Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sunny Green Itodo
Published on 2024-01-26 07:37:10
Seun Kuti, the Grammy-nominated singer and son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, recently shared an interesting insight into his father’s lifestyle. In an Instagram video message, Kuti emphasized that being a pan-Africanist does not mean one has to endure suffering.
He debunked the myth that being a pan-Africanist equates to hardship by revealing Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s penchant for indulging in luxuries. Kuti disclosed that his father would send his personal assistant, Femi Bankole Osula (also known as ‘Femi Photo’ due to his role as Fela’s photographer), all the way to London to purchase ice cream and his favorite sweet treat. The PA would depart from Lagos at 10 am and arrive in London by 3 pm just to retrieve Fela’s favorite sweet from Bond Street. He would then return to Lagos the following morning with the sweet and ice cream.
Seun Kuti used this anecdote to challenge the notion that enjoying life’s pleasures is incompatible with holding pan-Africanist beliefs. He stressed that Fela’s love for ice cream did not diminish his commitment to the African cause. Kuti emphasized, “You must not enjoy the sweet creams of this life, is that your idea of pan-Africanist? ‘I’m not African because I was born in Africa, I’m African because Africa was born in me.’ It means that for those little pressures that you want to get, you must never betray or sabotage your own people. I will never destroy Africa just because I want luxury.”
By sharing this personal story, Kuti aimed to challenge the stereotype that pan-Africanists must face hardship and deprivation. Instead, he argued that embracing African identity does not preclude enjoying the comforts and pleasures of life. Kuti’s message resonated with his fans and followers, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to be a pan-Africanist.
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