Question: Corporate Afrika

Tonight I performed some spoken word at a networking event organised by Corporate Afrika. Their theme for the event was creativity, hence me being booked to perform – just to break up the night a little.

I only had a short amount of time in which to share so I chose one of my favourite pieces that I know really well. The second piece was something that I wrote on the train journey to the venue. Yes; on. the. train. journey to the venue!

This risky move was a combination of boldness and stupidity on my part but I often get inspired when in transit so I capitalised on it and voila! The risk paid off – thank God. One man even came to find me at the end so I could repeat some lines that resonated with him so that he could create a poster! I found the gesture so humbling and his enthusiam for my words made my evening.

In short, it was a great night and I met some interesting people. So, I thought I would share the aforementioned piece that I wrote on the train with all of you!

P.S. I don’t have ‘proper’ outfit photographs but I took a selfie before leaving my apartment so that will have to do.

Question

He asked me:
“Do they have clean water where you come from?”
To which I replied,
“Do they have books where you come from and if so,
why didn’t anybody teach you how to read?”
But then I remembered that knowledge and
common sense are fraternal twins
So I decided to give him a brief education 1.
Where I come from, manners mean something –
you should think before you speak 2.
Where I come from, Heritage, is more than a shop
to buy contrived cultural gifts in, and more
than awkward conversations at the funerals of
strangers we share DNA with 3.
Where I come from, we hear you say
that Africans are weeping but the clouds
cry more on your land than they do on ours 4.
We are some of the happiest people on earth,
despite colonisation, limiting beliefs,
marginalisation and corruption,
our mothers give birth to leaders 5.
Where I come from, is home to some of
the smartest, richest, most resilient
and fearless individuals you will ever have
the pleasure of calling your friends,
employees, neighbours or your boss 6.
We are not all thirsty, with flies for friends,
But we certainly are hungry.
Hungry for knowledge and possibility,
for wisdom and the chance to leave a legacy
We eat opportunities for breakfast,
devour stereotypes for lunch
then excrete accolades because we gorge on success.

Can you believe that he asked me:
if they have clean water where I come from?

© Assumpta Ozua 2015