3 almost natural ways to celebrate Africa Day

This interesting article about Africa Day 2022 got me thinking about the continent we call home.

Africa Day is celebrated mostly on 25th May, to celebrate the founding in 1963 of The Organization of African Unity (OAU). The goal was to free Africa from apartheid and colonialism.

Now called the African Union, (AU) it comprises 55 states, and aims to "promote Africa's growth and economic development by championing citizen inclusion and increased cooperation".

Here are 3 ways to celebrate Africa Day:

Learn something new about Africa

Google Arts and Culture have created this beautiful and vibey presentation.

Listen to African Music

This wonderful article by Dan Farratt will give you a taste of some famous South African musicians. 15 Of The Greatest And Most Famous South African Musicians

One of my favourite songs is My African Dream, which has been performed by many artists, here by the late great Johnny Clegg.

Something broke the place where the rain is born

Something stole the promise from the light of dawn

People, people were everywhere struggling to get their share

Honest cruelty in the eyes of the innocent

Squeezing one more harvest from this tired earth

They call to you, but the wind just blows away their words

Didn't believe in miracles, didn't believe you'd come

Didn't see any reason to carry on

Chorus:

But in my African Dream, you touched my face

Raised up my children and gave them grace

In my African Dream you wiped away my tears

And whispered the promise of a thousand years

Children with eyes like souls ready to fly

Looking at me -- for some kind of sacred sign

Who will teach the young, the names of the ancient ones

Who will tell them from whence they come

I have no answer, don't even have a prayer

All I can do is close my eyes and hope that you will be there

In my African Dream, you blessed the rain

Let me stand proud, eased the pain,

You raised me up,

Gave me love, filled my cup.Old man sits in the shade of the thorn tree

He says "these thorns are all that are true

Life is suffering, suffering is life,

Be happy with the small things that come to you

They will come to you, come to you. "

Chorus

Try a traditional African dish

10 most popular African Vegetable dishes are in this article https://www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-vegetable-dishes-in-africa

Spinach is a wonderful vegetable to grow for self-sufficiency. It grows easily and doesn't seem to attract baboons. Horses love it so keep it out of their way.

Here is a tried and tested almost natural, vegan friendly family recipe for African Vegetable Stew:

30ml olive oil

2 medium onions, cut into sixths and separated into leaves

1 whole green or red chilli, finely sliced

3-4 cloves garlic, crushed

1 bunch spinach, ribs separated from green leaf

250ml chickpeas, cooked or red kidney beans, cooked

125ml raisins

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

410g can whole tomatoes

salt and freshly ground black pepper

125ml raw brown rice

Tabasco sauce to taste

Method

• warm the oil gently and saute the onion chilli, garlic and the sliced white stems of the spinach for 5 to 10 minutes

• add the chopped spinach leaves and saute a further 5 minutes

• add the chickpeas or beans, the raisins, sweet potatoes and tomatoes

• season to taste with salt and black pepper

• make a well in the centre of the mixture and add the rice

• pat it down until it becomes moistened - adding 30ml water if necessary

• cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook over very low heat until the rice is tender (approx 45 minutes)

• check the mixture regularly, ensuring it does not sick. Add a little water if necessary (the mixture should be fairly dry)

• season the rice and serve with Tobasco sauce.

This recipe can be frozen.