Sierra Leoneans in Melbourne, Australia celebrated 52 years of independence from British in grand style.

 

Living in Australia as a Sierra Leonean made me very proud when I saw a spectacular display of unity amongst Sierra Leoneans living in Melbourne.

I have experienced seven independent celebrations in Australia including the 50th Anniversary of our beloved country's emancipation from our colonial British rulers. Most of them can be quite boring for young people, this is because there is a huge agenda which includes elderly people coming up on stage to tell the young generation a little bit about Sierra Leone's history. A lot of young people have boycotted the show many times due to prolong activities that never seem to have an end, because young people just want to party.

The 52 years of independence celebration especially here in Melbourne has had a mixed reaction on those that witnessed it. I was not in Melbourne to attend it since I was on a trip in Sydney.

 "This is one of the best independent celebrations I have ever witness since I arrived in Australia, and it was completely different. There was traditional cultural dance, a  certain group of guys came to perform rap songs, no prolong speaking by elders in the "Salone" community, the food was not bad and it was full at the top," said Bondu, a Sierra Leonean in Melbourne.

As the case may be, one man's trash is another man's treasure. One of the traits I have noticed in a lot of Sierra Leoneans that attend these independent celebration, i.e. they will never be satisfied after spending their hard-hand dollars on what they always called rubbish.

One Umuru who came from Sydney especially to witness the independent party in Melbourne for the first time had this to say, "the DJ system was poor, the food wasn't that good, it was over-crowded and I did not have any fun at all." Well, what can I say? Not everyone will be satisfied equally.

"It was good, really good. I wish it is done like this every year," said one party goer.

I had a lot of conversation to people that attended the show. And I can exclusively revealed that it was one of the best. We have never had any cultural traditional dance, it has never been full because all the young people always boycott it. To have such a large turn-up on this year's celebration was very remarkable and precious for all Sierra Leoneans in Melbourne.