Musings Archives - Mind of Malaka

What Learning To Fight Has Taught Me About Fighting

Posted on March 22, 2024
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

They say Ghana is a peaceful country because while Ghanaians will always raise their voices when provoked, they will never raise their fists. I always interpreted this to mean that unlike some of our other West African counterparts who are always spoiling for a good…

I Tried Going on a Friend Date. The Results Were Very 2023.

Posted on August 31, 2023
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

I love living in George. It's an old city fighting to find a new identity. What makes George such a popular place to settle and raise a family are the same reasons that the semi-nomadic Khoisan did so for thousands of years before European settlers…

Let Me Tell Y’all Why I Hate It When You Send Me Reels

Posted on August 16, 2023
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

Reels. If you’re on Instagram, you’ve seen them, shared them and even possibly made your fair share of them. Some people (like me) make Reels because they are a handy tool with simple templates for quick updates and storytelling. Other people plan and make Reels…

It’s Only Luxury For Me in 2023!

Posted on January 4, 2023
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

Happy new year, dearest Readers and Lurkers! I know I haven't been consistent with keeping up with Mind of Malaka in 2022 - and to be honest that's not likely to change in 2023 if the circumstances that kept me away from this beloved space…

What’s In A Name? An Update on My 3rd Great Grandfather, Nelson Dunn

Posted on December 2, 2022
by Malaka
with 1 Comment

It was a balmy night in Nairobi; one where the leaves rustled melodically in the gentle breeze and the stars peeked through the veil of cloud cover to wink at we mere mortals below. Our working group had convened to have a final dinner together…

Happiness Is Alchemy. These Are the Elements I Have Been Using to Construct It.

Posted on November 14, 2022
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

A friend of mine has created The Happy Company (THC), a lifestyle brand that is "founded on the agenda to spread happyness". They prefer to remain anonymous (if such a thing is possible anymore) so that people will associate with and support the agenda, rather…

We Did Not Appropriate Your English. It Was Whipped Into Us.

Posted on September 29, 2022
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

Mr. Tei loved to whip children. At least, that was the reputation he had earned on the primary school block when I arrived in 1986. Only ‘Brah’ Sammy came in at a close second with a love for attaching cane to tender Class 3 flesh.…

Sexting, Hook-Ups and Consent. Exploring Desire from a Pan-African Perspective

Posted on June 14, 2022
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

The good people at Ottar Magazine invited me to write an article about desire earlier this year. This article appears in Swedish, but if you're not up on your Nordic languages, I've got the English version for you here. @bougiefeminist, this post is just for…

The Trials of a Once Cheerful Giver

Posted on February 8, 2022
by Malaka
with 2 Comments

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;…

Soon Leaving Africa Voluntarily & Expeditiously: Part 2

Posted on February 3, 2022
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

This story continues from Part 1 “I am Captain McGinty. I will be responsible for your arrival to your various checkpoints within the Federation of Industrialized Nations - should you survive the journey. These two men are my associates: Mr. Wong and Mr. Jenkins. They…