Ranting of a Mad Black Woman (20 years since Mandela'a release)

 So a few days ago was the celebration of 20 years since the incredibly brave Madiba (Nelson Mandela) was released from Robben Island.

I was browsing facebook in search of interesting posts related to this very exciting day. Instead I came across this interesting piece of writing which I feel is more relevant to where we are since that 20 year release took place. Where we stand as a people. Or a snippet at least

I will let the piece do the talking (Thanks to Shikoh Gitau for letting me share this)

 

The ranting of a mad black woman – By Shikoh Gitau

"I usually note that i became racist when i came to south africa, and with good reason; i was brought up in a metropolitan town, with a large population of the asian and arabic community, went to school with them, played with them and did what most kids do and i honestly it really never registered in my head that they were that different. Given, they had a lighter skin pigmentation and i wanted their hair, but truly it really did not matter.

When, i came here all that changed, i became more conscious of my skin color and it does get to me sometime...but weeena today, i thought this race thing is madness, i was standing on a supermarket till behind an old white woman, i mean really old that she had started curling up.

In my very Christian and African upbringing i have been taught to treat older people with uttermost respect, so you can imagine my surprise when the supermarket attendants watched without flinching as the poor woman struggled to read the sum total of her purchase, as in she leaned so close to the monitor, that her glasses touched it; then painstakingly slowly counted out the money, at that point i would have offered to help but i feared that she would think that i am out to rob her. I watched as she begged the attendant to allow her push the supermarket trolley to the parking lot where she was being picked...can you imagine the nerve of the woman in stopping her.

Then the most heart wrenching thing happened she leaned back and whispered in my ear," thank you so much for your patience, you know i have a problem with my ears, and my eyes (obviously) and i have a brain tumor!!" i had not seen her face properly so true to all horror medical films i have watched, her face was twisted to the side, and one of her eyes was swollen. When it was my turn, i was almost in tears, the teller with a quizzical smile asked "why are you concerned?" (the nerve!!)to avoid deportation on grounds of assaulting a local (verbally and otherwise) i made my purchase and ran after the old woman and asked her if she needed any help, i give her this, she is a strong and brave lady, she said she needed to get to the parking space if i could assist her onto the lift.

I understand, there were some crazy white folks who were out to no good; but honestly do you have to take it out on someone who is inches from meeting there maker, what good will that do to you. I mean what does it take, in screaming out (if you have to) the total on the monitor and then helping to count out the total, does it take away human dignity in helping out someone that old onto a lift, and honestly where do you think that woman will take damn trolley, am sure if they walk around UCT they will find a few to replace it.

At what point does racism replace humanity. Would you want to be treated in the same way were you in her position.
I am really sad about this, but i am so mad, so mad that i am going to change me and my view of this black and white thing, i am human first!!!

Ohh yah it is 20 years since mandela was released!!"

The Power Of Failure

 I am a firm believer in the power of failure and its ability to unwittingly make you stronger, a better person or just to teach you an immesureable lesson you would otherwise never have learnt had it not been for that harsh or shocking experience of failing.

I found this video of J.K Rowling giving a speech at Harvard University. She is amazing. 

She is a great reminder that we are all capable of being great and of following our hearts and what we know is right for us.

She inspires me. 

This video has inspired me.

I hope it ignites the same thing within you. 

J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

Help Taahir Davey (4 years Old) to get a new kidney

So a young lady came into the shop I work in this morning and told me that I could help her with something. I thought to myself "Well, I'm pretty broke, so I'm not sure I will be of much use to you if its money you need".

But I decided to sit down and listen to what she had to say. She had lots of documents in a beat down looking envelope. I read the first page, which is an official letter from the hospital which serves as proof that the story is indeed  true.

This is the situation she needs assistance with: Her 4 year old son; Taahir Davey was born with a faulty left kidney, the doctors performed several tests and discovered that the left kidney is not performing its functions and will shrink as he grows older. He went for several test and recently it was discovered that the infection that had affected his left kidney has spread to the right kidney as well which was, until this point, doing all the work.

Taahir is currently making use of a dialysis machine in order to take the strain off of the struggling organ.

Fortunately a donor (9 year old girl) was found who is - according to tests - 98.7% compatible.

The transplant will cost R60 000 and is scheduled to take place on the 4th of March. The story was broadcast on a local radio station in Cape Town and have now managed to raise as much as R59 590 and now only require R410 to reach the critical target.

I don't know who might read this but if you feel you can help and would like to get in touch with Quantia Davey (23 year old mother of Taahir Davey) you can on the following numbers:
+27 (0) 73 888 6774
+27 (0) 21 448 8671

I have scanned all the original documents that she brought in with her including the out-patient history card. Which is attached below.

You could also call me if you would like any further information that I may be able to help with.
Email me by clicking here:

Taahir Born: 12/07/2005
First Date of DMSA scan: 12/08/05

Thank you for laying your eyes upon this even if you are unable to help.

Stumbled upon

Pssst... Hey... You!

 

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A thought that's been skipping along in my mind...

I’ve been toying with this thought: “What if I die soon and I, and the people around me, know how passionate I am on certain important issues in South Africa (and the world) and I happen to be killed under racist circumstances. Or simply die - minus the racism or other such drama filled situations that may lead to my demise. There would be no record of how strongly I felt about those things. There would be no unfinished book to read, tape to listen to or video. Documenting thoughts & feelings is so important.  I need to write more. More meaningful, helpful & conscious pieces. I owe it to myself & others.”