choir has inspired an exciting idea.

This idea went on to spark an exciting and extravagant concept and I began steadily connecting a dynamic team for an initial pilot project. And just when I started to feel overwhelmed by the expense involved in moving choirs from different countries into Malawi in 16 weeks, I was reminded by this following tribute that its okay to step out of the maze you are creating and reconfigure for a clearer shot at your vision. 

February 2022


Khumbula Ukholo Lwakho Yamisava

And so began the journey campaigning for a continentally inclusive celebration.

Via my platform Campaign Africa I have asserted my call to action, on a journey to discover via social medias, performance videos by singers of African decent that really connect and resonate a vibration I can collaborate with in producing the African Unity Commemoration on Lake Malawi next year, for the 60th anniversary of the OAU...

”so I listen as your voice plays with melodies, from the feeling I get, to the vibration and mood your performance sets; Then I imagine your sound live at Malawi's lakeshores, sunset into sunrise.  In the videos selected here, I was really transported, so I compile and share your video on this blog because I am genuinely moved by your creative expression." - in my capacity as a social activist, using music as a tool of communication.

Below I share three examples of what I'm discovering; including this brother and his friends, in the Congo, hheyi Lingala has so much soul!

@gracelokwa1

Kisi y’a soni

♬ son original - Grâce lokwa

This young lady's choice of melodies and her breath control...Yikes!

@keinaglennae #duet with @corps_meteore now let me get up and get myself together 😂 #fyp #BbStyleFearlessly #MACChallengeAccepted #viral #singingtiktok #foryou ♬ son original - Corps Météore

Here is another acapella duo that excited me very much

@kahlybe._ Casual stairwell singing pt 2 w/@haduj.iiawah #fyp #backstreetboys #iwantitthatway ♬ original sound - Kahlybe._

 

And so I continue my journey assembling dream collaborators as passionate as I am about collectively mobilizing in a conscious effort towards the future of our beloved Africa.  


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