I recently met a man, nice guy with a sad story. Let’s call him, Patrick. It wasn’t a “life dealt him bad cards” kind of situation, and to make it sadder, he knew he had created his predicament. Patrick has fallen prey to what I have dubbed the ‘folly of perfection’. In our days, many of us are obsessed with having the perfect job, car, spouse, family, etc. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a certain life for yourself, but for Patrick, he got too focused on what could be, and forgot to appreciate what is!

My friend lost his wife because he wasn’t present; he had a good job and was doing better than most, but he got lost in today’s notion of bigger, brighter, better. The moral of the story here is that in our pursuit of greener pastures, don’t forget to actually live and be present. Even in the worst of times, like say during a pandemic, find a safe or appropriate way of being in the moment.

As we enjoy and live in the moment, I hope you celebrated your African heritage and abundant swag this Africa World Heritage Day which was on the 5th of May, and continue to celebrate all through Africa Month. Let us swim in the endless cultural diversity in Africa and worldwide on the 25th of May.

In the spirit of togetherness and getting along, we at asanteafrika.net pray for Israel and Palestine, may peace be found in both camps before the present is gone and the desired outcome both are vying for is never realised. War is one of those things we do as a race that I will never understand; so much innocence is lost in the process. Does the end really justify the means? This is a legit question; I would like to hear your thoughts, be it in the comments section or our many social media platforms, @asanteafrikamag.

Lastly, I would like to give a huge shout-out to the mothers of the world. Without mothers we would be lost, these Queens run so much behind the scenes we take for granted. Thank you, siyabonga, asante, jere jef, realeboga, natotela mama.

Stay Safe

XOXO

Hazel Lifa

hazel@asanteafrika.net

Hello Asante Afrika family, hope we’re all making it through February fairly intact.

The Month of Love, ou la la! Call me a cynic, but, I find it weird that we need a designated month and date to express love to our loved ones openly, or risk being called a ‘simp’, as the kids are saying these days. Human emotions are something modern societal codes of conduct are slowly making negative notions. This month Asante crowd, I implore you to express love to yours all month long and throughout the year. Express love to yourself, pamper yourself!

Black identity and behaviour have been on display lately on U.S. social media with the topic of colourism. While the discussion has been taking place on the western scene, this is unfortunately one of those issues that involve us too. Africa is guilty of colourism whether we know it or not – how we praise and revere the ‘yellow bone’, and make the darker-skinned black woman feel inadequate. The pumping in of billions into the skin bleaching industry by this prejudice we have for each other has to stop. It is ultimately self-hatred in disguise.  

I will take this moment to say to our fellow Africans in Uganda, our thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through political turmoil. While we say we are of modern evolved times, the tendencies of the past still linger in our behaviour. There is much tension in the country of Uganda following its presidential elections that saw Yoweri Museveni winning the presidency for a shocking sixth time. 

There have been reports of killings and violence surrounding the elections that have caught the attention of the world at large. As an African, I have experienced such a situation in my own country, the uncertainty, the fear. It is especially difficult when we add the stress, killer, and inconvenience that is the Covid-19 pandemic. At some point, you would think we would learn!

Lastly as we bask in Cupid’s month, let’s not forget other seemingly futile, but important things that are celebrated in February. Like for instance, International Mother Language Day (Feb 21), a rare chance to celebrate the vastness of our indigenous languages that paint Africa in her shining glory of diversity. Maybe even learn another African language if you find yourself bored.

Stay safe; wash your hands, wear your mask, stay home if you can, and keep your chin up high. It’s not over yet!

xoxo

Hazel Lifa

A Happy New Year to all our readers. We are grateful to have you guys alive and well existing in 2021.

For a lot of us this so called New Year is honestly feeling like an extension of awful 2020. To avoid going crazy for this year, I say put New Year resolutions aside or at the very least stay realistic. Now it is always good to have goals and be organised, but be kind to yourself. we all had goals that had to be put on the back burner for 2020 and looks like 2021 will follow suit.

Some countries like Zimbabwe have started the year off with the literal cancellation of January as the southern African country went back into strict lockdown mode after Covid-19 new infections rose. South Africa is facing the rise of a new strain of Covid-19. The long-anticipated second wave is upon us, and guys, we can do this, just like we did not so long ago. Stay safe, wash your hands regularly, avoid going out if you can, and don’t be embarrassed to drink that dreadful ginger, garlic, onion and lemon remedy.

Try to walk into the so-called ‘new year’ (which, yes, feels very much like 2020), with an optimistic outlook. Things look dreary now but remember, we still have 11 months to go. While at home, take advantage of the free time to better yourself, learn a new language or subject. The point is to keep on going and busy. “When one door close God opens a window” they say.

Keep your head up, and remember, it’s not over yet…

Hazel Lifa