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People of Afrobloggers – A Visual Story

This post is for Day 3 of the Afrobloggers Winter Challenge.

Afrobloggers

One valuable concept I have read is that People buy People. The story of the People of Afrobloggers is testament to this on a personal level.

People buy people by Violeta Nedkova

My first interaction with Beaton was motivated by self-interest: I was hosting a listening session to launch an EP, Solemn Silhouette. I reached out to people on social media to attend my event. As it were, one of the people I invited was @Beatonm5. He was going to make an effort to attend.

Solemn Silhouette Listening Session

Unfortunately, he had a prior engagement and could not make it. For those that did, there was a dissonance between the event and the poetry. Sombre, reflective words to a vibrant, social audience.

My next interaction with Beaton was motivated by self-interest. Again.  You see, Beaton has a blog he writes called Becoming the Muse

Becoming the Muse blog

He was doing a competition to celebrate its 6th Anniversary. There was a prize to be won. A PRIZE!!! I did what was needed and I won J Do not say you cannot win things on the internet!

Twitter Giveaway Prize

After he had shown himself to be a man of honour, I had to return the favour. So, when I wanted to write about Winky D’s Bittersweet Ijipita Peak, I did that as a guest writer on Becoming the Muse.

Winky Ijipita Bittersweet Peak

A few weeks later, I attended a show at Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre in Harare.

People really like Vagina Monologues. It was, after all, a full house.

Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre

People

One of the people in attendance was none other than Beaton himself! He even wrote a review.

Beaton & Chipo Mawarire

We managed to speak after. About Vagina Monologues, about coffee, about cocktails at art events, about life, about currency, about value, about writing, about writer’s block, about authenticity, about obstacles, about being. As well the organization that he is affiliated with known as Afrobloggers.

Afrobloggers social media

I wanted more. More African voices, and stories, and experiences, and writers and perspectives. So, I invested in reading. Reading the many blogs from African storytellers, especially through the Afrobloggers Winter Challenge.

Afrobloggers ABC Winter Challenge

While my blog was being developed, I could not participate in the challenge as a writer. Valentine Writes was launched on the 1st of July 2020, a day after the challenge was concluded. But, I did participate as a reader, and that was immensely rewarding.

WinterABC2020 Afrobloggers

After the challenge was done, I was sure that I wanted to connect deeply and valuably with African content creators. In that respect, I was pleased to be a host on Share N Shine, an Afrobloggers Twitter takeover on Sunday the 19th of July 2020.

Valentine Share N Shine

People

That experience was so fulfilling, I had to do it again. So, the week of the 3rd of August 2020, I am taking over the Afrobloggers Instagram page. Including, a dedication to W.I.L.D.F.I.R.E

W.I.L.D.F.I.R.E.

People

Africa is full of struggle and strife, joy and jubilation, innovation and ingenuity, opportunity and challenges. These are as varied, unique and colourful as the continent is.

African voices

Afrobloggers

When that story is told, may it be by the people of Afrobloggers.

Beaton and Bruce of Afrobloggers

Valentine Makoni

I am a sapiosexual, who finds joy in being a prolific and unapologetic composer of WCW posts. I have little stamina for books, so poetry is my reading of choice. I am a hip-hop head, I stan hard for Kendrick Lamar, Eminem and Run the Jewels.

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