Over the past decade, the continent has lost a myriad of her greatest icons whose lives and philosophies shaped what we know as our motherland today – from Nelson Mandela, to astute diplomats like Kofi Annan, Pan Africanists like Kenneth Kaunda and controversial revolutionaries such as Robert Mugabe – the past ten years have seen the exit of personalities who dedicated their existence not just to Africa, but more importantly to making Africa excellent. They represent an era when there was a euphoria around unity in purpose across African borders, and collaboration was not a mere buzz word to enhance one’s digital presence, they represent an era where the dream that Africa was alive with possibility was palpable.
Where are we now? Who are the heroes we will celebrate decades from today in appreciation of the milestones they moved us through, and the landmark historical moments they poured themselves into? Many things have changed, whilst many things remain the same across the continent. Politics may have defined our development throughout colonialism and in the early post-colonial era, but today millennials and Gen Z’s are more likely to shun politics in favor of activism and idolize creative talent over governance or traditional career choices. Pan Africanism has evolved from being a socio-political concept to becoming a popular cultural identity. We are living in an Africa where one does not have to stand for a revolutionary manifesto or wear a suit and tie to work in order to be noticed, celebrated or deemed “very important”.
The Africa we live in today is one where the musicians and artists with the largest following can pull a bigger crowd than most presidential star rallies, where the best dressed are flown around the world for their ability to always look picture perfect, where the black man has taken over industries that generations of colonial strongholds did everything to bar him from entering – a season where being African has become so “cool” that even those repulsed by it are clamouring to associate because of the obvious benefits of being in a relationship with the world’s youngest continent by population and age demographic. While mother nature may have blessed us with a young population, nothing else has been freely given. Africans across all fields and industries have demanded their space and recognition by showing up in an outstanding way, by being excellent.
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I’m excited to take you through a journey that will explore and reveal faces, enterprises and communities whose grit and commitment to a self determined and self defined path has enabled them to carve themselves into the history of the African era where the world began to acknowledge that the so-called “Dark Continent” was in fact a global peer. This is a pilgrimage where we will allow ourselves to celebrate our own brilliance, and vehemently refuse to allow it to continue to wink in the dark. It is also an opportunity for us to allow ourselves to exist peacefully with the idea that excellence Is a normal standard in African culture, despite the popular narrative that makes the assumption that our people must be regal; kings and queens, in order to be valid. I look forward to normalizing excellence from the slums of Kenya where ballet has become a source of empowerment for the local youth, to black African winemakers whose brands are becoming staples at Michelin star restaurants across the world.
This African story will not only be studied in history books, but will appear in mainstream conversations about art, finance, science and technology. This can only be possible if we take the pen from the hunter, and begin to spotlight and document our own brilliance. It is such an honor to do my part to indelibly carve the essence of our people into the stories that will shape the world for generations to come. Welcome to the home of African Excellence, I look forward to hosting you as we sink our teeth into the best of Africa.
Vimbai Mutinhiri- Ekpenyong is a Pan African TV host and Executive Producer who established herself as a personality in African media after hosting shows such as Star Gist on Africa Magic, and the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Originally Zimbabwean, she has worked widely across the continent both in front of the camera and behind it.
