Following on from what we have done with Mosiah, we have reclaimed the second month of the year as Ọmọ́wálé, in honour of the life and legacy of Ọmọ́wálé Malcolm X. (1)
It is clear that his “stature and cultural legacy have only grown since his death” in 1965 where he “keeps getting rediscovered generation after generation by young people.” (2)
Opening the season of Ọmọ́wálé Bro. Tafadzwa ShakaRa Mbandaka delivered a message at Alkebu-Lan Shumira titled Ọmọ́wálé: The Character of a Revolutionary where he highlighted some of the essential qualities the eminent prophet.
After defining Afrikan revolution as the forcible overthrow of a government or social order (imperialism/white supremacy) in favour of a new system of Afrikan sovereignty and self-determination in the service of the masses of Afrikan people, he sought to outline character from an Afrikan cultural framework. Referencing Yoruba culture, he asserted that Ìwàpẹ̀lẹ́, which roughly translates as good or balanced character is the aspiration of the human being. (3)
He added that more than Ọmọ́wálé Malcolm X was an exemplary manifestation of Ìwàpẹ̀lẹ́ that he could be regarded as Ọmọlúàbí, the child of whom master of character is born, an exemplar good/balanced character and what it means to be an Afrikan revolutionary. (4)
He proceed to outline three characteristics that confirm his status as Ọmọlúàbí, an Afrikan revolutionary:
Sincerity: stemming from a deep love of Afrikan people;
Study: a relentless commitment to learning and self-improvement to better aid Afrikan people;
Service: – Putting oneself at the service of the people (e.g. the six point drug programme). (5)
Ọmọ́wálé Malcolm X strove to fuse these elements into the programme of the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU) that sought to wage a “cultural revolution” seeking to unite Afrikans across the Americas and the world. (6)
These qualities serve as an antidote to the observation made by the late Baba Amos Wilson:
“Why does the Black man say, “freedom is doing what I want to do!” and why is it that every thing he “wants to do” enriches the European?” (7)
Ọmọ́wálé Malcolm X demonstrated his incorruptability in 1956 and 1964 when rejected the overtures of the FBI to become an informant, being clear how devastating infiltration can be to liberation movements in his own time – sadly a legacy that persists to the present in myriad forms. (8) Nevertheless, it might be argued that we are all flawed so it is really having the right programme or agenda that is paramount, not our personal shortcomings.
(1) Malcolm X With the assistance of Alex Haley (1964) The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Ballantine Books. .https://archive.org/stream/the-autobiography-of-malcolm-x-as-told-to-alex-haley-malcolm-x-alex-haley-1992/1%20The%20autobiography%20of%20Malcolm%20X%2C%20as%20told%20to%20Alex%20Haley%20-%20Malcolm%20X%2C%20Alex%20Haley%20-%201973_djvu.txt. p 357 “Afterward, in the Students’ Union, I was plied with questions, and I was made an honorary member of the Nigerian Muslim Students’ Society. Right here in my wallet is my card: ‘‘Alhadji Malcolm X. Registration No. M-138.’’ With the membership, I was given a new name: ‘‘Omowale.’’ It means, in the Yoruba language, ‘‘the son who has come home.’’ I meant it when I told them I had never received a more treasured honor.”
(2) Christina Pazzanese (15/08/25) Why Malcolm X matters even more 60 years after his killing. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/08/why-malcolm-x-matters-even-more-60-years-after-his-killing/
(3) Tafadzwa ShakaRa Mbandaka (01/02/26) Ọmọ́wálé: The Character of a Revolutionary. Message delivered at Alkebu-Lan Shmira
(4) Ibid.
(5) Ibid.
(6) Ọmọ́wálé Malcolm X (28/06/64) Speech at the OAAU Founding Rally. https://www.icit-digital.org/articles/malcolm-x-s-speech-at-the-oaau-founding-rally-june-28-1964
(7) Muzunga Nia (1995) Dr. Amos Wilson’s Last Interview. https://africanbloodsiblings.wordpress.com/2012/06/11/dr-amos-wilsons-last-interview-1995/
(7) Lucy Fleming (08/01/26) Algeria apologises after player mocks Congolese superfan dressed as pan-African hero. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj0nqqgy77ro
(8) ICIT Digital Library (04/02/64) Malcolm X: A Visit From the FBI. https://www.icit-digital.org/articles/malcolm-x-a-visit-from-the-fbi-february-4-1964
Ọmọ́wálé: What is a revolutionary character?
1) Why does Ọmọ́wálé Malcolm X have enduring appeal?
2) Do we have a functional definition of Afrikan Revolution?
3) Can we really “do what we want” and be free?
4) Does character matter as long as we have the right agenda/programme?
Our Special Guest:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.
Bro. Tafadzwa ShakaRa Mbandaka: the son of Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka, Father, Partner, Universal Afrikan Nationalist, Organiser, Spoken Word Activist, Writer, Cultural Scientist, Educator, Sema Tawi and graduate of the UNIA-ACL’s Course In Afrikan Philosophy (ShakaRaSpeaks.com). Bro. ShakaRa is also director of Kimbunga Media, the UK’s number 1 conscious platform (https://kimbungamedia.com/).
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