[Bonus.Zimbabwe..] Rewriting the Meaning of Africanism with Shelton Mpala

54Lights

WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY

In this episode of 54Lights modern-day Pan-Africanist Shelton Mpala speaks about his passion and the unique time we live in. The two unpack an African revival, of sorts, that is sweeping through the globe. Shelton was born and raised in Zimbabwe and describes himself as ‘just an African child’ who was lucky enough to be raised by three women, who taught him what love was; for others, himself and his country and culture. Shelton talks to Kondwani about what led him to create his Children of the Dark Continent project including the profound role of language and the evolving depictions of African culture across the globe. Shelton's mission, one borne of rewiring how people see the continent as a whole, is a refreshing and inviting perspective.

LEAN IN, LISTEN UP AND LEARN - OUR KEY TAKEAWAYS

"Africa has a multitude of different types of people. Whether you are Arabic, white, Chinese, Indian. There are so many ways in. And these were all born under the African sun."

When people are away from their birthplace, they can often lose their language. This was one of the reasons that drove Shelton to start Children of the Dark Continent.

Shelton was fed up with the negative depictions of Africa across the globe and has worked to change that through his work.

Opinions and perceptions around African culture have switched, there is a new energy around Africanism in recent times that is allowing diaspora through food, music and other cultural signposts.

Nigeria is one good example of a country that has been able to export its culture in a unique and dynamic way.

History is starting to be rewritten and in this narrative, what has been learnt previously about Africa is being corrected.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• 2:32 “Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever, it’s not going to be passed onto the next generation”
• 4:24 “There’s a new energy around Africanism”
• 7:16 “Africa does have a product that the world wants to see and learn more about”
• 13:19 “History is being rewritten and recorrected”
• 21:36 “Regardless of who you are, just be your authentic self as the world will always have an image of you”

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.facebook.com/childrenofthedarkcontinent/

FIND AND FOLLOW 54LIGHTS

Kondwani Mwase | Host & Creator

For most of my life, I have been obsessed with relationships. I have worked, watched and wondered about the complex nature of human interaction. Originally, my interest laid in the narrative…more specifically, I was driven to understand what was happening. Increasingly, my curiosity has been inspired by the underlying motivations behind events…why it happens. It is this curiosity that motivates me.

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crowd54/

Email guest referrals, comments and stories to [e-mail] (feedback welcome…complaints and hate, not so much)

54Lights is committed to illuminating the African experience...one story (beat) at a time.