Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s son, Grammy-nominated artist Seun Kuti, has disclosed that the late music icon used to send his personal assistant to London to buy ice cream and his favourite candy for him.
Read Also: Timi Dakolo clarifies that he is not gospel artist
He revealed this to his followers in an Instagram video message, explaining that being a pan-Africanist does not always entail hardship.
“Anyone who tells you that being a pan-Africanist means suffering is lying,” declared Kuti. Is Fela Anikulapo-Kuti a liar as well? Are you happier than Fela?
“Fela used to have his PA travel to London to purchase his favourite candy and ice cream for him. The PA would travel from Lagos at 10 a.m. to London at 3 p.m.
To purchase Fela’s preferred candy, he had to travel to Bond Street. The PA was Femi Bankole Osula, but since he was also Fela’s photographer, we referred to him as “Femi Photo.”
The following morning, he will travel to Lagos carrying the dessert and ice cream. Does the fact that Fela enjoys eating ice cream mean he is not a pan-Africanist?
Is it your understanding of pan-Africanism that you cannot savour the pleasant treats of this life? “I am African because Africa was born in me, not because I was born in Africa.” It implies that you should never betray or undermine your own people in order to gain the small pressures you desire. I promise not to destroy Africa merely because I want to luxury.”
