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Why is the division between Africans and African Americans? Part 5Â Â by Mabi Conti
“You can bend a knee, but not a heart”
I have preached to my friend since 1994 that she should please visit Africa at least once, and I promised her, that her life will forever change if she ever visit Africa.
This is a note she wrote me about her trip to Africa in December 2006 and I just want you to read her views about Africa. This was a visit to one country, can you imagine if she had the opportunity to travel all 52 countries? Here is her note of thanks, to Africa.
I want to share my recent experience of South Africa.
I was in South Africa last month (Dec. 2006) and it was exactly like Tyler Perry described. It is the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life. Very spiritual, and it is true for me as well, that every person I encountered touch my life in some special way. I have not met Mr. Mandela yet, but that is one of my dreams, so I expect it to happen. ;-) I visited the Kopanangs Women's Group, which is a group of women from shantytowns who learned embroidery and made hanging tapestries for Oprah's new school.
We went to Johannesburg, and visited one of the Soweto townships (shacks). I walked thru the township, talked with some of the people, and could not hold back the tears. I broke down. I could not believe what was I was seeing was real, in 2006. The repercussions of Apartheid are devastating.
And the children, the beautiful children who have so much hope, oh my, they touched my soul. They shared with me their dreams of being pilots and fire fighters, etc. when they grow up. They are so full of hope even in the midst of extreme poverty and an aids epidemic. I love the children of South Africa. You can feel their spirit, all of them. I wanted to take them all home with me.
I visited the Hector Pieterson museum, and got a real education on the struggle of South Africa and the apartheid. I was overwhelmed. I couldn't stop crying. They had to come and get me out of the museum. I had no idea of what was really going on with apartheid, and that all of this had been going on during my own lifetime, and the US supported it.
On a lighter note, I went on an African Safari. AMAZING! There is something very spiritual about Africa, even in the animals. We were in a jeep, and drove up on a herd of elephants just a few feet away from us. The presence of the animals and their intelligence made you have respect for them. We saw a very tall Giraffe with those long lashes, glaring at us from behind a tree. She was beautiful. A rhinoceros that didn’t like us in his territory obviously charged us. I thought he was going to stab one of us with his horn. He stopped just in time. Whew!
We saw lions, wilder beast, monkeys, deer, zebras, you name it. The plains of Africa are huge, majestic and beautiful.
We took a flight to Cape Town and visited Robben Island and saw Mandela's old prison cell. The things that went on in that prison, I don't even know how the mind can conceive of such things. Former prisoners and former prison guards now take people on tours of the prison, so a lot of what you hear is from first hand experience.
Ruben Island is a 45 min. ferry ride from Cape Town. While cruising to the island, I saw a whale splashing in the ocean, and when we returned, we were greeted by seals.
I then took a drive from Cape Town to a place called Cape Point. Cape Point is at the very southern tip of the African continent. It is the place where the Atlantic and Indian Ocean meet.
Guess what I saw? Penguins!!! They were too cute. Penguins playing in the sand, splashing in the water, amazing! They are called African Penguins and they are warm weather birds. Many people do not know that there are warm weather Penguins.
The drive down to Cape Point is the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life and has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth.
It was a 45 min drive around huge majestic mountains, overlooking turquoise waters. It was so beautiful it was a spiritual experience. To stand on a mountain silently watching a huge orange ball melting into a turquoise sea.... A Breathless Sunset!
The trip was incredibly educational, the land is beautiful, and the people are passionate, sincere and humble. I must go back. I must! And I truly believe that every black person in American needs to take a trip to Africa.
I have such a better understanding of everything after that experience. I even understood my own mother better. I understand the need for us to use the talents and abilities we've been given or skills we've learned. I see the need for every person to have the courage to be the genuine, authentic splendor that God created each of us to be.
My life is forever changed by this trip. I cried often while I was there because I was so overwhelmed. It surpassed my Mediterranean Sea cruise, it surpassed my hang gliding in Rio, Brazil, I'm telling you, nothing in my life compared to this experience.
God's presence was truly felt there. My entire trip "personally" was a spiritual experience.
I took over 1,000 pictures. When I get them downloaded, I will share. Some experiences expand the mind, this experience expanded the soul!
From my heart,
Thank you for reading my article, click: The Works for a FREE POSTER!!!!!!!
About the Author
Mabi Conti, a seasoned lecturer that has appeared on television and radio discussing issues ranging from business to diversity. I about to publish a book on Race Relations, title: Africans In America, Hear Our Stories.
Since 1985, Mabi Conti has positioned himself as the bridge between the perceived and the realities of understanding people, race, culture and doing international business.
Mabi Conti is a marketing guru with a mind of a strategist, a great affinity for reading and writing. Take advantage of my talents and let me watch you grow.
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