Thabo Mbeki’s rousing ‘I am an African’ speech stands as one of those iconic and profound assertions of pride at being African. Africa may not be the most developed continent in the world and its people may not be the most sophisticated people, but they are proud of it and would protect it with their lives. This is why people who are not Africans may not understand why its people romanticize it so much. When the Europeans looted Africa centuries back, they took everything they could lay their hands on and left behind only things that they felt were useless. Through all of that degradation and the immense hardship that followed it, Africans never lost their spirit and their zeal to survive. After the colonial masters left, Africans picked up what was left of their lives and proceeded to develop as best as they can.
In their love for Africa, Africans have built for themselves traditions and ways of doing things which only fellow Africans can understand. It is their subtle way of showing the resilient shields they developed to protect themselves from the outside world. A drive through parts of Africa captured some pictures of the African spirit of survival that only Africans would understand. Take a look.
One big happy family. If daddy does not have a car, at least he has a bike. Can you count the number of people on this bike?
The fact that these men have to park out and display their array of goods in the morning and still park them all up at night, is business as usual.
It is inhumane not to help someone in need. Stuck in the mud? All you need do is call on passers-by, and your car will be out and moving in no time.
It is very risky not to stop when a policeman says “stop”. It does not matter if it violates your individual human right or not, just stop. If you don’t stop, that’s an offense. If you hit him, that’s a double offense. But if you escape, then pray to God that he did not get your plate number, because if he did, your new name is SORRY.
Necessity they say is the mother of invention. I bet whoever invented the Jack had a need for it before he invented it. In Africa however, who says you must use a jack, there are other fun ways of lifting a car if you don’t have a jack.
This a the representation of what a typical traffic jam looks like in most rural settings. When they are in a good mood, they would graze in nearby bushes. When they are not in a good mood, you might as well start walking. Note that the African Sheep can be as mulish as the goat.
White people were shocked the first time they saw Africans tie babies to their backs. Well these days, it is no longer only children who get piggyback rides.
Is that coffin occupied? It does not matter if it is. Africans respect the dead too much to not want to spend every last moment with a loved one.
It is only fair to get some rest after a hard day’s work. What better way to relax than to create a makeshift bed under the truck. This way, anyone who wants to steal it would have to take the owner along.
Call it McDonald’s or Al Donald, they are all Donalds. If McDonald is better than Al Donald, only people who have been to both places know. Anyways, food is food.
A hole on the road is a pothole. Whether it is big and 5 ft deep, it is still a pothole and it is not a new thing in Africa. Everyone knows to watch their step.
This is definitely faster than walking. He might be standing, but he’ll get there before someone who is walking. Its called hitching a ride.
Skating is not news to Africans. Our roads may not be good all through, but it does not stop us from having fun. Oh, it also doubles as a means of transport.
Africans say “when the desirable is not available, the available becomes the desirable”.
Car trouble! Who says you need to tow it to the workshop. Don’t worry, the workshop will come to you. Oncoming vehicles won’t even mind.
A typical workshop is made from flattened out car hoods and parts.
Overload is allowed and it is perfectly safe.
UN aid workers. I guess his helmet says it all. Carry your troubles elsewhere. But then, why are they here.
Seeing a corpse on the streets means that justice has been served. Its called 1 missed call. Last I checked, having a missed call is perfectly normal.
