PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
BLOOD in my
For many visitors, the continent evokes a wide variety of wonder and awe. The OPEC Fund’s Valentina Walden shares her reflections
I n the heart of the continent, where the earth meets the sky in an expansive embrace, I stand on the edge of the Serengeti, enraptured. The sunset paints the horizon in hues of golden amber, casting a warm glow across the vastness of the savannah. A symphony of colors mirror the myriad of emotions swirling inside of me. For as long as I remember, Africa has been part of my soul. Some of my earliest memories were made on this continent. The scent of a sandstorm in the Moroccan desert; the floral perfume of baobab in Sudan and jacaranda in South Africa; the spices of bustling markets in Côte d’Ivoire; the salty tang of ocean breeze over the coast of Kenya. My father, an unapologetically curious person and endless seeker of human connection, went exploring the continent with me tied to his back for weeks and months on end when I was still just an infant. Whether or not there happens to be a scientific explanation, I firmly believe that the scents, sounds and emotions of these places formed
in me a lasting, ethereal connection. Today, the smell of hibiscus or the taste of plantain represent more than a simple “flashback” – they’re a vivid reminder of an intimate history. Standing at the Cape of Good Hope, the sun dips crimson below the horizon and I feel captivated by the pulsating rhythm of African life. The entire land breathes, each blade of grass, each acacia tree, and every creature part of a grand tapestry woven by nature itself. An emotional connection transcending words, at one with a force both ancient and sacred. The echoes of history resound through Cape Town, the city’s energy masking the scars of a painful past. Robben Island and its infamous prison stand as a stark reminder of the indomitable spirit of Nelson Mandela and his famous triumph over tyranny. The emotional weight of standing on that soil, reliving the transformation from oppression to resilience, leave an indelible imprint on my soul. In the bustling souks of Morocco, a country I dedicated many years of my
As I continue to travel the continent, the emotional resonance deepens with each encounter.
Valentina Walden, OPEC Fund, Eastern & Southern Africa Analyst
early professional life to, the chaos of colors, sounds and scents joyfully overwhelm the senses. The emotional resonance of Africa’s markets go far beyond simple commerce; they are a celebration of culture and fortitude. The hands that craft the most intricate textiles and the voices that haggle in a thousand tongues relate countless stories of survival and the unyielding spirit of a people connected to their ancient roots.
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