In July, I set out on a journey with 53 other contestants. An Africa storytelling journey that would see us all share, for the most part, very intimate parts of our lives. Many of us had shared these same stories with a few persons across various platforms. For some of us, it was the first time of letting people in on our lives. Besides the vulnerability involved in sharing our experiences, it was amazing to have different persons across various African countries come together and own their narratives.

 

If ever there was a rhetoric to be spread, it should stem from us. It did. It was fascinating to see, hear, and watch people unafraid to showcase the richness of their cultures, the complexities of their language, the quirkiness of their beliefs and the sheer eccentricity of their traditions, all summing up to a beautiful array of colours, a symphony.

 

Each stage saw us slowly reduce from fifty-four people to ten, to top three, and then to the one.

To have made it to the final round would have been impossible without your HELP. 🤗🤗

 

Starting with just a handful of people like my husband and other members of family who believed in me and my abilities, I later got a pat on the back from a larger number of persons. In a short while, I had friends of my family, friends of my friends, and then outright strangers cheering me on.

 

People bent their own rules for my sake, broke protocols to showcase me on their platforms. Some people with forgotten passwords reset their social media accounts just to support me.Lol.😄 Loved ones asked for favours from people, making requests that I know they ordinarily wouldn’t make.

I am graced and loved for sure. For how more can I explain the thousands of engagements that I had. Your views, likes, loves, comments, shares, and forwards culminated in my victory.

A good friend of mine is often quick to say that – who you become is more important than the award, rewards or accolades you get. Wise words right?!

So no, I did not come out as first in the competition. Yes, I made the final ten but I did not win the contest.

I won in many other ways.

So today, I am fuller, richer, better and more knowledgeable. I’ve made new friends, connects, collaborations both home and across our great continent.

 

I appreciate the Hadithi ya Africa team, organizers of Africa’s Ultimate Storyteller 🌹

I respect every single co-contestant. 👮

I celebrate MFALME AGWATTA a.k.a. Samson the winner of the Ultimate Storyteller Contest, 2021. 🥳

I applaud dear Oladunni, the first runner up. 👏

I salute Kendy, who came in 3rd place. 👍

The beauty of our lives truly lie in our stories.

I appreciate every resource that went into helping me – the gift of your platforms, your time, data, money, your heart and presence. 💯

Thank you again for your kind support and feedback. I know you did not have to but you did anyway and indeed I am grateful. 🤝

Do you have an inspiring story to share? Tell it unabashedly!

I am still all about positive vibes, about helping people to embrace and navigate change without losing their originality and authenticity.😎

THANK YOU. 🤗