Binyavanga later explained in the journal Bidoun how this essay randomly came to life with double-effect: By exposing and describing the insecurity of novelists, NGO workers, rock musicians, conservationists, students, and travel writers, who read these guidelines on how  or maybe rather how not to  write about Africa, they then began to ask for his approval.
Baadaye Binyavanga alielezea katika jarida la Bidoun namna makala hii ilivyotokea tu katika maisha na athari mbili: Kwa kuweka wazi na kuelezea hatari juu ya waandishi wa liwaya, wafanyakazi wa mashirika yasiyo ya kiserikali, wanamusiki, wahifadhi, wanafunzi na waandishi wanaosafiri ambao wanasoma haya maelekezo ya namna  au hata namna ya kutoandika kuhusu Afrika, huanza kuomba idhini yake.