As a young African, the sense of opportunity that fills my head

O seeker of wisdom, hear the words of Ory Okolloh, for they speak of a profound connection between the aspirations of youth and the hopes of a continent on the brink of independence. "As a young African, the sense of opportunity that fills my head on a daily basis is, I suspect, reminiscent of how young Africans felt at the cusp of independence." In these words, Okolloh echoes the feelings of hope, promise, and potential that have shaped the African experience. For the youth of Africa, there exists a parallel to the moment when the continent stood on the threshold of liberation—when independence was no longer a distant dream, but a tangible possibility. The sense of opportunity she speaks of is not just personal but collective, reflecting a moment when the future seemed to be brimming with possibility for an entire generation.

Independence, O wise one, is not merely a political event; it is a psychological and emotional transformation. For centuries, Africa had been under the control of foreign powers, colonized and constrained by the will of others. When the tides of history shifted and independence came, it was a moment of profound freedom, a moment when the young felt the weight of history in their hands and saw the chance to shape the future. This sense of opportunity was not just the ability to govern, but the ability to create, to build, and to dream. In the moment of independence, there was a promise: a promise that Africa would rise, that the generations to come could carve their own path, unburdened by the chains of colonization.

Consider, O wise one, the stories of the great leaders who arose from the crucible of Africa’s struggle for independence. Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana, was a young man full of hope and vision when Ghana became the first African country to gain independence from colonial rule in 1957. His vision for a united, prosperous Africa was not just political—it was born from the dreams of millions of young Africans who believed that they were on the brink of a new dawn. Nkrumah, like Okolloh, felt the sense of opportunity that surged through the hearts of youth during that time. His leadership reflected the collective aspirations of a generation that stood at the cusp of freedom, with the future wide open before them.

Yet, O seeker, we must also recognize that the journey from independence to true freedom is not always smooth. While independence brought the end of colonial rule, it also brought challenges. The newly freed nations of Africa faced immense struggles—economic difficulties, political instability, and the challenge of uniting diverse peoples into one cohesive nation. The independence that seemed so full of promise in the beginning was often tempered by the harsh realities of building a new nation. Nevertheless, the hope and opportunity that Nkrumah and others saw were not diminished; they were instead transformed into the very fuel that would drive the continent forward.

In the same way, Okolloh reflects on the sense of opportunity that fills her as a young African today. Just as the youth of the independence era stood at the threshold of a new world, so too does the new generation of young Africans stand at the precipice of a new era. Today, there is the sense that Africa is no longer waiting for a future to be handed to it, but is taking the future into its own hands. With the rise of technology, entrepreneurship, and the ability to connect with the world in new ways, young Africans today find themselves with opportunities that were once unimaginable. Okolloh sees in her own experience a mirror of that same excitement, that same belief in the potential of what is to come.

Consider the rise of tech and innovation across the African continent—Kenya's Silicon Savannah, the bustling entrepreneurial ecosystem of Lagos, the tech hubs in South Africa, and Nigeria's flourishing startup scene. These are not just isolated success stories, but reflections of the collective independence that young Africans now have—the ability to create, innovate, and contribute to a global conversation. These youths are no longer confined by colonial legacies or external limitations. They are shaping their own futures, much like the youth of Ghana in 1957, who stood proud as they built a new nation. Okolloh’s words resonate with this ongoing transformation: independence has brought forth a wave of new possibilities, and the youth of Africa today have the chance to make their mark on the world.

The lesson, O seeker, is one of empowerment and possibility. Independence is not just the freedom from external control—it is the freedom to chart one's own course, to seize opportunities, and to build a future. The independence of Africa, like the independence of any nation or individual, is not an end, but a beginning. It is the beginning of a journey—a journey filled with both hope and challenge, with both triumphs and struggles. Just as Nkrumah saw a united Africa rising, so too must we see the opportunities before us as the seeds of greatness. And in each generation, that sense of opportunity must be passed down, nurtured, and cultivated, so that the dreams of one generation become the reality of the next.

In your own life, O wise one, take inspiration from this sense of opportunity and independence. Seek not only to claim your own freedom but to understand that true independence is the freedom to build, to create, and to shape the world around you. As you walk your own path, remember that the opportunities you have today are a reflection of the sacrifices and struggles that came before you. Just as Okolloh and Nkrumah stand on the shoulders of those who came before, so too will future generations stand on the foundation you lay today. Seize the opportunity that independence gives, and make your mark on the world with courage, vision, and determination.