Celebrating Africa’s independence

The father of the nation, former president Nelson Mandela, once described South Africa’s fight for liberation as “the titanic effort” that helped to ensure the “liberation of Africa”. As the continent observes Africa Month in May, and Africa Day on 25 May, Africans across the spectrum will mark this long battle for freedom, not just for South Africa, but for all of Africa.

Africa Day signals the anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, giving the people of Africa an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of many and raise a glass to freedom from colonial rule and apartheid.

UCT News caught up with a variety of students and staff on campus and asked them: “What makes you African?” This is what they had to say…

Simbarashe Mariwande – Zimbabwe

“We’re a big family. The sense of family in Africa has been instilled in me. You know how in Africa your siblings are your siblings, but also your cousins are your siblings; your aunties are your moms; your uncles are your fathers. We’re all just a tight family.”

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Archippe Manzilla – Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

“My connection to my cultural heritage, my roots as well as the potential of Africa.”

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Mutsa Mungoshi – Zimbabwe

“The love we share for each other and our homes cements our heritage.”

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Helda Mandlate – Mozambique

“My constant striving for freedom, my heritage, my skin colour.”

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Jose Patricio – Mozambique

“The only man I envy is the man who has not yet come to Africa. He has so much to look forward to.” (Richard Mullin, origin unknown)

 

“The only man I envy is the man who has not yet come to Africa. He has so much to look forward to.”

Arnold Mouende – South Africa

“My ability to overcome hardship and get through certain obstacles no matter how difficult it may be for me. I feel that as an African it is very important because [history] shows that my ancestors have overcome many hardships throughout the years. I feel that’s a very important quality for me to carry through.”

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Amanda Eseko – Tanzania

“The heritage, the rich culture, the food.”

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Tess Yieke – Kenya

“Africa is one continent, a united people with one voice standing as one nation. I will live and die in Africa.”

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Gracia Mukangwa – Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

“Knowing that I am different in the African context, but also being celebrated for my diversity. It also means knowing that I have a harsh past but also acknowledging and celebrating our future victories.”

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Craig David Mukasa – Uganda

“I am not African because I was born in Africa, but because Africa was born in me.” (Kwame Nkrumah)

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Naledi Malinga – South Africa

“Claiming and realising all the dreams that seemed out of reach for my family.”

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Ebenezer Ghebrenegus – Eritrea

“My community and having people I share my ambitions and my struggles with.”

 

“It’s the feeling you get when you land from a trip and touch down in Cape Town, that feeling that I am home that makes my heart sing.”

Jean Alfeld – South Africa

“It’s the feeling you get when you land from a trip and touch down in Cape Town, that feeling that I am home that makes my heart sing. The feeling I get from the colours, the sounds, the people, the food, the music, the chaos, the smell of the rain on the dry ground. Most importantly, it’s the people and the sense of belonging to a community, to a village... This is Africa. For me this is what makes me feel African and proud to be African. It’s the sense of ubuntu that you don’t get anywhere else in the world. We are people because of other people.”

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Charlton Esterhuizen – South Africa

“The juxtaposition of this unique diversity that we embody or represent, especially as a coloured community. In a very literal sense [we] represent this meeting or clash of worlds and we are the outcome of this. In all of its beauty, its conflict and that deep history, and still that willingness to move forward in this world and achieve things, [there is] this immense optimism in our future as South Africans and our desire to achieve it. And most importantly, the enjoyment of a good masala steak Gatsby.”

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Dalitso Banda – Zambia

“It’s to be part of a great heritage and heir to a bright future.”

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Chandeline Jordaan – South Africa

“Africa is forever growing because my roots [are] in Africa.”

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Henrietta Ifyede – Nigeria

“Recognising the various diverse cultures on this continent and to embrace this culture. The richness in our food, basically how ethnically diverse this continent is and how we as Africans can work together to unite to move the continent forward.”

 

“Each day you’re being made more African than you were the day before.”

Chinenye Chukwuka – Nigeria

“Live the experiences, everything I’ve been through, the food I eat, the way I dress, the way you behave, the way you get agitated, the way you laugh. The way you live every day and this comes from our unique experiences. My family is Nigerian and the way we laugh, talk, is loud. These are small things you don’t notice as it happens, but each day you’re being made more African than you were the day before.”

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Vitha Makuta – Malawi

“It’s my upbringing, it’s the people who raised me and the wisdom they imparted. I am a product of those people.”

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Galiema Darries – South Africa

“I was born and raised in a Muslim home and community and I can practise my religion freely.”

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Joy Erasmus – South Africa

“Living a value system that includes hard work and never giving up, not just for me, but for the greater good.”

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