“Amalinda”

Like a child without patience

I rushed in looking for acceptance

One of a kind my eyes too blind

To see the difference of you and you

Two worlds one space

Different minds of the Eastern Cape

I conversate to your click

But my words trickle with attempted sync

With a shine so bright

Clouds disappear out of fear

People salute the warmth

Offering praises with seasoned taste

But when sad the audience knows

Heavy tears are relentless

People disperse confused

At a unscripted heart

Fables express the former trust

Broken at the hands of a friend

Betrayed for the advancement of category

Centuries pass without pardon

I understand but you say I can’t

Creative politicking produces similar rants

Put down the book and listen

Pick up a pen and learn:

“My brother’s son is my son,

My sister’s daughter is my daughter

Weddings are a celebration

But funerals have become an indignation

Our children grow without the love of a Bantu

They toi toi when we say they can’t do

Liberators celebrated without water

Boyfriends second after becoming first Fathers

But if I grew up over there

My days would spent in a pool

Swimming with riches

Instead of walking two hours to school

My name would be pronounced with ease

Sleeping with love

Producing children

Not worrying about disease

Our struggle is simple

Determined to be me

A product of hope

The solution to longevity

Gentle child you are grown

With the spirit of knowing

Curiosity will serve justice

When I smile in good faith”.

- Jason Merai

Nov 20th _ “African Indian Odyssey”

These past couple of days I was able to visit my former University Professor, Jon Soske, see a bit of Johannesburg and learn more about the history of South Africa.

Jon, who is currently researching at the University of Witwatersrand, invited me to the launch of his documentary, “The African Indian Odyssey”. Sponsored by Saffron TV, the film reflects on the 150^th anniversary of Indians in South Africa by carefully tracing the transformation of an African Indian identity.

Seeing the film and Jon, are two memories to serve in my South African highlight reel. It is quite a surreal feeling to be seeing someone you knew in another country, here in South Africa. What’s more, who would’ve thought four years ago when I walked into his class that I would meet him in Africa. In fact, it was Jon’s classes, which motivated my curiosity to travel to this continent.

For my stay, Rani (whom was introduced in the Mpumalanga blog) put me in contact with her son and nephew. Although I had never met them before, the Chetty boys hosted my stay in Joberg and took me out to enjoy the city.

Johannesburg is a very wealthy city. It offers a mix of downtown Toronto with a Manhattan icing. The contrast presents the Eastern Cape on a complete opposite spectrum. It can even make one question if you are still in Africa. Then again the surrounding townships presents the checks and balance of this metropolis.

Being in Joberg furthered my understanding of the social engineering in South Africa. I experienced racism for my beard as well as my skin colour, I witnessed the intense social divide while feeling uncomfortable sitting in an Indian restaurant and learned more about Apartheid by discussing with a researcher on the ideological battles of “Charterist” vs. “Africanist”.

I only hope I can keep up with this exponential feeling of growth.

On another note, I received a reminder of home. While checking out a clothing store, Snow’s “Informer” came on. And the name of the store was “Markham” :) .

Nov 10th _“Without Walls”

Today my landlady, Lynn, took me to visit her NGO, Without Walls. It is a Christian organization, which serves the underprivileged living in Millner Estate. The area was made for the returning soldiers from WWII, but now is inhabited by the unemployed and drug lords.

Lynn, a Pastor by profession and a humanitarian by practice, started the organization with her husband six years ago. While setting up the organization, Lynn’s husband past away unexpectedly to cancer. Facing such hardship, Lynn endured and with the help of a few close friends, she was able to establish the organization in this depressed neighbourhood.

Lynn's famous red Conbie

At first, Lynn wasn’t welcomed, as she received numerous death threats and poisoned food. But this didn’t stop her.

Six years today, Without Walls serves as a school in the morning for children ages 3-6, then a soup kitchen at lunch and bible studies in the evening. The building they operate in is over 100 years old.

Lynn’s work has affected people in miraculous ways. Smit, who hands out soup, previously spent his whole life consuming hard drugs. The children who attend the school had no education prior, and thus, could not have been accepted into primary school. Unfortunately, the size of the building only allows for 42 children. Efforts to procure a bigger building, is what Lynn describes as being on her “prayer list”.

But the outreach does not stop there. Lynn dedicates her time to assisting the elderly who have been abandoned by their family. She helps move them from the “size of a toilet” residence to an old age home. The difficult challenge is that their pension only covers the rent to live. In response, Lynn organizes food and drinks for these folks. Moreover, Lynn goes door to door asking each child in the neighbourhood what they would like for Christmas. She then puts her whole efforts in achieving this, as well as providing a Christmas party.

Despite Without Walls hard efforts, Millner Estate remains a ravaged neighbourhood. Children are subjected to abuse and drug lords set the laws of the land.

This child pictured below was found walking alone on the highway. Her mother lives in Millner, but has no interest in raising her. The child, not even two, has grown accustom to finding food at Without Walls. There she goes and then she leaves, to again wander the streets. The neighbourhood brings her back to her mother’s, but soon enough, you will find the child back on the street. Lynn tells me usually this little baby is without clothes.

Donations are not constant but this doesn’t stop Lynn. She goes ahead with her plans and leaves the deliverance to her faith.

Lynn, a testament indeed.

Oct 22nd to Nov 1st – “Malawi/Once in a lifetime”

“The Sun is shining and the weather is sweet,

make you want to move your dancing feet”

- Bob Marley “Sun is Shining”

I had an amazing time in Malawi. My experience provided memories that will last a lifetime.

We first arrived in Malawi tired and restless after a five-hour plane delay. However, this had to be put aside as Kate and Clemens were being received by a “Send off party”. A family friend of the Kathewera’s (Kate’s family) hosted a party in their backyard. The ceremony was accompanied by music, home cooked food, drinks. The engagement served as a traditional manner, for Kate and Clemens received advice on marriage from key members of the family and close friends. Sipping on a glass bottle, (not a can) of coke, I received my own advice on politics from the former Minister of Defence. At the event, I also experienced my first “Peri Cana, Peri Cana”. This is a traditional ritual in Malawi, where money is being thrown at the celebrated individuals while dancing in front of them. It is much more enjoyable and energetic than the regular “envelope in the bag” received at weddings. After the party, we headed back to the Kathewera’s home in Zomba for a much needed rest. I took great pride in climbing under the mosquito netted bed. Along with the net, the cool breeze, the hot weather and the friendliness of the people, Malawi reminded me a lot of Guyana.

"Market Place"

The week before the wedding we spent traveling to Blantyre to follow up with last minute preparations. The Kathewera’s treated me as their own son. Sitting at the dinner table exchanging jokes with Kate’s parents, sisters, aunt, brother-in-law and Clemens, I really started to feel the presence of “home”. It is a feeling far removed since my arrival in the continent.

"Andrew and his son, Chicko"

Some interesting observations made of Malawi, was seeing the large amount of Indian and Pakistani diaspora, along with a huge Muslim population. Another interesting fact was seeing people walking freely in the streets well after dark. In South Africa, most of the streets are desolate after 6pm. Personal safety is not as an immediate issue as it is in South Africa.

The wedding was even more spectacular. The Catholic Church was done up magically with a Black Jesus residing over the altar. The church was filled not only with family and friends, but villagers as well. Following tradition, Clemens and I entered the church dancing to the sounds of the choir. There, Clemens received his wife from her Father and the ceremony ensued.

"The Bridal Party"

"Mr and Mrs. Kapler/Kate during Peri Cana, Peri Cana"

The reception took place at the beachside of Lake Malawi and was led by a poetic Master of Ceremonies. His oral skills would make Shakespeare nothing more than a peasant. Following my role as best man, I was required to give the “toastmaster’s speech”. Although it was 30 degrees Celsius I sipped a last drop of hot tea and delivered the speech. Included was an invitation to Malawi that the country had such a profound effect on me that it only makes sense to marry a Malawian woman. The results was much laughter, applause and the unexpected – invitations to meet daughter’s of the mother’s who attended the wedding. Nevertheless, Lake Malawi was a beautiful site to host the reception. I even stayed up to watch the sunrise.

"Lake Malawi"

The next day we were invited to Kate’s Grandfather’s cottage in Mangochi. He had planned a presentation of traditional dancers to honour the new couple as well as Clemens’s visiting family.

"Traditional Dancer"

On leaving Malawi, we were running late to catch our plane back to South Africa. However, the person in charge of the Malawian Military commission in Johannesburg was on the same plane. He is also a family friend and made the plane wait till our arrival. It’s nice to have connections.

The pictures and the videos provide a mere preamble to the memories of Malawi. We left far too soon. I will always remember my time there, especially the people I met.

These things happen once in a lifetime.

"Peri Cana, Peri Cana"

"Exiting Church"

"Traditional Dance Performance"