Seun Kuti, the renowned Nigerian singer and son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti, took the opportunity to address prevalent misconceptions surrounding Pan-Africanism. During the session, Seun passionately shared insights into his father’s lifestyle, dispelling the notion that Pan-Africanists must lead lives of perpetual struggle and deprivation.
Seun emphasized that the idea suggesting that Pan-Africanism equates to a life of suffering is false, using Fela Anikulapo Kuti as a powerful example. He recounted instances where Fela, despite his commitment to the Pan-Africanist cause, indulged in the pleasures of life. One striking example Seun shared was how Fela’s personal assistant would fly from Lagos to London solely to bring back Fela’s favorite sweets and ice cream.
Seun Kuti challenged critics who questioned Fela’s identity as a Pan-Africanist due to his enjoyment of life, asking, “So that means Fela is stupid? He’s not a Pan Africanist because he liked to lick ice cream? The only thing he should lick because he’s a Pan Africanist is donkuwa and make him drink agbo, he must not enjoy the sweet cream of this life. Is that your idea of Pan Africanism?”
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