by Philips Chidumebi

 

Life is for the strong, perhaps a very cliché phrase, yet it is definitely the truth. As kids growing up, there were shields to certain realities. We did not have to see so much, or know so much. The expectations were slim, we didn’t have to be so much. These days, there is a lot to see, the harshness of the terrain, the struggle that must go on, hearts that must be strong, and must never slumber. This is the reality of life. Your reality and mine.

Beyond these realities, we are free to dream, to aspire. To harness the ideas that flood our heads, mostly always vivid. Perhaps they show us possibilities, in the form of imaginations, and when we are able to attain these desires, they certainly influence our outcomes for good. I think these imaginations that come to our minds are paintings, they draw themselves everywhere in our heads, and we see them all the time. What remains is to translate these paintings to real life. To make them visible to everyone, to make them hang in their fullness; to give form to all the ideas.

We cannot rule out hard work, we cannot talk about smooth paths, and warm experiences only. There will always be a bit of everything, and emotions will be tested, and what eventually paves the way is the resilience we bring to the table. Personally, I remember having so much desires as a young boy, I wanted to be anything, wanted to do the impossible and I never for once doubted myself. So there was the stainless spoon for a microphone, and stuffed socks for a soccer ball. These ideas were always with me, and as I grew up, I noticed how I let go of most of these things, as I curled around my main interests and desires. I miss those days, when we didn’t have to be so objective and realistic, there was the fluidity to our thoughts that made us believe anything was obtainable. If we can try to relish these desires, half as much as we did as children, and bind it with hard work, anything becomes possible.

I want to limit this piece to the African terrain, and build this piece around the African youth. I believe the African youth has the ultimate role to play in the preservation and growth of the continent. It is like a typical relay race, where batons are handed over, and single strengths do not do much. The race is also about trust and the efficiency to carry on, and somewhere in this chain cycle, the African boy and girl becomes very important. When you put into consideration the issues the average youth faces in these parts, you are bound to be alarmed. With hunger and starvation free flowing it is hard to own your dreams. With the slow industrial development, insecurity, poor economic growth and corruption- a dream in Africa almost costs a truck load of diamonds.

Yet we must keep close our individual aspirations, it is how we have a collective unit of people that have what it takes to make a difference. Wanting to initiate any level of change requires substance, having something to offer. Remember, life is for the strong, and Africa is for the strongest, so we have to cushion our expectations with diligence.

I like to see dreams as little butterflies that only have to flutter, for their colors to be appreciated, their little flaps will always give them their balance even when the wind blows through. The African youth has to realize that we are not minors anymore, we can dare to dream like we did when we were kids, with the wide space that is not hindered by present circumstances, and we must use the African struggle for our motivation. Wherever you are on the continent, East, West, North or South, Kenya or Nigeria, Tanzania or Algeria, we can begin to flap our wings in the storms and harsh winds the continent is faced with, and when we all begin to find our balance, the continent is directly affected.

People always ask me what my African dream is, and it is something I love to share wherever I go. I dream of peace, which is the first thing I believe the continent needs. Lasting peace will serve as a buffer, giving the continent the consistency and stability to grow. I also dream of a continent where hunger is no longer a thing, where no child has to starve, and also a continent that has opportunities for everyone to learn and grow, with poverty losing its grip for good. These dreams are very realistic, and can be brought to life. Just like the illustration I shared earlier about our thoughts being like paintings, this is one of those thoughts that should get its form. Together, seeing Africa as ours, we can breathe life through the continent and see the Africa of our dreams come alive.

So to every African youth reading this, it is perfect for you to dream, to wish yourself very great things. To place ideas in your head, to dare to believe in your dear continent, despite how bleak things seem. While the bullets fly through, and pockets go empty, while hunger pervades and the hardship peels in, we can keep our dreams alive, and constantly think of ways to make them fly.

Finally, reflecting on where we have come from as a continent, the cruelty we faced during the slave trade era, the wars and conflicts we have been through, the sufferings we have endured, it is notable and fair to say that we are very strong people. We only have to come together to paint this master piece called Africa, and greatness will become our only reality.

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Op–ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija

Philips Chidumebi is a Writer, Poet and Activist. His IG handle is @therealdumebi