By Samuel Chamboko – I’m almost certain that this has been harped on since Rosa Parks stood her ground on that fateful morning in Montgomery, Alabama, since the Rev. Martin Luther King (Jnr) made the now famous ‘I have a dream….’ Speech, since Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, Julius Nyerere, Kenneth Kaunda, Joshua Nkomo, Robert Mugabe, Oliver Tambo , Leopold Senghor and other founding luminaries in African nationalism decided to take up the fight for emancipation of African/black people (hence forth African and black will be used interchangeably). The one message that was preached was that Africans should unite. Even the... Continue Reading
By Samuel Chamboko 1. Ageing – Ever wondered why in western culture it is considered rude to ask a woman her age? African women flaunt their age. Traditionally there is a status that is only acquired with age. The older you get the more respect you command in society (ceteris paribus). Where I come from if you fail to observe this, local mamas will rebuke by saying ‘don’t you see I’m old enough to be your mother?’ That’s a huge indictment. 2. Gaining weight – It is considered perfectly healthy to have a bulging stomach and a double chin. It... Continue Reading
By Samuel Chamboko – Story telling was and, to a limited extent now, still is an integral part of African culture. I remember as a little boy pleading with my maternal grandmother to tell us ngano (shona for folk tales passed down generations) and how we would listen attentively as she regaled us with these most amazing tales. Most, though, had lessons to teach about community, perseverance, morality, honesty and all other virtues that one can think of. I think about them now and while I remember the majority of them, I have never made an effort to try and... Continue Reading
