Thabo Mbeki - I Am an African

 

Whilst my disagreement with TM is very public, once upon a time... he raised me. He was a father to many of us, he taught us about being disciplined and dedicated to Africa's renewal. TM was one man who didn't care about being liked, but cared about progress and excellence. As his student, I drank from his well and was nourished deeply. He remains one of the strongest unifying forces that this continent has ever seen. Jama ka Sjadu, Zizi Elihle, eyakho indima uyidlalile and usiqeqeshile kushushu kunzima. Enkosi Jama. 

Where you and I have disagreed, let history be left alone to absolve us both. My sister died from Aids, and I still believe you could have prevented it. But besides that, you were one of the greatest leaders to light a fire under us as a generation, you took the time to realise that we needed mentorship, we need a school. And you took it upon yourself to be our teacher, flawed as you were. I admire you for that Zizi elihle.

My book 'Dangerous Blacks' was greatly inspired by you and your obsession with intellectual enquiry. We can't be basic as leaders, we need to spend time thinking and researching and questioning and evaluating. 

Tata Ndiyabulela.

Dr. John Henrik Clarke - The African Man and Goddess (Mind Blowing!)

 

Dr John Henrik Clarke on Malcolm X

 

Dr John Henrik Clarke on Cheik Anta Diop

God Talk and the African Roots of Faith with Dr. Anthony Browder 

Unraveled (A book That Must Be Written)

Okay, this is a book in the making. But it all came to me in one night. Coincidentally the night my husband came home after a 4 day work trip. There’s something about his energy, his presence that calms and focusses me. I’d been trying to write whilst he was away and didn’t really get far. But on this night, everything just clicked. He does have that power on me, and I’m grateful for it.

So, this is a book I’ve been working on for a while and I haven’t really decided on a title for it, even this is a “working title” and may change, but I know the story I wish to tell. The story of Ukuba Nabadala.

For a lot of people with ‘abadala’ people often ask questions like: What are the signs that you have a calling? Others ask what are the golden rules to live by if you’ve got a calling. I don’t believe I’ve got the authority to answer either of these questions definitively, but I can share what lessons I’ve learnt (and am still learning) on this journey.

1) Forgive Everything

2) Awuzenzanga / Awuzenzi (related to No. 1)

3) Izitha kumelwe zize. 

4) There will be pain. (Pain often comes from betrayal No. 3)

5) You WILL change (your mood, what you like, what music you listen to etc.)

6) Ecstasy.

7) Engage both your intellect and your imagination on this journey. But there will be times when both fail you.

8) You have 10 000 + guides walking with you, rooting for you, loving you. All the way.

9) Surrender.

10) Get used to Miracles / Coincidences in your favour.

11) Listen and honour your subconscious (mostly dreams and gut feelings).

12) The universe conspired to create you as you are for this role. The answers you seek are not out there, but within.

13) Every family ought to have its own Sangoma. Your primary role is to heal yourself and your family. *always remember this!*

14) Isangoma sivuswa ingoma. Dance and sing your way through it all. (This may not apply to everyone, but has been my reality)

15) Fluidity. Change is the only constant in life.

16) Intwaso is meant to train you to 1) surrender 2) manage idlozi 3) teach you to serve. (and serving is not the same as surrendering, I can surrender my CEO title, but still not be doing what I’m meant to do. Which is to SERVE. That’s why it’s called a CALLING)

17) The more you give, the more you receive. That’s why you give for free (more often than not)

18) What you offer isn’t cheap. It’s priceless. Know your worth.

19) It’s okay to like the finer things in life. Amakhosi abantu basebu Khosini. Don’t be sorry you’re not basic.

20) There’s a reason why you’re so emotional. Your calling is linked to the things that move you most (whether to anger you, whether to excite you, whether to inspire you).

21) Zazi.

22) You cannot do this alone. Find your tribe.

23) This was a previous point but it also needs to live on its own. Engage Your Imagination.

24) Respect.

25) The 10 000 are rooting for you. Even as you read this.It’s painful but it’s not hard. Just like childbirth. You understand the pain because something greater is coming.

26) Izangoma zinolaka. You’re not alone. Sometimes those you walk with can smell BS a mile away. Remember Rule No. 1.

27) Those who are not us actually envy our access to the truth.

28) Stop. Explaining. Yourself. (Tell them to buy this book)

29) Have a teachable spirit. Always be open to learning. From plants, to children, to people, to seasons. Never close yourself to learning something new.

30) God likes you. That’s why (he/she) chose you. Learn to like YOU too.

After all is said and done, every single one of us has a Calling. The calling to be true to the path your ancestors chose when they decided you were to be born. A big part of it is about healing generational wounds. We are deeply broken as a people, and need to do the 'shadow work' to heal what our great great great grandparents went through. Whilst also healing the wounds we ourselves face. Being black. Being Here. Being called 'failed experiments' after generations of abuse and degradation. We need to heal.

But over and above that. We are all called to chase our inner ecstasy. Our greatest joy and the most orgasmic experience that defines you, to you, for you. We are called to chase love. Chase it with all our hearts, and chase it every day of our lives until our last breath. 

Because in doing that, we will know God.