Where are the voices?

The August winds have started and the winds of change are spreading through South Africa.   It is an exciting time in our history as we have experienced so much change in our lifetimes.   Change for the better and change for the worst.

I grew up in the 60’s where the youth fought for free love, the right to choose what to do with their bodies, the right to freedom of choice in all sorts.   Drugs played a huge role in society.   Music was exploratory and wonderful and still rates as some of the best today!

We wanted censorship to be revoked.   We wanted freedom to read, to watch adult films, we wanted freedom to mix with whoever we wanted.   We wanted a free and fair society and in 1994 we thought we had got it!

The voice of the church was loud!    Fire and brimstone railed from the pulpits and the more we said we were not preaching anarchy just freedom to express ourselves the more hell broke loose.

What did we get?

Pornography, violence, paedophilia, serial murderers by the hundreds, HIV and Aids, fraud and corruption, drugs in an unprecedented volume, protests and more and more violence, the total breakdown of Society’s moral fibre! 

The rule of law no longer seems to apply and parents, churches, businesses and schools are no longer instilling ethical and moral principles in the lives of their children or workers.   They are not leading by example.   How can we expect the youth of today to know the difference between right and wrong?   How can we expect them to make an informed decision or have an informed opinion?

Recently at a discussion at the Franschoek Literary Festival the topic  ‘Activism in the 60’s versus activism today’ I listened to a heated exchange between past activists and today’s youth.   I was amazed!

We have come a long way in the past 40 years.

The youth of today are fighting everything for the sake of fighting.    The student movement is not really about ‘Fees falling’   it is about creating anarchy.   They are the privileged few who are ruining things for the’ have nots’!

The youth of today are the products of generations of children who have been deprived of proper education.   They have been disenfranchised by their leaders as they have not been afforded the very basic human right - the right to decent education.

Many of them are on the streets.   Unskilled, jobless and hungry and possibly dying of HIV AIDS!

You would think that those who have come up through the ranks and been afforded the privilege to attend University would have compassion enough to work hard and better themselves so that they can reach out to their fellow human beings. No they are causing anarchy on the campuses.

Where are the voices?

The voice of the Church!

The voice of parents!

The voice of the heads of other religions!

The voice of Business leaders!

The voice of the Government!

And more importantly the voices of the Public!

Wrong is wrong.   Unlawful deeds will be dealt with by the law.   Nobody is above the law!

Jonathen Jansen says in in his column in The Times newspaper (4^th August, 2016)

‘Institutions that were built up over decades, sometimes over a century, are crumbling before our eyes without a whimper from the public.   You are more likely to see anxious public reaction to mountain fires threatening homes on the False Bay coastline than to get a response to the imminent demise of our universities’.

The youth have no respect for their elders and why should they?   What have we done to earn their respect?

The buck stops here!

How do we change this status quo?

Each and every one of us has a role to play.   We need to stand together and say enough is enough.   No more anarchy in our streets, no more anarchy in our Universities.

Church leaders must speak out.   Business leaders must make plans to reach out to the youth to train them.   Government needs to weed out the bad apples, spend more money on service delivery than on their salaries especially where education is concerned, and parents need to take on their proper responsibilities.   The Police and the law courts need to jack up their systems and become efficient again.

Deal harshly with the perpetrators and leaders.   Open negotiations with the reasonable voices.   There are always answers to problems.   Get rid of the Corrupt.   Get rid of the drug dealers and traffickers.

Other countries can do it so can we!

Use your voice!

Where are the real South Africans?

Max du Preez says “ We’ve allowed racism to grow’  (The Witness Jan 14 2016) he goes on to say the white community has tolerated racism within it for 26 years and it is time to take responsibility.

Justice Malala says in the Times newspaper on Monday the 11^th January, 2016 ‘Dear White people: The “good old days” of apartheid were worse than you could ever imagine.   Don’t apologise –empathise!’

He goes on to say ‘the year 1994 did not change the racist attitudes of all white people.’

What is racialism?

The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as ‘belief in the superiority of a particular race; antagonism between races: theory that human abilities are determined by race’.

We all know that there is racism all over the world not just between blacks and whites.    We know that it has existed since time immemorial; it does not make it right!

Hundreds of thousands of whites, blacks, coloured and Indians in South Africa have crossed the cultural lines over the past 26 years.   They have reached out and shared their lives, their knowledge, their skills and their funds.  These are the real South Africans.   These are the people who have walked the extra mile for their fellow South Africans.   Where are they now?   You cannot tell me that we have all turned racist?

There will always be the members of each race who are fundamental and who will cause trouble for the sake of causing trouble.   Just look at the students who are disrupting the Universities.    They are disrupting the lives of their fellow students.  What for? 

For the majority of South Africans who are committed to a free and fair South Africa where are your voices?

Stand up and be counted.

Justice Malala says there is a word used by the ANC activists called ‘siyaqhuba’ which means ‘we go on despite the noise’.

I say to relevant South Africans ‘SIYAQHUBA’ –go on working toward reconciliation between our races.   Go on despite the noise and the great difficulties experienced by all races.   Go on despite the crime.   Go on despite the lack of education for the children and the disdain of the students for their privilege of having a University degree.   Go on despite the roadblocks in the Economy.   Go on despite the corruption and fraud.   Go on despite everything.  

WHY?

Because we want a strong South Africa for generations to come!   A strong South Africa for all races!

We have done it before we can do it again.   Reach out and help your neighbour.

RACISM ON ALL SIDES MUST NOT BE TOLERATED.

The School Cap

1997 in South Africa was a heady year!

Our fledgling rainbow nation was working together to overcome the scourge of the apartheid era.

Kwa Zulu Natal was right there leading the way.   The powers that be were breaking new ground in every field and hopes ran high.

Our family had chosen to move to KZN in the 70’s because of its progressive leanings.   People of all races lived together and respected one another far more than in other provinces as far as we were concerned. We embraced the elections in 1994 with jubilation despite the terrible war between the IFP and the ANC in the rural areas and the surrounding townships.   Finally we had all come together and put aside our differences and celebrated our diversity.

That year, 1997, a momentous occasion happened in Pietermaritzburg when two Agricultural Unions in the Province decided to join hands and amalgamate.    KWANALU. Kwazulu-Natal Agricultural Union was born.   This union was to represent all farmers in the province no matter what their colour or language was.

I had heard along the grapevine that a launch was to take place at the Royal Showgrounds and as I was Public Relations Officer for a relatively new school in town I wanted our school to be part of the proceedings.   I approached Lolly Stuart, the doyenne of Eventing, who had been tasked with putting the programme together and she said if we could sing the new anthem of South Africa (which very few school choirs could at that point) we would be included.   I was elated.   Our music teacher, Petra Byloo, had already taught the choir to sing this very important song and I invited the organizing committee to come and listen to them.

Mrs Byloo, a very talented teacher was very reluctant but with some gentle persuasion she complied and long story short we found ourselves heading off to the Royal Showgrounds on the appointed day.

Another first for KZN – King Goodwill Zwelithini, Dr Buthelezi, Head of the IFP and the President of our country, Mr Nelson Mandela were going to share centre stage!   Security was tight.

We shuttled the children from school in our school kombi which took several trips.   They were issued with white sun visors and they looked very smart in their pin neat uniforms.   White shirts and grey shorts, navy socks and blue tunics for the girls emblazoned with the school badge and motto ‘Deus Ducit – God Leads’.   We were so proud.

The programme was long and many speeches were delivered before it was our turn to shine.   I had decided that as a tribute to our President we would present him with a school cap.   As school caps had been phased out a few years previously at our school it had become a tradition to present important people with the highest honour our school could bestow and that was a school cap.  I wrote our school motto in the inside of the cap and ‘To Mr Mandela from all of us at St Nicholas Diocesan School.’

When I saw that all the dignitaries were seated in a marquee in the middle of the field and all the entertainers were positioned quite far away on the left hand side my heart sank.   How were we going to present him with the cap? Bodyguards and snipers were positioned all around him even up on the roof of the stadium.

I called two little boys to one side and instructed them to take the cap to Mr Mandela while the choir were filing on to the field but that if they were stopped by the bodyguards they were just to turn back and join the choir.   They agreed and off the children went following Mrs Byloo on to the field.

Our headmaster, a very English gentleman, stood with arms outstretched as he was holding the many little sun visors for the children up and down his arms.

‘Who would have thought?’ he muttered.

‘This is so surreal’.

I had to agree with him.   Who would have thought that we would be part of such a momentous occasion?

I saw the two little boys break ranks and I held my breath.   They walked directly up to Madiba and presented him with the cap.   The bodyguards did not even see them!

Madiba bent down and enfolded them both in a huge bear hug and promptly put the cap on his head and folded his arms.   A grin spread across his face.   The two boys scampered back to the choir and we all stood to sing the Anthem.   Tears poured down my face.   At last I felt that I was part of a country.   A truly democratic country!

When the anthem was finished Mrs Byloo started another song called ‘ mBube – the Lion sleeps tonight’ a traditional hunting song, the stadium erupted.   People were dancing in the aisles and the atmosphere was electric.   We thought the dignitaries would leave but no…

From the marquee a lone figure emerged doing his famous dance and he sported a navy blue school cap.

The children had been threatened to watch their teacher at all times but they could see a movement out of the corner of their eyes.   They found it hard to concentrate even with the firm, furious gaze of their teacher focused on them.

Madiba moved over to stand directly next to Mrs Byloo and the children grinned from ear to ear.   He danced and clapped his hands and when the song was finished he turned, took the cap off his head and shook Mrs Byloo’s hand.   I remember seeing her throw her head back and laugh.   She could not believe that the President of our country was standing next to her shaking her hand.   He thanked the children and then turned to go.

Tribal dancers from Fezokuhle School then came on to the field and led the dignitaries to where a lunch had been prepared for them.   The Madiba magic was broken but not before 50 odd little boys and girls had been touched by it not withstanding their teachers, their Headmaster and especially their Public Relations Officer!

That night as I watched national TV I was elated to see our school choir, Mrs Byloo and Mr Nelson Mandela featured in the slot on the launch of the new Agricultural Union in KZN.

Better still the next day on the front page of the Witness there was a lovely photograph of Nelson Mandela in his special Madiba shirt sporting a navy blue school cap and the headlines read ‘ Madiba Shuffle’.

What a red letter day for our school!

I wonder where the cap is today.

I dreamed of Africa!

I dreamed of Africa!

Have you ever read the book ‘I dreamed of Africa’?   It had a deep and wonderful impression on me when I was young and I always dreamed of travelling up to deepest and darkest Africa.   We never had the opportunity in our youth but now that we are nearing retirement the doors have opened.

We have been invited to a fishing lodge on the great Zambezi quite close to Victoria Falls. What a wonderful experience this has been!

After three days of travel through South Africa, up Botswana into Zimbabwe at Panamatenga and across the Matetsi Reserve we eventually arrived at Msuna Fishing Resort.

To say that we were in the thick of the bush would be to put it mildly. The people living in the Zambezi valley live very simple uncomplicated lives.   They have very little access to shops so live off the river and grow their vegetables on the flood plains which are very fertile.   We had to bring everything in with us even water to drink.

The friends with us are all likeminded and love the bush.   They enjoy fishing and are great to be with.   Such fun and much laughter.

We wake to the sounds of the Heuglin’s Robin which can repeat it’s call up to 16 times!   The fish eagle is our constant friend and the sound of the hippos chatting goes on right through the days and nights.   It is wonderful to get right back to nature and relax

Zimbabwe is in turmoil again as the people have not been paid by the government for months and the drought and cost of goods escalate.  Cross border traders are being hampered by government legislation and the poor get poorer while the rich stow their money in other countries.   Yet the people are peaceful, kind and their laughter rings over the valley as they go about looking after the herds of cattle and goats or fish in the river for their supper.   It is a very simple hard life yet they sustain themselves.

All along the road here we saw many churches and mission schools.    The children are being educated and they are enthusiastic about their education yet there is no prospect of doing anything with it after they get their M levels.

We visited a crocodile farm run by the previous manager of Msuna Fishing Resort.   He has leased a piece of land in the valley and is laying the foundation for a very profitable crocodile farm.   Apparently there is a great demand for crocodile skin products in America and Europe.   Handbags, shoes, belts, luggage, shoes, wallets.    You name it and they want it!

He has also introduced a wonderful water recycling system that will fully sustain his venture in years to come.   He draws water from the Zambezi at the moment but that water has to continually move to keep the crocs healthy so he takes the used water off into various ponds that have filtering plants and by the time the water goes through each pond it is ready for use again in the crocodile pens.    He has also planted an orchard and a vegetable garden which he waters with the filtered water.   He uses solar power to charge batteries for electricity in his home and is fully off the grid.   He lives alone as his wife is in Australia but he reckons he loves the life.   I am not sure I could live such a lonely life but hats off to him.   He is generating employment for the locals and income for himself eventually.

The life here is very colonial still.   All the houses have outside kitchens where men cooks are in charge.   The food is taken out at the beginning of the day and a menu drawn up. I am enjoying not having to do the housework and the cooking and am taking advantage of the time off to do my writing.

Africa is deep in my blood and although Ireland and Scotland and Wales are still on my bucket list I first want to explore my country.   I pray for Africa as it has seen so much destruction.   People have exploited her resources and plundered her minerals for their greed.   They have left empty mine shafts and crumbling old buildings and equipment in their wake.   Others are trying so hard to uplift the people and make it a better place for everybody to live.   There are schools and missions, clinics and hospitals.    If only they would work properly!!!

China has her eye firmly placed on Africa and there is evidence of them building roads in Botswana in a big way.    I only hope it is to the benefit of Africans!

God bless Africa, Guide her leaders, Guard her children and may Peace be with her eventually.  

Launch of my first Novel!!!

I have just published my debut novel on Kindle Books and am very proud of myself.   If I can you can too!  
After 7 years of hard work suffering writer's block and procrastination and interrupted by building a house, I have eventually realized my dream.

Please feel free to download a preview.   Go to

http://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Huguenot-Museum-Franschoek-Western-ebook/dp/B01E4HOSMA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460649965&sr=8-1&keywords=TWISTED+BLOOD+VINES

It is called TWISTED BLOOD VINES.

A STEP BACK IN TIME!

On our annual ‘trek’ to the Cape this year for husband to ride the Argus for the tenth time I decided that we would have to do a detour en route.   A step back in time for me!

I had been dreaming about the house and town I used to live in whilst a small child and had not visited in 50 years.   After my mother passed away I had found many photos of the town and civil society functions that both her and my father had participated in.   They are very important pieces of history and I felt compelled to deliver them into the hands of the people who would preserve them.   So a stopover in the city of WELKOM was planned.

At first my husband dismissed my request as ludicrous.   Who would want to visit such a backwater?   However he soon realized that I was serious and he capitulated and even entered into the fun of things mainly by teasing me a lot!

A bed and breakfast was found on the great Travelgound search engine and a very old friend of the family contacted to meet for dinner.   We set off from the heat of Maritzburg in March and arrived at midday in a very different heat zone.

In my mind’s eye Welkom was a dustbowl with very few large trees and shrubs and lots of wide roads and many circles.   I always remember the many dust storms we experienced when the ploughed mealie fields surrounding the town surrendered their top soil to the unrelenting wind and it swirled savagely through the centre.   I tried to explain to husband that he was not to worry about road names etc I would just lead him in the right direction as I expected the town to be exactly as I l had left it.   In fact I expected it to be a GHOST TOWN.  We had heard how mines were closing left, right and centre and how it was affecting small mining communities.

What a surprise we got!   The town had burgeoned to such an extent that the outlying ‘Koppie Alleen’, a small hill which was miles outside of the town and a real landmark, was now incorporated into the suburbs.   The streets were all still the same as the town planner had done an amazing job of laying out the town in the early 50’s and in no time at all I had guided husband to our old house.  

The house had been bought by an estate agent and was run as a business.   I went in to ask permission to take photographs and was welcomed with open arms.   They took us on a tour around the whole house and it was wonderful.   The house had been especially built for my parents by the company they had worked for in the 1950’s and a lot of the original features were still there.   The garden, originally designed by my mother had huge trees and many shrubs but what really caught my eye were the beautiful cannas and roses that bloomed everywhere.   They were my mother’s absolute delight.

From there I found my way to the school and the church my parents had been instrumental in starting and when I left were fledgling communities.   They were now green oases in the middle of the bustling city.   People from all walks of life sat on benches under the huge trees dotted all over the place.   Eating their lunches or just sitting contemplating.   We joined them and spent a wonderful few hours going down memory lane.   I was able to give the parish office photos of the church when it was just built and photos of the first service with the Bishop of the Free State of that time.   They were very excited to receive them as they had only recently started their archives.  

I also found the sports club my parents played bowls at and gave them the many photographs and speeches of which my mother had kept copious copies of. She had started the Northern Free State Bowling Association from there.  As a child I grew up on the banks of the bowling green and it was a huge endless world to me.   As an adult I looked at the area with different eyes but the memories it evoked were all happy loving ones.

The city of Welkom has become a thriving metropolis with malls and hotels, casinos and a huge Racing circuit for cars and motor cycles.   We were lucky to find a bed as the weekenders were arriving en masse for some big racing competition.

I have to say that we had a fun time exploring this backwater and would never have experienced this unusual city had I not been brought up there.   It was certainly a step back in time for me but an eye opener of how the new South Africa can work if we set our minds to it.

Road trip down memory lane!

Tomorrow we set off on a road trip down memory lane as we head to Cape Town for the Argus.
 
Our first stop will be Welkom where I grew up.   I have a lot of memorabilia belonging to my mother who started the Northern Freestate Bowling Association in the 1960's.   I intend giving it to Rover's Bowling Club where she was a founder member.

I am also meeting up with one of my brother's very old friends and we are going to dinner with him and his partner.
I cannot wait to see the old convent I started school at and the church where I had my first communion.   It is very vivid in my mind's eye.

From there we head to Beaufort West then the next morning we meet Hilda, my husband's sister, for breakfast in Laingsburg.   She farms close to the town.

What an exciting trip it will be!