3 almost natural ways to celebrate Africa Day
Updated: Aug 6, 2022

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.