In memory of Vanessa Yasintha Wambura (August 2003 – August 2023).

Since I was born in Canada, Canada is considered my motherland. And since my parents were born in Africa (Tanzania!), to me Africa is my second motherland. Africa is close to my heart and that’s why I’m about to tell you all the beauties and uniqueness and some challenges of mother Africa.  Africa is a continent not a country! It is the second largest continent in the world and it has about 54 countries, the newest one is South Sudan. Mother Africa is really beautiful naturally. From Tunisia the Northern tip of Africa to the bordering Island of Madagascar to fascinating Tanzania which is on the Eastern part on the continent. From the west to south, Africa is surrounded by Atlantic Ocean to the eastern coast by the Indian Ocean and some seas surround the northern borders.

Now, I know that Africa does not really have good reports on the news or the internet and that all you only see are the poor countries there.  And the poor children with little food and water also families with little shelter and not many clothing.  But those who really get to know the true beauty of Africa are in awe.  I visited Tanzania with my family a while ago and cannot wait to go back as I enjoyed my experience and everything else about Africa.

In Africa there are a lot of beautiful attractions, such as Mount Kilimanjaro which is the second largest after Mount Everest. This mountain is in Tanzania. I remember during our trip to Tanzania, we had 1/2hr layover in Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) and I was happy to eyewitness the view of the mountain while at the airport. This mountain attracts many tourists from around the world. Other African attractions includes: Pyramid of Giza, Victoria Falls, Sun Resort, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, Blyde River Canyon, Cape Winelands,  Victoria and Alfred Water Front, Knysna,  Durban Beaches, Amphitheater, Drakensberg, Table Mountain, Kruger National Park and so much more! All of these attractions are scattered around the lovely Africa.

Africa is big and hot or as the native people of Tanzania say in their language: Moto moto au Joto. In Africa there are two main seasons, the Wet Season and the Dry season.

The Wet Season: The Wet Season is really nice and rainy. The agriculture is amazing during this time. All the animals are now back and eating the crops from unexpected farmers or drinking water cautiously, hoping that they won’t become prey soon. Vegetables, fruits and plants have started to bloom and rain is falling in every direction. Heavy rain or spit may fall depending on the climate, temperature and region. Most African countries rely on agriculture so this is their favourite season.

The Dry Season: the Dry season in Africa last from early October to March. It’s a yearly period of low rainfall in most tropical parts. During dry season it’s mainly sunny and also really hot (Joto).  The dry season leaves it’s mark by, some watering holes, rivers, oceans and lakes drying up completely or if not spared, low humidity and bad agriculture. If the dry season is particularly bad, animals such as, rhinos, lions, cheetahs, hippos, elephants, giraffes, hyena, gazelle, hedgehog, zebra, vervet monkey and other animals migrate. The crops and plants are all dying or aren’t growing. For those countries with some poverty, wells and lakes are all dried up leaving them without water and even the vegetables and food that usually grow in gardens.

Although Africa is beautiful, it has its Pros. There are some big deals there. First of all there is not proper education in some countries. Kids are enrolled in school, but few really get the proper education. Schools are far away from homes and it’s often a two hour walk from home to school. The economy in Africa is poor too.

Also health is very poor in some parts of the countries. Many diseases are spreading from one town to another. A recently disease that many are familiar with is Ebola. A common disease, that first appeared near the Ebola River, which is where it got its name. It takes a long time to heal when Ebola has unfortunately hit someone. They are taken in to a small clinic where they are treated by doctors in masks and are surrounded by others affected by the monstrous disease. Currently there’s no cure to the affected. God bless them all!!

Another plague known to many is malaria, a disease carried by mosquitoes. Malaria can be prevented by wearing bug spray, long clothing and by using mosquito nets. When we travelled to Tanzania we had to take anti-malaria medication.

Although Africa has issues and downfalls as mainly portrayed in the media, it is a very nice continent. I wish I could visit more countries in Africa to explore and see the nature and beauty of Africa.  I ate new foods such soft banana and sweet potatoes in Bukoba when we visited grandma and I remember a beautiful place with a big farm with banana plants, coffee, fruits trees, sugar cane, and even she has chicken and pigs farm. Every day once we were hungry we’d chop down a nice ripe mango, or a yummy sugar cane. We also stayed in Dar es Salaam and visited dad’s aunt in Musoma. She has lots of cattle and she would milk cows herself in a bucket full of milk. I really enjoyed seeing the natural farming and lots of greenish surrounding many places.

I remember many things. Including running around and playing outdoors with my cousins and other watoto teaching us some Swahili. And although I don’t really know many Swahili words which is commonly spoken in Tanzania,  I want to say that no matter what we see on TV or the internet Mother Africa is beautiful, it’s our home, Mother Africa; home sweet home which in Swahili translate to Nyumbani kutamu Nyumbani.

Asante! Thank you!

What do you think about Africa?

Venessa Wambura