Hello Mama

It’s me, Ulwazi…

I know I just spoke to you a few minutes ago, over the phone. But, I felt I needed to write this to you. Besides, it’s not like it’s a problem being obsessed with you. So, let me.

Mama, a few minutes ago, I had something in my left eye. Yes, the one that sees well. At first I thought it was just an insect, but whatever it was felt enthused the more I rubbed my eye.

I lost a nerve.

And, as always I was alone when I needed help, as all the people I could count were out of reach. I found myself even calling on strangers for help.

I didn’t need their money. In fact, I needed their skill to drive. Hell, I could have let them drive my car, considering that I couldn’t see properly to drive myself to the hospital.

While one of the only two people who responded intended to make seconds out of the long drive from far, the other one decided to ditch her fatigue, and plans to merely get home and sleep, and offered to come to my rescue.

Oh, the beautiful souls they are.

Mama ‘am, I panicked.

Abruptly, my mind was filled with thoughts. Thoughts about an issue we never completely discussed; an issue that has broken your spiritual limbs and dented your trust.

It was at that moment that I realised, I am stressed. In fact, that confirmed to me that the breakdown, or lack thereof, I have been questioning will come in pieces. Not in the manner the masses experience it.

My housemate’s mother must have thought I am disrespectful, given the way I figuratively annihilated her out of my way, as I performed the military slog around the house; an effort to pay respect to the ache in my eye.

Mama, what was happening with me? Do you think I need help?

Funny how I always weep when I am happy, yet I seem to have this ability to maintain a straight face when hit with deadly challenge.

Mama ‘am, do you think I am strong or I am good at faking it?

But, how do you do it, mama?

Happy read!

My voice against violence on women and children

While I may pride myself as an individual who is recognised for his exceptional work in relation to the communications and PR industry, I am keen on being acknowledged as a man who is ardent on issues concerning moral conduct in social spheres, at work and at home.

For that reason, my beliefs are sharply grim towards the ill-treatment of fellow colleagues, friends and strangers through discrimination or undue preference, in relation to their religion, gender, race, creed, sexual orientation or HIV status.

Consequently, as a way of observing the commencement of the annual 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children initiative, I would like to draw attention to the fact that violence against women and children is extensive and deeply ingrained in our society and the violence, to a large extent, is physical and perpetrated by men known to women as partners and friends, but even more so fathers. n

With that in mind, I would like to ask all the men in my cliques, at work and at home to speak and pledge against any sort of abuse of women in their surroundings. Of course, my wish is that this pledge is practised beyond the 25^th November 2012 to 10^th December 2012.

I, Ulwazi Dladla Mgwadleka, a son, a brother, a friend, a lover, a colleague and a neighbour, vow to escape inflicting verbal vindictiveness, or any sort of abuse to my female counterparts.

Happy read!

*This article is also published on www.justcurious.co.za

Xa ithetha

Ithi yakuthetha kuthi mandithi tu.

Ithi yakugushuza kunga ndingama nkqi.

Ithi yakuvuka kuthi kuthi mandizole.

Uloyiso lwayo luvuyo engqondweni,

De igazi liwutyhutyhe ngobuchule umzimba,

Ngelo xesha, intliziyo ijongile; ibukele ukondleka kwamehlo.

Ithi yakuthetha, kuthi mandihlabele elandincamisayo,

Ithi yakugushuza kunga ndingachul’ ukunyathela,

Ithi yakuvuka kuthi mawufe fi umbono,

Ibe zizihlunu kuphela ezinokuphefumla,

Imisipha izel’ ubom,

Ngeloxesha, umanyano liluqilima.

Ithi yakufuna, kunga ndingaba lisela.

Ithi yakungafumani, kunga ndingaphambana.

Happy read!

Listening proves to be a skill, still

While I may not quarrel one’s cooperation with Journalists in collecting facts, I am convinced it is an absolute slur to parenthood to admit to newspapers that your child came home after school minus his cellphone and some of his school items, further narrated to you that he was being bullied at school yet you, as the parent, failed to explore the rumour.

Had this woman listened AND heard when her child spoke, the ordeal that saw ‘good riddance of the dead’ in the lips of every pupil at Phineas Xulu Secondary School would have never happened.

Listening and hearing are two different things. Therefore, without the latter, we cannot expect a response nor should we anticipate a reaction.

Of course, this concept is betrayed by those who have not been heard and listened to.

Happy read!

Thabo (eradicate indlala)

I believe that education is indisputably the best instrument towards personal development. And, I also believe that the only way I can plunge back to being poor is if I make a blunder of the prospects education has afforded me.

I believe that education is not the only lawful and correct route to putting food on the table. And, I also believe that there are alternative routes, only they require the usage of your brain with a tinge of determination, underlined by a plan.

Know that I have come to experience worry concerning you and the challenges you have, academically. The thought of you struggling to finish high school raises questions to my abilities as an educated sibling; hence self-blame unceasingly appears to arouse the feeling of guilt.

I know that poverty is a ground that breeds an environment that is damaging to people’s development; mentally, physically and emotionally.

But, know that I have come to accept and understand that there are other options you can manipulate so as to create a comfortable life for yourself.

My duties as your brother can merely go so much as making sure that you obtain basic skills that could score you a desk in an office. It is only your train of thought and ambition that can perhaps move you from that small desk by the door towards addressing blue-chip executives in a boardroom.

I am well aware that a significant path out of poverty requires a robust economy that produces jobs and good salaries. And, I am also well aware that the impact carried through the ability to raise a productive workforce can last for generations.

Do yourself a favour and defy imitating the people who constantly speak of bridging the growing gap between poor people and the rich, while unfounded are the actual actions towards accomplishing this brilliant idea and instituting it to become observable efforts.

The same voices influence young underprivileged men and women to dream big, yet no one puts an emphasis on the idea of actually waking up and working towards fulfilling that dream. As a result, your neighbours have formed part of a generation that spends most of its valuable time complaining about the government that fails them.

Beats me as to what has glued them tight on the chairs someone else built.

P.S: indlala = poverty

Happy read!