The month of May is observed as Africa month and Africa day is celebrated on the 25th of the month. Just like yesterday we celebrated Africa day under lockdown for the first time.
Soshanguve Pulse took to the streets of Soshanguve to find out what it means to be African from the people.
Miss Maria Chauke, a street vendor, said being African to her means having her freedom to sell and not forgetting her roots.
“I can sell at any corner, our way of life is simple. I have not forgotten my roots, although some people have forgotten. I have my African name that reminds me who I am, I know sometimes I have to perform some rituals just to keep my being. We have to celebrate our culture for it defines who we are,” said Miss Chauke.
Some people feel like a month is not enough to celebrate being African as a result we should celebrate being African at all times as Mr Tommy Mabasa said in his opinion.
“As we are celebrating Africa month, it is not enough, why should it not be celebrated all year long. Our languages are neglected, why we cannot celebrate our indigenous languages. Africans are brainwashed, we no longer value our customs and traditions,” said Mr Mabasa.
Mr Zakhele Masilela, said we need to be independent as a continent because as for now we are dependent on European systems.
“I believe Africans should own resources of their own continent because now they are taken by the Western World. As Africans, we suffer because of a system that was launched way before we were even born. If we had our resources, then I believe we would have something to celebrate,” said Mr Masilela.
Another resident, Mr Kabelo Kekana, said there is no unity in our country, we need to work together and that is holding us back as a country.
“As Africans, we are divided to a point where our fellow African brothers and sisters are called foreigners while they are in the same continent just divided by borders. I will celebrate Africa day once we are all united under the same President, for now, I will not celebrate because we have nothing as Africans,” said Mr Kekana.
