If /When we make our own money...

 If we created our own businesses as artists, creators, curators, writers, poets, storytellers, dancers, novelists, playwrights, actors, film-makers, beat boxers, designers and many of us in the arts industry, then we would not need to sit in a hotel and justify our needs to well-meaning individuals whose capacity is too limited to respond to all of our needs and desires.

Once again, and I am grateful for the work at Caribou Digital, run by Grace Natabaalo and Lulu Jemimah, two enthusiastic and intentional individuals whose research into the young creatives and digital technologies evoked a hearty and timely discussion on the progress and possibilities of arts and culture.

There is an unlimited number of ideas. The resources are abundant, as well. We need to combine those ideas and shape them into workable business, with sustainable long term plans, well-researched strategies and excellent financial management skills, all of which are learned with focus, good business habits and the right mentorship.

If even ten artists alone in Uganda formed a SACCO, their stories next year would be different. They would be able to purchase a van, make money from transportation and use that as investment back into their work, into studios, purchasing equipment and travelling on their own terms.

We are highly resourceful people. Our stories must change.

Our service does not become brighter when we ask for money. Our service becomes brighter when we make our own money and live life on our own terms, as artists are supposed to do. That is what art is about, to lead the way.

Bless!

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

A writer, poet, creator and educator

Literature is a Choice and Not a Dictatorship

 In my senior three, when we read 'The Concubine,' by Elechi Amadi, as part of the syllabus. my friend and I vowed that we would never read a book by an African author again, given that this one was too tragic to bear.

Without stating the obvious, I read about Ihuoma and I was like "You go girl and do your thing," and that was the point when the gap in my teeth, became my own crown jewel. And we know that being regal does not necessitate a crown.

During my first degree in Education, with Literature as one of my teaching subjects, we conducted extended studies on 'Things Fall Apart.' I made another declaration. There is no other greater book in the world, than 'Things Fall Apart.'

It inspired all the right activist emotions, primal taste for raw energy and drew us into lengthy discussions into cultural curations, cultural acceptances and the dichotomy of the real world that we lived.

Two decades after, I have met and read dozens more books by authors of African descent. At the 65th anniversary of its first publication, there is still so much more to discuss.

The evolving nature of fashion, the lives of idealists who want everyone to speak any language but English and the modern texture of teaching, watching children in school discussing every other author except Chinua Achebe, Ama Ata Aidoo and Elechi Amadi.

Are we okay with that? Yes, we have to become okay with it. I have earned that when we introduce these authors who still hold our fascination because of their boldness against the status quo, we must also listen to others as they speak of 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid,' because those texts speak to them, too.

I have learned that when I listen to other important discussions that vary from my own, I become a better person, I become more aware of what is important.

Literature is not a dictatorship. It is a choice.

I will celebrate the 65th anniversary of 'Things Fall Apart,' and I will also buy copies of 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid'. I will buy every novel that 'Jennifer Makumbi writes, while I will also pay for tickets for my children to watch Spiderman.

The world I live in. Literature is a choice and not a dictatorship.

Bless.

Bev

almost everything that you heard about Salvation, was a lie

 “Everything you have heard about salvation and about serving God, is a lie.”

That is not the first thing to tell a group of Christian youth, and yet I did.

It was on Tuesday 5 April 2022, when I spoke to a group of youth at Watoto, the energetic and Creative Clay Dance. As someone who used to dance at church a lot, and participate in drama, Sunday school and every Easter and Christmas production, also with experience working in Christian based organisations, I had a lot to say.

A few highlights:-

A lot of the things that you have heard about Salvation and serving God, is a lie. Most of us were introduced to God as an instructor with a set of rigorous rules to follow, and a punisher of those who strayed. It is only later, that I realised that I was serving man and not God. Jesus called His disciples to bear fruit and go out.

What we did instead, is that we would create small cliques, which eventually become occults and create a wall between us and anyone who is not like us, with our morally superior complex. Because of this, making friends with non-Christians was difficult, even though many were kind, hard-working and honest. I was taught that it was better to ignore the Christian who exhibited incompetence at work, was sexist and cruel-hearted. It took a lot of unlearning to discover that everything I had learned about Salvation was wrong.

Serving God.

If you perform in church, from one production to another, year in and year out and the only thing that changes is the costume and your position on the stage, you are not bearing fruit, you are just repositioning yourself as a seed. Seeds that are planted on infertile soil, do not grow. The problem is not the seed but the soil. I grew up in these spaces believing that all I needed was to perform more, in order to grow and receive blessings.

Each year, I received similar heartache and little or no growth in my life, except weight loss and increasing frustration.

The system is built that only a few grow, and the others, are taught to follow without question. That is not fellowship. It is called oppression.

You are told that God will bless you. You wait in fake humility, for the wind of blessings and yet the reality is, that the oppressor forced you to attend that session, at the cost of you nursing a sick relative, taking a job interview that would positively change your life, or even taking a much needed rest.

God gives wisdom to all, without finding fault. Instead of binding the demon of poverty, read proverbs and apply wisdom. God gives wisdom to all, not only those that bind demons. When non-Christians are successful, the fellowship will convince you that they stole. Why not set up a business and dominate, as a Christian? Learn the trade, use honest scales, invest. (It’s all in proverbs, and wisdom is for EVERYONE).

Many successful people I know, actually apply these principles and do not wait for demons to escape them. They look forward to working and making an impact on their communities. If the only thing you look forward to is the weekly binding demon day, there is a problem. Your mind is being controlled by untruths.

I admire church leaders who reflect on growth, entrepreneurship and leadership. Live in the truth. 

Most likely, almost everything you were taught about salvation was a huge lie.

Bless!

Bev