---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Africa doesn't leap on you immediately…"
description: "\"Africa doesn't leap on you immediately; it seeps slowly, and it's incredibly important to be respectful and humble there.\" — Jill Scott"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c08/jill-scott-1737_africa_africa-doesn-t-leap-on-you-immediately-i_422530.png"
---

#  Africa doesn't leap on you immediately; it seeps slowly…

![“Africa doesn't leap on you immediately; it seeps slowly, and it's incredibly important to be respectful and humble there.” quote by Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c08/jill-scott-1737_africa_africa-doesn-t-leap-on-you-immediately-i_422530.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c08/jill-scott-1737_africa_africa-doesn-t-leap-on-you-immediately-i_422530.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c08/jill-scott-1737_africa_africa-doesn-t-leap-on-you-immediately-i_422530.png)

> “Africa doesn't leap on you immediately; it seeps slowly, and it's incredibly important to be respectful and humble there.”

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Change in Africa occurs gradually, demanding patience, respect, and humility.

**In simple terms:** Africa changes slowly, be respectful.

Key Takeaway

Approach with humility and patience.

Themes

patience respect humility change culture

Mood

thoughtful reflective

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- travel
- volunteering
- community work
- research
- policy making

Key Concepts

social dynamics colonial history personal growth

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you demonstrate humility in unfamiliar cultures?
- What signs indicate slow change?

A Different Perspective

Progress can be hindered by impatience or cultural insensitivity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Africa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/africa/) [Humble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humble/) [Leap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leap/) [Respectful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respectful/)

## Related quotes

> [I was taught to be respectful and humble as a boy, and especially not arrogant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-godin/i-was-taught-to-be-respectful-and-humble-as-a-boy-and-especially-not/)

[Diego Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-godin/)

> [Africa doesn't need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/africa-doesn-t-need-strongmen-it-needs-strong-institutions/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Jazz is known all over the world as an American musical art form and that's it. No America, no jazz. I've seen people try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-blakey/jazz-is-known-all-over-the-world-as-an-american-musical-art-form-and/)

[Art Blakey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-blakey/)

> [“Only with the greatest of simplifications, for the sake of convenience, can we say Africa. In reality, except as a geographical term, Africa doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryszard-kapuscinski/only-with-the-greatest-of-simplifications-for-the-sake-of-convenience/)

[Ryszard Kapusciński](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryszard-kapuscinski/)

> [Africa doesn't look like it's changed that much to me since I first went in '94. There is still a major economic divide, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goapele/africa-doesn-t-look-like-it-s-changed-that-much-to-me-since-i-first/)

[Goapele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goapele/)

> [You have to be respectful of pop culture, because people interpret it in the way they want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaleel-white/you-have-to-be-respectful-of-pop-culture-because-people-interpret-it/)

[Jaleel White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaleel-white/)

> [It is so much easier to be nice, to be respectful, to put yourself in your customers' shoes and try to understand how you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/it-is-so-much-easier-to-be-nice-to-be-respectful-to-put-yourself-in/)

[Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/)

> [Be respectful. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Respect the lowest rank and the highest rank and you'll never get in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-rodriguez/be-respectful-treat-people-the-way-you-want-to-be-treated-respect-the/)

[Alex Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-rodriguez/)

> [When you have a good friend that really cares for you and tries to stick in there with you, you treat them like nothing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-monroe/when-you-have-a-good-friend-that-really-cares-for-you-and-tries-to/)

[Marilyn Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-monroe/)

> [Being respectful of extraordinary work that has happened in the last thirty-five years is not the same thing as it reflecting my values. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-hollibaugh/being-respectful-of-extraordinary-work-that-has-happened-in-the-last/)

[Amber Hollibaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-hollibaugh/)

> [If people are going to do post-publication peer review, they need to abide by the same rules as they abide by for pre-publication peer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-fiske/if-people-are-going-to-do-post-publication-peer-review-they-need-to/)

[Susan Fiske](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-fiske/)

> [I try to be respectful of how other people think, I try to listen to what they're saying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-scott/i-try-to-be-respectful-of-how-other-people-think-i-try-to-listen-to/)

[Rick Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-scott/)

> [I think you have to be respectful to the people who want to talk to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryce-harper/i-think-you-have-to-be-respectful-to-the-people-who-want-to-talk-to/)

[Bryce Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryce-harper/)

> [Work hard. Don’t quit. Be appreciative, be thankful, be grateful, be respectful. Also, never whine, never complain. And always, for crying out loud, keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-keaton/work-hard-don-t-quit-be-appreciative-be-thankful-be-grateful-be/)

[Michael Keaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-keaton/)

> [I consider myself to be respectful, and I believe this is a main value for sports.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-hilfiger/i-consider-myself-to-be-respectful-and-i-believe-this-is-a-main-value/)

[Tommy Hilfiger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-hilfiger/)

## More by Jill Scott

> [One of the things I love about Africa is the amount of dignity and respect and humility you see all the time. You don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/one-of-the-things-i-love-about-africa-is-the-amount-of-dignity-and/)

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

> [Being on set is a hard thing. A lot of people are like, 'Oh, you get to make a movie, and it's all fun.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/being-on-set-is-a-hard-thing-a-lot-of-people-are-like-oh-you-get-to/)

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

> [Everybody is supposed to be a part of their own community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/everybody-is-supposed-to-be-a-part-of-their-own-community/)

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

> [I just think fashion is about enjoying yourself and being comfortable in your skin and allowing you to be you - all the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/i-just-think-fashion-is-about-enjoying-yourself-and-being-comfortable/)

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

> [I just think it's silly to be stingy with compliments. If you see someone and they strike you as beautiful in any way, why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/i-just-think-it-s-silly-to-be-stingy-with-compliments-if-you-see/)

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

> [I'm being all of me, and it feels stupendous. I don't want to leave this feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/i-m-being-all-of-me-and-it-feels-stupendous-i-don-t-want-to-leave/)

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

> [I think I've changed more as a person and, as I change as a person, there is new added creativity. I've seen more... I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/i-think-i-ve-changed-more-as-a-person-and-as-i-change-as-a-person/)

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

> [People say that they like the characters that they believe that I am. But, I don't as much. I like the characters that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/people-say-that-they-like-the-characters-that-they-believe-that-i-am/)

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

> [Singing and acting suit me. I made a vow to myself, to do everything that I can do with this life that I have,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/singing-and-acting-suit-me-i-made-a-vow-to-myself-to-do-everything/)

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

> [Ooh, if I gave you peaches outta my own garden and I made you a peach pie, would you slap me out? Wonder if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/ooh-if-i-gave-you-peaches-outta-my-own-garden-and-i-made-you-a-peach/)

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

> [I had to wear a fat suit to play Mma Ramotswe in 'The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.' She's described as being like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/i-had-to-wear-a-fat-suit-to-play-mma-ramotswe-in-the-no-1-ladies/)

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

> [I am more spiritual than religious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/i-am-more-spiritual-than-religious/)

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

> [Common is one of the nicest people I've ever met, and to describe him as a vile rapper because he has an opinion... just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/common-is-one-of-the-nicest-people-i-ve-ever-met-and-to-describe-him/)

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

> [As slavery died for the greater good of America, and the movement for equality sputtered to life, the white woman was on the cover…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/as-slavery-died-for-the-greater-good-of-america-and-the-movement-for/)

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

> [I've done a lot of fighting in my time, and I'm down to do some more. I don't want to, but you know, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/i-ve-done-a-lot-of-fighting-in-my-time-and-i-m-down-to-do-some-more-i/)

[Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

[Explore all 212 Jill Scott quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/)

## More Africa quotes

> [“We ought to know the history of our ancient ancestors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/we-ought-to-know-the-history-of-our-ancient-ancestors/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [Africa, being the major target of colonial plunder, therefore becomes a major source of conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-horne/africa-being-the-major-target-of-colonial-plunder-therefore-becomes-a/)

[Gerald Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-horne/)

> [I'm in 'Madagascar 2.' I'm Testy the Lion. The franchise moves to Africa, and Bernie Mac is also in the film. I loved working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-lister-jr/i-m-in-madagascar-2-i-m-testy-the-lion-the-franchise-moves-to-africa/)

[Tom Lister, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-lister-jr/)

> [South Africa needs a second liberation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mugabe/south-africa-needs-a-second-liberation/)

[Robert Mugabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mugabe/)

> [There's a place in Botswana where there are 100,000 elephants living in a single population. Think of the amount of space they need. Remember,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-bergin/there-s-a-place-in-botswana-where-there-are-100-000-elephants-living/)

[Patrick Bergin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-bergin/)

> [If you followed the media you'd think that everybody in Africa was starving to death, and that's not the case; so it's important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/if-you-followed-the-media-you-d-think-that-everybody-in-africa-was/)

[Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/)

> [Africa for the Africans... at home and abroad!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-garvey/africa-for-the-africans-at-home-and-abroad/)

[Marcus Garvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-garvey/)

> [In Africa, animals and the natural landscape allow local communities to support themselves, as there is a constant source of money from tourism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lidington/in-africa-animals-and-the-natural-landscape-allow-local-communities/)

[David Lidington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lidington/)

> [My mom is from Ghana, and my dad is from Detroit, so I would go back and forth to Africa a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-richardson/my-mom-is-from-ghana-and-my-dad-is-from-detroit-so-i-would-go-back/)

[Sam Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-richardson/)

> [I've never been invited to do an exhibition or do a talk in England, except once, about 10 years ago. I've given talks all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-wildsmith/i-ve-never-been-invited-to-do-an-exhibition-or-do-a-talk-in-england/)

[Brian Wildsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-wildsmith/)

> [I represent my country, but I also represent the continent of Africa when I play in Europe. That's why it's important to try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yaya-toure/i-represent-my-country-but-i-also-represent-the-continent-of-africa/)

[Yaya Toure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yaya-toure/)

> [What we need in South Africa is for egos to be suppressed in favour of peace. We need to create a new breed of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hani/what-we-need-in-south-africa-is-for-egos-to-be-suppressed-in-favour/)

[Chris Hani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hani/)

> [I was learning to track rhinoceroses in Africa and tracked right up on an animal that really I thought was going to kill me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-beck/i-was-learning-to-track-rhinoceroses-in-africa-and-tracked-right-up/)

[Martha Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-beck/)

> [I am interested in bringing Africa to the foot of the Cross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhard-bonnke/i-am-interested-in-bringing-africa-to-the-foot-of-the-cross/)

[Reinhard Bonnke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhard-bonnke/)

> [My mother is a huge fan of my work. I told her about 'Coraline' long before the film was made, and she got the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-selick/my-mother-is-a-huge-fan-of-my-work-i-told-her-about-coraline-long/)

[Henry Selick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-selick/)

[Browse all 1,665 Africa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/africa/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Africa doesn't leap on you immediately; it seeps slowly, and it's incredibly important to be respectful and humble there.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jill Scott"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/africa-doesn-t-leap-on-you-immediately-it-seeps-slowly-and-it-s/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Africa"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/africa-doesn-t-leap-on-you-immediately-it-seeps-slowly-and-it-s/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c08/jill-scott-1737_africa_africa-doesn-t-leap-on-you-immediately-i_422530.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c08/jill-scott-1737_africa_africa-doesn-t-leap-on-you-immediately-i_422530.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c08/jill-scott-1737_africa_africa-doesn-t-leap-on-you-immediately-i_422530.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Africa doesn't leap on you immediately; it seeps slowly, and it's incredibly important to be respectful and…” — Jill Scott",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jill Scott",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Africa doesn't leap on you immediately;...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/africa-doesn-t-leap-on-you-immediately-it-seeps-slowly-and-it-s/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/africa-doesn-t-leap-on-you-immediately-it-seeps-slowly-and-it-s/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
