Saturday Musings

The early afternoon and the sun is going low on the horizon of a brilliant white landscape! What an experience! Our kitchen is filled with the aroma of chocolate crunchies. A pick-me-up gift and the sense of keeping busy and being relaxed at the same time. Today we spent the morning at a christening ceremony. The child received a box with gifts from the church. A dove, an arrow, heart, eraser, two puzzle pieces and a candle... Each item was an offering to signify that this growing young man is part of a spiritual community whilst being firmly rooted in his family. Much earlier in the day, I attended a funeral, in spirit at least. In Cape Town, my friend and his family in said goodbye to his father. A sad moment for us all when we have to pay our last respects. There are so many beginnings and endings. As we grow older we gradually learn to appreciate life more and more!

I have to move on though and share today's offering. It is something I wrote one year and one day ago (11 February 2010) and I realise that it is still something we have to think about. It is now 21 Years ago that Nelson Rolihlala Mandela took is final steps in our long walk to freedom.

Halla La Madiba Halla La!! Aluta Continua!
Forward with the struggle of all oppressed people!

20 Years of Freedom: is there Accountability

Will
I be called
Unpatriotic
Because
I celebrate
My free speech rights
By talking about
Your
Corruption
Stealing from the poor
Without regret
Common decency’s lost forever
Freedom’s respect

Will
I be considered
A traitor
Because
I left
My free nation’s shores
For no real reasons
At least to do with you
Only seeking
Less worry
A love
Renewed

Will
I be an outcast
Because
I was on the periphery
From the start
My small sacrifice
No significant part
Setting me
From the plundering stalwarts
A step apart

Will
I be able to accept
That we are continuing
To live with regret
Twenty years’ not enough
To blot out
A lifetime of plunder and neglect
Generations in parallel
Divided by rifts deep
As the tribes of the Middle East

By Simone Noemdoe, 11 February 2010, the memories of 20 years since the release of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is bittersweet.