Kuhubha nzila hu gumana nzila. (Sukuma)

Kukosea njia ndiyo kujua njia. (Swahili)
Perdre le chemin, c’est trouver le chemin. (French)
To lose the way is to find the way.  (English)

This important Sukuma proverb encourages one not to give up in life; rather, one should be strong enough to realise their dreams and goals despite difficulties. It reminds one that trials and errors are parts of us; the winner is the one who refuses to give up in the face of failure, but stands up from the losses, learns from the setback and continues the arduous journey until they reach their destination. 

Mistakes are inevitable in our lives; hence as mortals, the focus should be less on our mistakes and more on what we have learnt from them. Life is the daily lesson that points to the right path through the hazardous journey of life if we learn from it. In the process of embarking on our life journey, we may encounter obstacles and lose our ways; those threats demand that one studiously look back to the trip's genesis and situation and learn why and where they have missed the way. The discovery of the lost path is necessary towards positive actualisation and creativity in life.  

Self-discovery is the necessary mirror to self-fulfilment; through awareness, we can reflect on past mistakes and make amendments to avoid a repetition of the past. 

We are where we are today due to our persistence and refusal to give up. Today, we have found our way and meticulously transformed our environment through science and technology, making agricultural and scientific developments part of us. Hence, ships, cars, motorcycles, bicycles and aeroplanes, new inventions and so on are our everyday reality. We must be proud of our development despite ongoing trials and errors.

For decades, Africa has lost its way and is yet to find the right direction; hence Africans are still ruled by the same bunch of recycled sit-tight autocrats who are primarily allergic to constructive criticism and political changes. These leaders hate changes, especially positive ones, that will impact the lives of citizens. To come to power by our leaders should be synonymous with the Baptism that may lead from a life of uncertainty to productivity and usefulness, the authentic way to the eternal life of the citizens. That ascension may be a unique opportunity and chance to correct our previous ills and enjoy a happy, fulfilling future.

Our leaders and the citizens have yet to learn from the past. 

We lost the way but failed woefully to find the way. 

Indeed to lose the way is to find the way, but the question is: How have Africans made this proverb applicable in their social and political lives, aimed at bringing positive changes? Not much; otherwise, the continent would be home to retrogressive, visionless leaders who are more interested in their gains than the welfare of their citizens. We want to blame our leaders for our woes, but one may ask: Who elects those leaders that made our lives miserable? That is the ugly question begging for an answer. Your answer is as good as mine. Africans must find their lost way to ensure their situation is maintained. 

Today is the first day of the year 2023; we must make a decisive decision: either we find our lost way or remain in the wilderness. The choice is ours. 

Is it not time to be humble enough and learn from our mistakes?

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