Being proud of your African-ness is essential

THOSE who do not know about Africa Day and its significance should not be seen as ignorant as the current educational curriculum excludes African history.

This is the view of historian Professor Jabu Maphalala, who spoke to the Sunday Tribune about Africa Day which is celebrated annually on May 25, the day the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was formed in 1963.

The OAU became the African Union in 2012.

Maphalala says many people do not know the history of Africa because the education system is still focused on European history.

“You don’t find history of black people because when they were liberated they did not review the syllabus. They don’t see African history as important,” says Maphalala.

“Even with decolonisation, it’s just a term they are using when protesting. You don’t only talk but you must implement things.”

Being true to who you are as African is not determined by having natural hair and how you dress, says Maphalala.

“Those who say so are shallow. Some indigenous Africans have long hair, while others have kinky hair.

“We can only object if there is a massive change like injecting yourself so that you look like a white person, not based on how you dress up and your hairstyle.

“Civilisation was started by African people and the Europeans improved and developed civilisation,” says Maphalala.

Writer and storyteller Gcina Hlophe dismissed the notion that women who wear wigs and weaves are un-african and says being African is not defined by natural beauty.

“It’s good to have your own natural beauty, but that is not the only thing that describes an African.

“I think also being an African doesn’t mean being clumsy and untidy with one’s appearance,” said Hlophe.

“You can have your natural hair, wear beads, African attire but be representative.

“Our parents were poor and didn’t have money, but they believed in being proud of who you are. That’s why we have praise names, because it’s who we are and where we come from,” says Hlophe.

She said that she loved Africa for its resilience in any situation.

“An African is an indigenous person of this continent. Some people are Africans by coming to this continent. You will never be Japanese, you will never be European, you will never be accepted as such,” she said.

Africans have a positivity about them, where they smile when they should cry and remain hopeful even in despair, Hlophe says.

“It’s like resilience was born in Africa. What we need to add to all of that is love and believing in one another,” she says.