Celebrating Africa With Afrobloggers

Author. the Zambian godfather of Blogging Sir Kempson Ari Jaffe Joffer

@ZambiazHarshTag   @KempsonAri 

kalembaweyulu.wordpress.com

“Just because we live in a country that has problems does not mean we are excluded from enjoying beautiful things.” Reni Folawiyo, Ogojiii Issue 1 Cycle 06/2015

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trife is a global occurrence not solely on the African continent, the physical and vivid mental images are mere aftershocks of a greater malevolence fueled by voracity and callous nature of the few that control external power. I refuse to be a pawn or the tonic that keeps the flames of oppression and pessimism burning, mine is a message of triumph in our community. We have a duty as Africans, the young in carrying the banner high and keeping the torch burning and the old must remind us and guide us on who we are as a people as we articulate the destiny only we can utter. Who will stop the violence if not us?  Who will uplift and ease the suffering if not us? Who will preserve our identity if not us?  Who will respect Africans if not us? Who will love Africa if not us? Who will tell the story of Africa if not us?           

Anything in life worth commemorating cannot be applauded alone. Hence the true essence of Celebrating Africa With @Afrobloggers lies in the sovereignty it creates for African bloggers to reach a global audience. I was not alone in my AVI, I shared it with my fellow bloggers @MaFashio who also warrant recognition for their sartorial contributions to the Zambian fashion collective. As #GuestBlogger 12, I shared the little knowledge I have gathered from my experiences thus far and also learnt from others expeditions through exchanges. My blog is part of a whole, a Zambian fragment in the African collective transcending boarders and precincts. The disparate may not have the means to be physically present at ongoing events, or articulate their cause, my blog facilitates the assimilation of aesthetics and social issues on the local, continental and global panorama. The masses want to have a handle on the first Fashion For Brunch or Fashion Day Out in Zambia, on Olu Femi preaching the message of Pan Africanism in Lusaka, Fay Designs of Zambia going to Paris and such tales of inspiration. As such blogging should transcend our circumstances as Africans. Tyranny and anguish exists in the continents edifice, but we must also celebrate the astounding work and valiant efforts of the motherlands children in their various stages be it in fashion, music, gastronomy, literature or design, such is the charge of the blogger and cause Afrobloggers endorse and have been advancing since inception.  

Africa is spoken about like the continent moved or its peoples died, and yet we forget that the rest of the world has stood on the back of Africa that built pyramids and its resource from timber to precious stones and minerals which have been the amalgamation of industries and economies including the Land of The Free that was built for free and western industrialization. Africa, its peoples and an unparalleled heritage existed before the invention of computers, the internet, the mobile phone, and the automobile. These new phenomenon’s are mere extensions and novelties that amplify what has been in existence, ancient practices of aesthetics which are unique from traditional dress, sounds and rhythms, to the bantu languages and various dialects. As an African blogger my lot is to herald to the world what I have known to be true to the Nubian being I am. I have the megaphone to articulate a way of life that was known to me in the womb of the motherland. The fire of Zambian pride and indeed African pride is in my bones and cannot be extinguished, nor the indigenous narrative spring quenched. Thus a blog post is my contribution and reference for future generations told in the present of past events to be remembered in the future. Applause and gratitude Afrobloggers for pressing and articulating the agenda and chronicles of the current crop of African blog scribes and creative minds, who are using blogging as a podium to enhance and influence Africa’s common destiny. Africa can no longer run, Africa must fly.

“Different faces, common goals, one continent. - @Lily_beau_21

My nominees in no particular order

1.   bennyblow.blogspot.com by @Benny_blow

2.   inkonmycashmere.wordpress.com by @Fuchsiaristic

3.   mafashio.co.zm by @MaFashio

4.   manic.co.zm by @ikay2605

5.   techtrends.co.zm by @sandichimpala

6.   MissKundwe.com/iamazedblogger by @MissKundwe

7.   justlute.wordpress.com by @Lutekays

8.   missroxyboyd.blogspot.com by @MissRoxyBoyd

9.   sdrtv.com by @theholstarmusic

10. mwanabaafrika.blogspot.com by @whoops_c

Here are the Guidelines on how this award works:

1.  Once you are nominated, make a post titled CELEBRATING AFRICA WITH AFROBLOGGERS.

2.  Your post should share a brief on Afrobloggers and the work they are doing. Also thank and link the person who nominated you.

3.  Celebrate Africa in the way you feel is more appropriate and in line with your blog’s overall theme.

4.  Nominate 5-10 other bloggers who you feel are worthy of this award. Let them know you have nominated by commenting on one of their post. You can also nominate the person that nominated you.

5.  Ensure all of these bloggers are of African heritage.

6.  Lastly, COPY these rules in the post.