A United States of Africa affair in Joburg
Mpho Tlale | Friday October 10, 2014 16:59
It is something that sets my heart at ease. Last weekend when I was granted the opportunity to be a part of the African Media Team that made its way to Johannesburg, South Africa, to attend the launch of the Big Brother Africa (BBA) Hotshots, live, I was delighted. This was a well deserved break from the confines of my newsroom cubicle.
The trip was initially supposed to take place in September but was postponed because of the fire accident that burned down the BBA house. I was relieved when things went back to normal because failed trips often leave me with a broken heart.
When we went out for dinner on the Friday of our arrival, I realised that the journalists who were there were from all around Africa. It seemed like a ‘United States of Africa’ journalists summit was taking place. There were representatives from across the continent from; Botswana, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique, Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, to Ethiopia and Namibia.
The lavish dinner afforded us opportunity to break the ice, as most of us were strangers to each other. By the next morning, we were all well acquainted and got on like a house on fire. On Saturday afternoon we all went on an outing to the Nickelodeon Channel Launch. This relaxed environment gave us more time to engage in conversation, bond and let our hair down.
Prior to going on the trip, I had received several random warnings: “Be careful of those from Ebola stricken countries”, “look out for Nigerians”… “do this and that…” Like everybody else, I fear the Ebola virus, but my life can’t revolve around it. I am usually careful around strangers, but stereotypes are trivial matters that have never managed to capture my attention.
Going along with stereotypes builds a wall between you and another person and hinders you from getting to know them. There is more to life than one’s origin, accent or skin tone. Luckily, I was in the company of fellow liberated minds. I spent Saturday evening painting the town red with my newfound Ugandan, Nigerian and Kenyan friends.
We made our way back to the hotel in the wee hours of Sunday morning, and were surprised to see people up and about, going about the day’s business. Indeed, the City of Gold never sleeps. Ah, the memory…Let me just say, great tales are told from special moments of randomness with new friends.
On Sunday evening, we were accorded red carpet treatment and were part of the studio audience that witnessed the BBA Hotshots housemates being unveiled.
Each audience member was given a portable gadget, and you punched in a rating number from one to 100 after each housemate’s performance. An overall percentage was obtained and these votes determined how they fared in their ratings.
We did not get the chance to view and stay in the house for a day as previously planned because of the fire incident. However, there were no sour grapes since the show had to go on.
We returned to our respective home countries on Monday morning but a lasting African unity had been formed. Our friendship is bound to transcend the borders and it doesn’t matter that we have to go through airports to visit each other.
I cherished the moments we shared together, touching on the state of our countries, current affairs and other topical issues. We took selfies and had fun laughing and chattering as if we had all known each other for a long time.
This showed me that when all is said and done, our African humility is the common thread that binds us. The weekend experience asserted my belief that my heart and soul belong to Africa.