Patricia Agupusi, PhD
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Trump, Musk, and the South African Land Spectacle: A Crisis Without a Cause - Trump 2.0

5/13/2025

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​Land reform remains one of the most contentious and emotionally charged issues in South Africa's public and private discourse. Despite constitutional reforms and various amendments since 1994, 72 percent of farms and agricultural holdings are still owned by white South Africans, who constitute just 7 percent of the population. In contrast, Black South Africans, who make up 80.2 percent of the population, own only 4 percent of the land.

The "willing-seller, willing-buyer" (W-B-S) policy, adopted in the post-apartheid era to facilitate land redistribution, has been widely criticized as ineffective. Under this policy, white landowners could refuse to sell or demand exorbitant prices, effectively stalling meaningful redistribution. Additionally, poor regulatory oversight often meant that nonarable or degraded land was prioritized for sale, further undermining reform goals.

In response to these failures, 2018 saw the introduction of a new approach: Expropriation Without Compensation (EWC), championed by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and later adopted as part of broader policy discussions. Despite sensationalist portrayals, South Africa’s land reform policies — including EWC — remain among the most conservative globally, shaped by a cautious balancing act between redress and economic stability.

When EWC was introduced, the Trump administration, along with media figures such as Tucker Carlson, seized upon the issue to create a hyperbolic narrative, portraying an inaccurate and inflammatory picture of the situation. This intervention not only misrepresented the realities on the ground but also echoed a long history of American political intrusion into South Africa’s internal affairs.

There is much complexity to unpack in South Africa's land reform efforts. However, it is essential to recognize that the country's policies, even at their most progressive, reflect a deeply cautious approach rooted in its historical, political, and economic realities, rather than the radical upheaval portrayed by foreign commentators.
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After weeks of sensationalized and selective coverage about attacks on white South African farmers, the story eventually faded from the U.S. media. Perhaps Fox News viewers simply lost interest. Meanwhile, South Africa continued its slow, painstaking progress in the land reform debate. Like all major reforms, the process of turning Expropriation Without Compensation (EWC) into formal policy has been gradual and deliberate.
Six years later, the issue resurfaced—this time under Trump’s second act. After a four-year break from the presidency, Trump 2.0 has returned bigger, brasher, and even more combative. No one is spared; everyone is fair game. It was therefore no surprise when South African land politics re-entered the spotlight. But 2025 is different. This time, Trump shares power with South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, who now acts as a co-president. On February 2nd, Trump reignited the controversy by posting about South Africa’s land policies on Truth Social, setting off another wave of political theater. ​
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After reigniting the South African land debate on Truth Social, Trump took it a step further—signing an executive order to suspend all U.S. aid to South Africa and offering refugee status to white South Africans. I won’t waste time unpacking Elon Musk’s commentary about South Africa or his frustrations over Starlink investment roadblocks. (For deeper context, see this NPR analysis: link).
The Trump administration's actions are riddled with ironies. First, expropriation isn't unique to South Africa. In the U.S., it’s called eminent domain—a practice Trump himself has championed as both a businessman and president, often seizing land under dubious "public interest" claims. (See here: CBS News and New York Times).


Second, Trump has halted U.S. aid to multiple countries, but what aid is being suspended in South Africa? Foreign aid was already minimal. This move feels more like political theater than serious policy.
Third, and most glaring, land reform is an internal South African matter. What happened to "America First," the very slogan that swept Trump to power? Why meddle now, especially when even white South Africans themselves have overwhelmingly rejected Trump’s offer of refugee status?

During a recent visit to Cape Town, I saw firsthand how white South Africans live—comfortably, even luxuriously. In communities that would make American millionaires envious, they enjoy sprawling homes, daily domestic workers, low labor costs, and vast tracts of land. Why on earth would they abandon this lifestyle to live as "refugees" in the U.S.? The idea is laughable.

To gauge public sentiment, I spoke with several friends in South Africa. The consensus among Black South Africans? Let them leave, if they want. One Cape Town resident told me his white colleagues are embarrassed by the whole situation—too awkward even to discuss it. Meanwhile, the far-right Afrikaner groups are accusing Trump of betraying them, claiming he’s conspiring to help their enemies seize their land. (A fiery three-hour meeting posted on Twitter/X captured their outrage.)
So, what’s really at play here? What does Trump stand to gain by manufacturing a crisis in South Africa? What does Musk hope to achieve by aligning with him, especially when destabilizing South Africa would hurt the very white population they claim to defend?
Only 1 percent of South Africa’s white population lives in poverty. If Trump and Musk were genuinely concerned about impoverished whites, they should charter planes and bring that tiny percentage to the U.S., and Musk, the world’s richest man, could build them a cozy estate somewhere in Texas or Florida. It would make for a perfect, symbolic "return ticket." And the rest of South Africa would carry on—just fine—without the spectacle. 
Here's the reality: A few might want a free ride to the USA, but no mass exodus is coming. Anyone familiar with South Africa knows that white South Africans, who still own the vast majority of land and wealth, have far more to lose in any instability Trump and Musk try to stir up.

Patricia Agupusi (Ph.D)
Assistant Professor of Social Science 
Dept. of Social Science & Policy Studies
Affiliation: Global School
Worcester Polytechnic Institute  
100 Institute Rd, Worcester, 
MA 01609

Tel: +401 241 7538
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A glass of kindness full of new knowledge

2/27/2025

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My trip to Cape Town became fun when my adventurous friend visited. Immediately after arriving, she embarked on exploring everything about Cape Town. She comes back every day with food.  In my attempt at food adventure, I tasted a street-made meat delicacy she bought. Unfortunately, my stomach was not happy with me. I had terrible food poisoning for about a week. It started the following day. Initially, I did not think it was serious because I only tasted the ugly-looking white lamb head. Later, at a work event, it got very bad. Given my phobia of a dirty toilet, I had to leave the event. I thought the worst would happen on my way, but it did not. After this incident, I barely ate anything for the next two days.
I did not want to upset my stomach because we had scheduled a day trip to see the Big Five, and I had been looking forward to it. We set out very early in the morning. Everything was fine during the two-hour drive until I had a glass of wine on arrival. Immediately, my stomach went haywire. After a couple of visits, it was calm. I still did not think it would get worse. I had a small breakfast: nothing fancy, some croissants, an egg, a cup of coffee, and freshly squeezed juice. Before I could complete my meal, the food poisoning went full-blown. I stopped eating. Our safari trip was to start in about 45 minutes, and I spent that time in and out of the loom. My stomach had calmed down by the time we were about to set out.
I was relieved because the worst thing that could happen to you is wanting to go in a bumping safari van full of different people. We excitedly went straight to the last seat so we would be free to move around and take pictures. Immediately, we set out, and the rumbling in my stomach kicked in. I twisted most of the Safari ride. The long-awaited fun turned into a long nightmare. The bumping of the Safari Van made the already unbearable situation worse. I was glad we stopped for a break after what seemed like forever, but it was only three hours. I was able to let go and relieve myself.

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When we returned from the Safari to the lodge, lunch was ready, but woe betide me if anything passed through my mouth. At this point, I just wanted to go home. Missing lunch is not a big deal. I just wish for some sanity and a peaceful ride back. At our lunch table, an elderly lady, whom I later discovered was the main cook, inquired why I was not eating. I told her that I had food poisoning/diarrhea and could not afford to drink even water. She said I should just take flour and salt mixed with warm water, and it would go. I contemplated whether I should take her kind offer, as I was still terrified of taking anything. My nurse friend said it was a good solution as it contains starch. The lady went in and came back in about 10 minutes with a warm glass of what looked like milk. I thanked her, took the glass, and had a sip. It was salty. I was not expecting literally flour and salt in warm water, but that was precisely what it was. I clenched my teeth, held my breath, and drank half the glass of the homemade miracle stomach poison remedy.
Within 10 minutes, my stomach was calm. I kept holding my breath, but nothing happened. My nurse friend explained that the flour mixture works by coating, binding, and solidifying watery stool in the stomach, while the salt works to restore electrolytes. Later, she came over to see how I was doing and helped us pack as much food as possible since I could not eat. We left an hour later for a two-and-a-half-hour drive. I got home and still did not feel anything. I had bread and water. My stomach was calm. That is how the food poisoning/diarrhea disappeared without taking any other medication. Even though I was sick during the safari journey, I felt more fulfilled and happy due to this glass of kindness. 
The unsolicited help from the lady and how she did it amazed me. I learned a special kind of kindness and a potent home remedy for food poisoning/diarrhea. I experienced warmth and friendliness from Capetonians, but she was on a different level. It is interesting that in all the home remedies for food poisoning, this did not appear. My lady grandma taught me two great life lessons. No matter what is happening around the world, many kind people are out there.

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I'm back after a four-year hiatus

2/17/2025

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The last time I posted a blog was in 2021. Since then, a lot has happened. Juggling twin toddlers, moved back to New England, and recovering from writing block. Before my years of struggling with ideas and writing, I thought losing my creativity and motivation to write would last only a few weeks. Alas, it lasted for years. My experience has taught me many lessons. The most important thing now is that I am recovering, and I want to use my newfound positive energy well. 
To maintain my inspiration, I pray, read a chapter of a book beside my work material daily, and listen to or read critical analyses of issues outside my area. And, of course, keep up with my blog and personal journal. I am applying the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai & Kaizen to my daily life.
With my newfound creative flow, I start by sharing my Cape Town experiences. However, with an avalanche of global daily events, I cut down the Cape Town blog to a few, but I will share some lovely galleries with you as time passes. Enjoy the flow.
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Cape town gallery


The mountain view

On October 19th, we landed in Cape town for two months IQP. The journey was long and tedious (22 hours), but it was expected. This is not my first time visiting Cape town, but my first time going on a working visit. Cape town is a beautiful city. During my first visit, I thought God took extra time to design the city with a captivating view. It is lush, surrounded by mountains and ocean and has beautiful weather. I like how national geography describes the city as a high point of land that narrowly extends into a body of water. 
We arrived at our residence at about 1 am for the two-month stay, exhausted and excited at the same time. Our landlady helped us settle in and provided us with suggestions for restaurants within walking distance. The following day, we were happy to explore. As we stepped out of the balcony in the morning, the view that greeted us with the sunrise was breathtaking. The famous Devil's Peak mountain directly faces us. I took most of the pictures of it throughout our stay because each morning shows you a different view of the mountain. Sometimes, it is entirely covered by the cloud, and sometimes, it will be partially covered. Watching for a few minutes could also capture the cloud moving away, reflecting a different view. I was told it is one reason it is called Devil's Peak. Sometimes, you can see the reflection of the sunrise or sunset changing in minutes. (attached a picture)
As we walked out toward the hill, we experienced the most majestic view of the table mountain, which dwarfed the Devil’s Peak view from the balcony. As we walked the hill, enjoying the view, the mountain view in front of us, and the beautiful houses around us, it felt like a vacation. If there was any problem bothering me, it disappeared immediately. We turned left at the end of the street and saw various cafes and restaurants. For a small community, there seem to be a lot of cafes. They are fully packed. We were not sure which to choose. We ended up in one of the cozy cafes. A smiling female waitress quickly ushered us in. The menu looked interesting, and I picked something with salmon and a cappuccino with almond milk. One thing that stood out was the coffee. My cappuccino is rich with the right blend of milk and coffee. I am not sure of how exactly cappuccino should test or feel. For once, I tasted my idea of cappuccino. It was perfect. I thought maybe Cape town was good at making Cappuccino. I later found out it is part of the growing culture of coffee in the city. 
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Cape Town, culture of balancing life with coffee

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Coffee culture is growing in Cape Town. I found out that it is the same in other parts of South Africa. Everyone in our team discovered a better test of coffee. There is a coffee shop in every corner of the city. The fascinating thing is that I never tested a lousy coffee throughout my stay. It is not about my preferred coffee mixture, but every coffee, even plain black coffee, tests better. What set Cape Town's vibrant coffee culture apart is its rich blend of traditional brewing methods and innovative techniques. The coffee culture is not only about the coffee but also the atmosphere and ambiance that different coffee shops create. There is an excellent friendly atmosphere. Every coffee shop I went to felt welcoming and relaxing. Starbucks coffee shops exist, but I did not want to try any except once.
  One day, I decided to make an experiment. I went to a Starbucks for coffee. First, to see if the coffee tests are the same, and second, to check the price differences. As expected, there are tons of varieties and flavors. I went for a latte with vanilla. There seems to be no plain latte. It tasted good but cost 20 Rands more than other coffee shops' vanilla lattes. The atmosphere was the same as you could get in the US. - Big but no soul. There are a lot of varieties but no depth and they are overpriced. Despite this, the Starbucks shops I saw did not lack customers. It is the power of brand name. When I returned to the State, I started dreading buying coffee outside. The coffee bean I brought from Cape Town does not taste the same. I might buy the coffee bean, but I lacked the brewing technique. I am not the only one. My friend who visited called to say that she could not get herself to drink coffee since she came back.
Cape Town does not only boast of a place where God took godly brewed coffee and designed a landscape of nature. It is also a city where the people take life easy. The Western Cape, as a Province like the entire South Africa, has a tortured history that still grips the country and the city today. Despite the natural beauty of mountains and oceans (Atlantic and Indian oceans) and various natural and manmade game reserves, there is still a lot of hardship. Amid the affluence, the majority of Capetonians are still living in abject poverty. Shacks and informal dwellings exist in large numbers. However, there is a common denominator, whether it is the poor, the rich, or the in-between. People seem happy and very friendly. There is a reflection of content and determination in a lot of people. Many people I met in the city, such as Uber drivers and those living in different secluded poor communities and informal dwellings, exhibit this characteristic. My chat with many shows that Capetonians of every class, race, and status emphasize balancing work and life. There is an important value placed on working to live. An acquaintance I was chatting with said, ‘At a point in life, you need to know that money is not everything. I want to be able to spend quality time with my family.” Another young guy said, “ I don’t have a family yet, but I don’t take my work home.” When I am home, I am home, and I don’t take too much work that would encroach on my private life.” Foreigners think the same way. In Cape Town, you will discover that most Uber drivers are foreigners. My favorite thing is chatting with my Uber drivers and learning about and from them. To describe Cape Town, one Uber driver who moved from Johannesburg, provided some comparison. “In Cape Town, things are more orderly; there is life beyond hustling and bustling. I feel more at peace here.” Interestingly, balancing life and work is a uniting force for the people of a divided city like Cape Town. It is also refreshing to know that in a place like this, you can always take a breath, smell the coffee/tea or the ocean breeze, or feel the strong mountain wind and know there is life and you are living it. I once said that Cape Town is the most beautiful place without the people. I have changed my mind. The people make the City more attractive.




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The ‘shithole’ country and the COVID-19

1/14/2021

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​In 2018, it was reported that President Trump referred to African countries as shithole countries. Other actors would refrain from that kind of language but continue to suggest they think that way too by consistently framing that any wins Africa has are due to accidents/mysteries of poverty than any deliberate action on the part of the government(s). We are seeing it today with the reaction to Covid in Africa. When the COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in early 2020. All eyes were on Africa. This is despite the fact the pandemic was of Chinese origin with high cases in Europe - Italy, and Spain recording highest fatality recording in thousands at the time. When low cases were reported in most African countries, many in the media were perplexed on why the COVID pandemic is not ravaging African countries. 
Some in the US did not believe the low cases from African countries. Evacuees arriving from other countries including African ones are shocked on the lack of protocol at American Airports. One arriving from DRC attested to the DRC actually has some protocols using the available capacity they used during Ebola.
Others in the media assumed that it was a matter of time. On April 21st, 2020 Vox published an article by Alex Ward titled “Africa has so far been spared the worst of the coronavirus. That could soon change”. The author acknowledged the swift action taken by African countries to contain the spread but suggested that lack of testing could explain the low cases. We are now in the second wave of the pandemic (2020/21), and most African countries with the exception of South Africa, are still recording low cases  in comparison to many in Europe and North America. 
 
.www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?utm_campaign=homeAdvegas1?.

Why is the exaggerated alarm from both African and international commentators and media? There is a combination of reasons but some of those that frequently occur are: Africa is continuously treated as a homogenous country and there is a constructed perception of Africa as a deathbed for diseases, and an incapacitated region. Many African countries do not have the capacity and technology equivalent to that of some developed countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. Yes, African countries have had some experience managing diseases but so do every other region. In the last two decades, there have been regional and global disease outbreaks - such as Swine Flu,  SAR, Zika and etc. These outbreaks were not in African countries. This did not stop attributing the low spread of COVID-19 in African countries to frequent disease outbreaks in the region using Ebola as an example. Even though there were very few Ebola cases in some countries both within and outside Africa, the outbreak was in four West African countries - DRC, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Despite this, it is wrongly assumed that the Ebola outbreak happened in every African country, due to the way it is framed in the media. 
There are various factors that could be attributed to the low cases of COVID in African countries (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54418613). Whilst there have been challenges (low testing especially outside major cities) there are things African governments are doing right. My trip to Nigeria is testament to that. 

Immediately, my flight was confirmed, I started paying more attention to COVID cases in Nigeria. I spoke with friends and family members and they assured me that it was safe. The assurance did not completely assuage my fear given the rate of the spread in the US. I researched the rate of transfer while inside the plane and planned to follow Naomi Campbell’s traveling routine. Nigeria has an official traveling protocol that requires anyone traveling to Nigeria to obtain a negative COVID-19 by a well-recognized and accredited clinic. The test is uploaded into the Nigerian traveling portal with details of my trips. This includes where I have traveled in the past two months, my contacts, and next of kin in Nigeria. Everywhere I planned to visit in Nigeria with detailed addresses and phone numbers. We are also required to pay an equivalent of $100 for a test a week after my arrival in Nigeria. 

On arrival at the Abuja Airport Nigeria, the first stop after disembarking from the plane was to take the temperature of every passenger. Then, we proceed to the verification of our travel permit to confirm a negative COVID test and the payment for another test in a week's time. Having passed through this, we are to go through a full-body screening. All these include mandatory mask-wearing at the airport. When it is ascertained that you are negative, you are allowed to enter the country. A week after my arrival, I went for the test. In less than 24 hours, I got my negative result. It was another big relief. 

In Abuja, people walk about casually with little restrictions. Physical locations such as malls and airports usually have personnel stationed at entrance points for security reasons. All they have had to do is give them temperature sensors and hand gel. Compare with America where a person is likely to feel their human rights are being attacked because a shop personnel with little experience of customer management is asking them to wear a mask. Nigeria already has these protocols entrenched for a number of reasons. There is more focus on contact tracing of those coming into the country because most cases are from outside the country.

My first week in Nigeria, there was a report of 700 cases. It became big news and chatter. I had a laugh at people's reaction to the 700 cases which were seen as a big spark. I said to a friend, that is less than the number of COVID-related deaths registered by a state in the US. Nigeria was generally safe and I was at peace’. It is interesting that I did not know how much the impact of COVID and its management in the US has affected me until I traveled to that ‘shithole’ country Nigeria. On our way back to the US, things were dangerously simple. We were asked to complete a COVID form on the flight but when we arrived, there was nobody asking questions about where we were coming from. The form I completed is still in my bag. 

I have come to realize that some African countries have a more stringent protocol and strong tracing process. For instance, in Rwanda, if you are not wearing a mask in public, you will be required to go on 12 hours of training. African governments have been more like China and other Asian countries comfortable with stringent approaches  that require testing at strategic points and as a precondition for entry. The UK has now decided to follow this procedure given its own out-of-control situation, but allowed inbound travel without testing for almost a year. 

Africa as a region has its own problems but many countries in Africa are managing this pandemic better than expected. We understand there are governance challenges in some African countries, but when a country gets it right, let’s stop explaining it away but rather learn to apply the positive example to other areas. We are already into a new decade. It is time we stop treating the most heterogeneous continent as a homogenous country. This is a broken record but it has continued to happen. Instead of lazy reporting or using dummies to assess African countries, it would do everyone a favour especially foreign media to try visiting countries and report the reality instead of reports driven by false perceptions. Us shithole countries also  have to take matters - and science - into our own hands, if we want to see the kinds of headlines that capture our reality.  For example, are Africans looking at our blood samples to check whether Africans have higher rates of exposure/antibodies for coronaviruses. What are our scientists doing?
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Guest Blog

1/15/2020

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The old and the new

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Lagos

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Today we arrived at Lagos International Airport. I noticed that it wasn’t the new and polished version of airports we are used to in the states. I was told some equipment was in need of repair and we were towed off the runway to the terminal. The captain of the plane explained this as if it was known to all. I looked at the sky, and the trees and there seemed to be a thick smog, but it was effect of the season called Harmattan in west Africa.It is a dry season when the sands of the Sahara dessert fill the air given it a reddish tone.
The airport was not very busy at this point as we came to the second piece of equipment not working; the escalator. After carrying the luggage down the escalator, we went through customs without a wait and the people were very friendly and I joked with, them showing what few words I know in Igbo. We then came to luggage carousels where there were three and only one was working, we waited, others began to wait as well and soon the crowd around the carousel swelled to about 100 or so. It took a while but we got all our luggage. People were very friendly and courteous, even as the crowd grew and this area became packed with people. The chaos was beginning.
We met our driver who was to take us to our accommodations. We walked out and were hit by a barrage of people looking to offer services like carrying the luggage, driving, chariy donations. Some a little aggressive but not unfriendly, we declined as the walked along. Then the drive began and I saw the futility of traffic laws. it was the way of things. There were split second decisions of life and death almost every moment. The shear volume of people on the roads was incredible. One lane roads made into three, cars just inches from one another, the traffic inched ahead until there was space to run, no void left unfilled. Everyone driving with extreme awareness of the periphery. it was full on chaos. And where you stopped for the lights that were respected, the street vendors took to the line of potential customers. Everything you could imagine walked past the cars a walking 7/11. Produce, candy, nuts, paintings. I was told you could do alll your shopping done just by being stuck in traffic. The spirit of free enterprise was on fire in this city. The people were on fire, buzzing with activity and life. In New England people walk around like zombies, half dead. No merchant is just sitting and waiting for customers but actively seeking contact.

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We drive the expressway the main route through Lagos island.
Market after market crowd the side of the route. People fill the markets. Fish and fruits, bread, vegetables, beer and wine. Row after row, a perpetual yard sale. The sky is still hazy. The sun reduced to a yellow disc you can look right at. The traffic is swelling. New concrete buildings are being built all over. Everything is concrete. And it’s hot. But, people are managing even laughing sometimes at the absurdity of things that go by the window. Someone is carrying a full length mirror, A man with a small live alligator holding it by the tail is swinging towards the slow moving cars. Presumably for a meal? It’s for sale; everything is for sale it seems. Then mixed in with this are new restaurants and coffee shops, clothing stores, everything you would see on Boylston Street in Boston. Nice cafes, a Jazz club that sells hamburgers, fast food joints. It is all swirling around under Lagos haze the new growing right out of the old. The mall is the same as any mall I’ve seen and is a nice respite from the heat.At the far end there is space reserved for local crafters to sell their goods and services. We buy some chocolate that is nice and is made locally.
We walk around the neighborhood of VGC. There are nice homes guarded by high walls with barb wire on top. Every home is surrounded by high walls and large metal gates at the entrance of the driveway. It is a well planned community with clean streets and traffic signals. All over small lizards dart across the road and under the fences like squirrels.

The village

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With the temperature in 90s today we headed to the East. To “the Village “ . We set out by plane to Owarre, then to the village by a pickup truck which was definitely needed . Once here we drove on roads that were mostly paved but in some places dirt. Two lane highways that were so eroded that traffic was force to split one lane for two. Erosion is evident throughout the region even in areas where drainage has been built along the roads. In each town we passed the most notable thing are open air markets, fresh fruit; colorful bicycle tires, rims, clothings, propane, jerky, caged chickens pretty much anything. Each table stand a specialty shop. Business is booming. Large crowds meander through the market. Further up the road are cashew vendors selling cashews in empty water bottles I counted roughly 50 individual sellers of cashew and other nuts.
We arrived in Umuchu and were greeted warmly by our hosts. This is the holidays so it is the one time when entire extended family is at the the family compound. As a result it is perfect time for weddings and memorials. I’m amazed at the the commitment to ancestral lands. These parcels of land go back generations and passed on from one to the next.Everyone here seems to be living off the grid. Roads are built by individuals.Government involvement in everyday life is non existent . It struck me that these folks are pure libertarians doing for themselves what the government provides in many countries. We are welcomed to family memorial and reunion in Achina the next town over. There is live music provided with a whistle and a drum corps of a dozen drummers. It’s time for the masquerade. Masked dancers dance to the music and collect small paper Nigerian Naira denominations tossed to them by the crowd. They play for a good 1 hour straight in the sweltering heat, I’m told they will play for 3 hours at times. I can’t imagine that, because I’m just sitting and drinking and ready to succumb to the temperature. The food is good and plentiful and the wine is poured generously. Everywhere is fresh fruit and produce, yams hang from the wall. There are orange trees, coconut trees and other fruits I have never seen before.All their meals will be made from local produce. The meat will be fresh cut from cattle slaughtered just around corner. And it’s all organic.

Abuja


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We are in Abuja now, the Capitol city. The hotel is affordable and nice. This is much more of a planned city, nice homes with landscaping. People seem to be following traffic laws to some extent. There is a clear sense of order here. Police direct traffic. Occasionally there is a check point. Police with semi automatics look at cars and wave em on. There is a nice park we go to and sit on the grass and eat spicy seasoned meat called Suya and rice bread wrapped in newspaper. It’s crowed with folks enjoying the day. Photographers offer to take pictures of your outing for a fee. A man selling books kneels down besides to show us his collection. Won’t take no for an answer. Starts getting annoying truthfully, cause I tried not make eye contact, it doesn’t work. I don’t think I have ever bought a book from high pressure sales rep. It’s just not the same. He leaves annoyed. It’s a nice park, other vendors sell crafts and paintings along the walkway, eagles soar above, people are happy. We walk the streets near our hotel I’m told this area was the first planned neighborhood
The houses are nicely kept. The landscaping showcases beautiful palm tree hybrids that look like they have been hand painted with spirals halfway up the tree. It’s a very peaceful neighborhood. We stop at a fresh food market to buy fruit. Again it’s organized and vendors are patient and very helpful

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Fall colors in Rhode Island

10/21/2019

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When the deep dark winter sets in always remember this beautiful fall color and know that nothing in our life is permanent; everything in life comes and goes, the good times, the bad times and the ugly times.
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Sights and colors of Rhode Island

5/30/2019

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May 29th, 2019

5/29/2019

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​May the month of beauty and maybe

5/27/2019

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May the month of beauty and maybeMay is that time of the year in the northeast of maybe spring or summer
It is the peak of spring and the beginning of summer.
It sometimes plays in our mentality.
Maybe its rains today, sunny tomorrow or cloudy the next.
It is warm today and maybe cold.
I start with peak clarity and deep confusion,
Then I pick up to decide because what I invested in May will determine my June.
May is beautiful, hopeful confusing but also a time to be decisive and seek clarity.
 May is a time to plan for the remaining year.
 
 
 
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Poems

5/12/2019

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Africa the motherland
Oh! Africa full of beauty and gem, luscious and alive
The sun rising majestically. I’m in awe of its beauty,
The red, yellow sky big goodnight and blue in the day
It ushered magnificent moon for light at night
Innumerable stars are ever bright  in African sky
Sparkling like a diamond in the African night
Oh Africa! What can be compare to your beauty?

The river runs deep and shallow ever flowing
The blue oceans meet at the tip of the south
The Ubo spring ever fresh and sweet
Food still grows from nature, and delicious
As I lay in bed I hear the whistle of the wind
That gives great melody to the tree whispering
And birds singing as cock crow at dawn  

Stretching out with a smile, as the sun floods in
The day begins. What a wonderful way to wake in Africa
My heart, my home and God’s grand design. My Africa!
What happen to you oh Africa?
Men of power eating your children while trodden on you
How long would you survive this wickedness?
Your children are being preyed upon for money and greed

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    Patricia Agupusi

    The opinions here are my own.

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