THE YEAR THAT WAS - 2013

 ON A PERSONAL NOTE

The post Contribution by All to Help Save a Young Life was, in my humble opinion, the best demonstration of the ubuntu concept ( 'I am because of others') I have seen this year in my personal surroundings. The way all and sundry in our street worked together to help the young man injured was impressive. Also, in this post was a vivid example of how the young take life for granted. In my language - Sesotho - we say, "Habo boyi ha ho llowe( At a coward's home they do not shed tears)". If you are outnumbered in a fight it is better to run away and risk being thought of as a coward. This way you will live to fight another day. 

   IN SOUTH AFRICA 

In this one - Tales from the Deep South, Part 2 - A Service Delivery Protest Up Close  - we got a glimpse here in Protea South of what the whole of South Africa would have been like had Tata Nelson Mandela not pursued the path of reconciliation with our former white oppressors. It was a microcosm of what life is like in a country ravaged by civil strife. In such a country nothing works. For example, there is no electricity supply, shops are closed and there is shocking lawlessness where marauding mobs run amok looting left, right and centre. 

Thank you, Tata.

   AROUND THE WORLD

Because Tata Nelson Mandela lived close to us and was in retirement( out of the public eye), it was easy to almost forget what a giant he was; easy not to remember how highly regarded he was
by the outside world.

Our memory was quickly jolted by his passing away earlier this month, after a long illness. After the world got to know about his death it seemed to stop in its tracks in order to pay tribute to Mandela. The memorial service in his honour was said to have been attended by about 100 heads of states. This number of heads of states gathered in one place for one event was reportedly the first of its kind in recent times.

This unprecedented world focus and attention on South Africa after Mandela's passing further 

emphasized the lyrics of a popular song we sing about Tata Nelson Mandela. The chorus goes something like this:

                     "Nelson Mandela, Nelson Mandela.

                    Ha hona ya tshwanang le yena( There is no one quite like him)."

                                       ======================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the year:

"I have fought against white domination, and I have fought

against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic

and free society in which all persons live together in harmony 

and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to 

live for and achieve.  But if needs be, it is an ideal for which

I am prepared to die."

Nelson Mandela ( from the book - LONG WALK TO FREEDOM)

                                             ======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU

FEEL GOOD IN 2013?

                                               =====================

May all our blog readers have a Christmas full of joy and a 2014 in which all your
dreams come true.

     

       

    

Robala Ka Khotso Baby Jake Matlala

   It is a late tribute this, we are aware.

Baby Jake Matlala - South Africa's former World Boxing Champion - was buried this past 

Friday( 13th Dec). He had passed away the previous Friday( 6th Dec) at the age of 51, after a long illness.

   Baby Jake Matlala was our hero when boxing was still hip and thriving here in South Africa. His talents in the ring - unbelievable stamina, great punching power etc - were the reason why some of us loved the sport of boxing. After Baby Jake retired from the ring it seemed like he took this golden era of the sport with him. Boxing in the country was never the same after he hung up his gloves.

   Farewell, my brother. 

                                                      =======================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the week:

"If life is a game, then those who succeed are those who know the

rules - but the vast majority of us don't even know the rules exist. 
The setting of goals is the most important rule of all."

Jack Black ( from the book - MINDSTORE)

                                                        ========================== 

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                           ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD TODAY?   

    

The DREAMS DO COME TRUE Tour - Part 25, FNB Protea Glen mall( Soweto)

                                           QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question/Comment( Zweli): "( Touching on the period of 16 Days of Activism For No Violence
                                                   Against Women And Children, in the middle of which we are.) The job of grooming men to be respectful towards women starts when they are young. And it is the responsibility of both parties( mother and father). I teach my young son to respect girls. I encourage him to be a gentleman by always helping a girl child when the latter is carrying a heavy load, for example.

Answer/Comment( Thapelo): "I cannot agree with you more Zweli. But I think the biggest 
                                                      influence on boy children comes from their mothers. If at home
a boy child always gets his way, he is likely to expect the outside world to dance to his tune as 
well. And when the world doesn't, he will resort to aggression/violence to get his way, especially
against weaker opponents( women in this instance).

Question( Zakes): "Did you( Thapelo) have to leave your 9 to 5 job to achieve your book dream?
                                 Couldn't you have written the your book in your spare time( on weekends, for
example) while still working full time?

Answer( Thapelo): "That's a very interesting question. Indeed most writers write their first book
                                  while still holding down a full time job. It is only when/if the book becomes a 
bestseller that they leave their steady jobs to go write full time.
To be honest with you I was not disciplined enough to use my spare time to write. I had been having this book dream for a long time and it was not happening. So I decided to take a chance at giving it my full attention and this necessitated me leaving my full time job.
But I must tell you that it was not easy. Trying to concentrate on your writing when there is not 
enough food to eat at home or when you have no place to stay is very, very difficult."

Question( Morne): "What you write in your daily journal( Step No 4), can you share with
                                                 other people?"

Answer( Thapelo): "From my experience, your daily journal is your own private space. It is where
                                  you will go when things are not going well on this journey to your dream. It 
serves as your personal motivational tool, especially at the beginning of the journey. This is 
the period when it is hardest to have faith. Other people my not necessarily see your vision.
Ultimately, though, it is your journal. You can share its contents with other parties if you wish."

   And so it went at this FNB Protea Glen mall DDCT talk. Getting to debate and discuss some points related to the talk was very refreshing.

                                                  SOME THANK YOU's
- Morne Tyatyeka( the Manager) - For the permission. And the sharing of ideas after the
                                                          talk. Hoping that your own big dream comes true, my
brother. You now have the tools( Ha! Ha! Ha!).
- Ausi Elga( the Branch Admin Manager) - For putting the logistics in place. And for 
                                                                       the welcoming chat before moving inside.
- FNB staff( bo- Zweli, Zakes et al) - For lending me your ears. 

                                                ==================== 

Our FEEL GOOD of the week:

"If we feed information and data into our subconscious mind/creative
mechanism to the effect that we ourselves are unworthy, inferior,
undeserving, incapable (a negative self-image) this data is processed 
and acted upon as any other data in giving us the 'answer' in the 
form of objective experience."

Maxwell Maltz (from the book - PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS)

                                          =========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?    

      

         
                                  

Lala Ngoxolo Tata Nelson Mandela

   Much has already been said about Tata Nelson Mandela since his passing away yesterday( 5th Dec.). Much about what he has done for us South Africans; much about what the world as a whole thought about him. And it is a mouthful.

   In our own small way we also want to pay tribute to Tata Mandela. 

       " You were a great inspiration Tata. The Mahatma Gandhi quote, 'We 

           must be the change we want to see in the world.' is so appropriate

           in your case. The way you lived your life said it all. Ta! TATA."

                                    =======================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the week:

"More powerful than my fear for the dreadful conditions to

which I might be subjected to in prison is my hatred for the

dreadful conditions to which my people are subjected outside

prison throughout this country...."

Nelson Mandela, The Rivonia Trial, 15th October 1962.  

                                     =========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD TODAY?    

    

    

100 Books Sold

   This week selling a 100th copy of our book - Feeling Good.

Needless to say, we are very chuffed. Only 4 more zeros to go until we reach our target.

Many, many thanks to our first 100 buyers.

                                             =================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                           ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD TODAY?    

The DREAMS DO COME TRUE Tour - Part 24, FNB - Main Street, JHB CBD

   I started my FNB life at this branch back in the old South Africa, when apartheid was about to end. 

   Back then 'darkies' with degrees were like gold. Upon joining the bank we were immediately put on an accelerated programme to become managers. A programme from which I later fell off unfortunately. I guess I was not manager material ( like bo-Katiso).

   But I digress.

   In terms of atmosphere, this motivational talk at the Main Street branch of FNB was simply one of the best I have done this year. That is because the audience in this instance was bigger, and they were all seated together in front of me( as if in a theatre). So whenever we clapped, for example, the sound came out as one unit. When we read from the book also, the voices were more united.

   And the often smiling, at times nodding, and occasionally clapping front row of bo-ausi Esther, bra Samuel, Mr Xulu et al was such a beautiful sight. If anyone thinks that I came across well during this talk, it is thanks to this row. They did wonders for my self-confidence.

   Finally, hearing the sound of the F-G clap long after one had left the stage, so to speak, was priceless. No amount of books sold can ever match this. It was an honestly humbling experience. "Ta da, Main Street."

                                                 SOME THANK YOU's

- Katiso ( the Manager, and a friend) - Thanks ho menahane my brother. The list is just too long. The metaphor of the talk being 'a wake up call by someone beating drums' was really neat.     

- FNB staff - For helping to create such a wonderful vibe during the talk.

- The following three staff members for their support in buying a copy of our book:

                     - Esther - 'Your words of encouragement about reaching our 1 Million target meant a great deal, sisi.' 

                     - Arthur and Katiso - 'Sisonke Bafowethu.' 

                                                ===================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the week:

"Use your imagination to see yourself in a situation that hasn't 
happened, picture yourself having or doing the thing you want, 
and successfully achieving the results you desire. This is what
visualization as a success tool is all about."

John Kehoe( from the book - Mind Power)

                                               ===================== 

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?    

                    
  
   
  

The DREAMS DO COME TRUE Tour - Part 23, FNB - Braamfontein

   Standing in front of an audience that was dressed more or less like me gave me a sense of

dejavu. And with their warm reception, it was as if they were saying, 'Welcome back home."

   Much, much love to the vocal group of ladies that were seated to my right. 'Big up' for their enthusiasm during this presentation. Whether it was initiating the F-G clap, or saying back the steps with me, or reading with me the poem for raising awareness about gender-based violence, this group was in the forefront. It is such liveliness from an audience that makes one want to do these motivational talks until the end of time.

                                                SOME THANK YOU's

- Ausi Winnie( the Manager) - For the 'Yes'. And the 2nd chance to redeem myself.

- Bongani ( mpintji yaka) - For helping to organize this gig.
- Ausi Vaneesa King - For the sweets.

- FNB staff - For making me feel at home.

                                                =================

Our FEEL GOOD of the week:

"VALLEY PEOPLE ...are stuck where it's relatively comfortable; they

seek the calm and shelter of the familiar. They may talk about change but

if it means hard work and moving away from what seems to be working 

now, then forget it.

MOUNTAIN PEOPLE, on the other hand, take the risk of winning to test

themselves on the toughest of terrains - life itself. They bounce back from 

bumps and bruises, they succeed, they achieve, they win."

Jack Black( from the book - MINDSTORE)

                                          =====================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                            ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?    

  

     

The DREAMS DO COME TRUE Tour - Part 22, Old Mutual - Gandhi Square, JHB CBD

   When you give the talk you do wish for the manager to be there. If your presentation is any good, you would like the person who gave you the opportunity to witness this.

   Sometimes we do not get our wishes though. The manager at this Old Mutual branch could not make it to work on this day( Wed 13th) of the talk because of an emergency. 

   Admittedly thoughts of the talk being called off did cross my mind. There are few things as disheartening as a cancelled presentation. 

  But the show did go on. And it was a damn good show, if I may say so myself. 

                                         SOME THANK YOU's

- Ausi Zanele( the Manager) - For the opportunity. "Hoping the little one is ok by now."

- Old Mutual staff - For allowing yours truly to soldier on nevertheless.

                                          ================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the week:

"The goals that our own subconscious mind/creative mechanism

seeks to achieve are our MENTAL IMAGES, or mental pictures, 

which we create by the use of IMAGINATION.

The key goal-image is our Self-Image. Our Self-Image prescribes

the limits for the accomplishment of any particular goals. It 

prescribes the 'area of the possible' "

Maxwell Maltz ( from the book - PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS)

                                          =====================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                            ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?    

The DREAMS DO COME TRUE(DDCT) Tour - Part 21, ABSA - Kerk Street, JHB CBD

   It is sometimes difficult to gauge how one is doing during the presentation itself. It is only after you have done your bit that you get idea of whether your message went down well.

   At this Absa Kerk street gig(on Friday 8th Nov.) the staff members were quiet and very attentive during my talk. I kept wondering if I am doing ok as I moved along.

   Real action - as in animated discussion - from the staff came after I was finished. In addition to wanting to browse through my book, the staff members wanted to know, for example, if this was my first book(Heita Mpho). Some of them were avid readers of self-improvement books(Heita Thabiso), like me. So after the talk was over we got a chance to talk about books we have read in common.

   This sudden lively conversation at the conclusion of the presentation was not the end of surprises from ausi Yvonne and her staff. While still highly enjoying these after talk discussions, I was told that I should so maar stay and have breakfast with them. It was an offer that truly 'floored' me. It made me want to abandon the whole DDCT Tour thing and stay there to work with these guys. 

                                             SOME THANK YOU's 
- Ausi Yvonne Pedinyane( the Manager) - For the permission, and the breakfast.
- Absa staff( bo-ausi Khomo, ausi Christina, Mesh, Mpho, Zulu, 
  Thabiso et al) - For making it very difficult for me to leave your premises. 

                                                      ====================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the week:

"Excellence in athletics - or indeed in any endeavor - depends
primarily on having a clear mental picture of your goal/dream."

John Kehoe( from the book - MIND POWER)

                                             ==================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                            ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?    

        

The DREAMS DO COME TRUE Tour - Part 20, Old Mutual - Braamfontein

   The group photograph we took with the Old Mutual staff members at the end of this talk was a highlight for me. It was a fitting end to a presentation that I think went well.
   It was with the grace of the manager and her staff that this talk(on Wed 6th Nov.) took place as per plan. On another day, at another place, this presentation would have been cancelled. That is because yours truly was a bit late in arriving. We continue to be grateful for small mercies.

                                           SOME THANK YOU's  
- Ausi Ruth( the Manager) - For your 'go ahead' and understanding.
- Old Mutual staff members - For hearing me out, and your liking of our 'F-G' clap.
- The 2nd, later 3rd, lady from my right - For your two 'F-G' clap requests. 'Much appreciated ausi.'

                                           ==================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the week:

"To succeed we have to push on to experience new 
opportunities, to look beyond our current reality.
There is of course a great sense of risk about all of this. It
is clearly easier to stay where and as we are, even if we 
are not happy with our current situation." 

Jack Black( from the book MINDSTORE)

                                       ========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                            ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?    

                   

Tales from the Deep South, Part 5 - A Course in Township Management(TM)

   We roam the township streets during the day when people are at work.

Seemingly, we are doing so aimlessly. But this is not so. There is method to our roaming.

We are students. We are doing a 'course' called Township Management(TM). The chief aim of this course is to teach people how to manage a township. And you do your learning by walking around the township streets; checking that everything is running smoothly ekasi.

   Anybody can study 'TM'. All you have to do is be at home on any week day and then walk the 'loction' streets during the day. And you can do the course for as long as you want because it is done for free. The 'TM' course is not exclusive to the Deep South kasi though. There are 'TM' students of all ages in every township in South Africa.

   We all have different reasons for doing 'TM'. Some of us are cheese boys/girls. That is, we are spoiled kids. We have no inclination to look for a job because our parents work for us. They provide for all our material needs. A large percentage of 'TM' students here in the Deep South in the 'bonded' houses section fall into this category.

   Other 'TM' students - especially from across( mekhukhung) - cannot genuinely find employment, for one reason or another.

   Whatever your reason for doing 'TM', we are all brothers in arms for now. Be it in the 'bonded' 

houses section or mekhukhung, we are all in this together. We must therefore support each other's

attempts to finish our 'TM' studies( ie to find employment) and re tlohele uku bloma ekasi( stop to lay about in the township).

                                           =============================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the week:

"There is within each of us a 'life instinct,' which is forever

   working toward health, happiness, and all that makes for

   more life for the individual."

Maxwell Maltz( from the book - PSYCH-CYBERNETICS)  

                                          ==============================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                   ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?    

   

     

   

   

           

"Congratulations Orlando Pirates. Break a Leg at the CAF Club Champs Final."

   "Mona fatshe batho ba Chiefs(ke rona bau), batho ba Sundowns, hammoho le ba bang. 
     Ntho ha ele ntle, e ntle.)
   (Jealousy down supporters of Chiefs(that's us) , supporters of Sundowns, and those of 
     other teams. A thing of beauty is a thing of f beauty.)

   The green-eyed monster may be consuming some of us( batho ba chiefs) inside, but we have to give it to Orlando Pirates. They have done a fantastic job in reaching the CAF Club Champions League Final. This feat they achieved by beating Esperance( of Tunisia) in the semi-finals by an away goals rule yesterday. 
   We have no doubt that Orlando Pirates will represent South Africa( and Southern Africa) well 
in the Final, which will be held over two legs. The first leg is to be played here at home at the Orlando Stadium on 2nd November. 
   As for the monster inside, we will just have to find other ways of taming it.

                                     ============================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the week:

"When I was very young, I visualized myself being and having
  what it was I wanted. Mentally I never had any doubts about it.
  The mind is really so incredible. Before I won my first Mr Universe,
  I walked around the tournament like I owned it. The title was already
  mine. I had won it so many times in my mind that there was no doubt 
  I would win it."

 Arnold Schwarzenegger( as quoted in MIND POWER by John Kehoe)

                                        =========================== 

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                            ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?    

                  
      

Freedom Fridays

   It is hard to believe. But, yes, next year - 2014 - South Africa as a free and democratic country will be 20 years old. Time has indeed flown by.
   With the above in mind, the South African government, Lead-SA and Proudly South African have initiated a project called 'Freedom Fridays'. Through this initiative South Africans are urged to start the celebrations from now( on launch date -20th September) until the actual 20th anniversary date - 27th April 2014.
   And the how of these celebrations? The minister of Arts and Culture - Paul Mashatile - put it thus:
       " People to do this( celebration) by wearing, every Friday, anything that expresses
          our pride in being South African, including the colours of the national flag,traditional 
          wear or a jersey of our favourite national team."

   Items that I will personally rock on 'Freedom Days' are:
       1. A mokorotlo hat ( sometimes called a Basotho hat).
              - This hat will say I am a Mosotho. A Mosotho whose culture is part of the many
                 diverse cultures that make South Africa what it is. A culture - like the other 
                 10 - that is officially recognized and respected.
       2. A Converse All Star takkie/sneaker.
               - I like the boot version of this sneaker better.
                 There is no other takkie that is as loved in South African townships as this one. Our
                  parents bought us All Stars back in high school. I bought myself All Stars when I 
                  started my first 9-5 job. Today as an adult - who not as fashion conscious as in my 
                  youth - I still rock my All Stars.
       3. A Bafana Bafana jersey.
              - The wearing of Bafana Bafana jerseys on Fridays to show support for our national                            soccer team in the past is what inspired the 'Freedom Fridays' campaign.
                 Our national soccer team may have failed to qualify for FIFA Brazil 2014, but we 
                 still love them. As our coach - Gordon Igesund - keeps saying, this failure has given 
                 us an opportunity to build a squad for World Cups after Brazil 2014.

                             ==================================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the week:

"Whatever we choose to think we choose for our lives.
   Think what it might be like if you could automatically think
   positively. Imagine the impact on your personal and business life.
   Envision for a moment your family, colleagues and friends being 
   positive. Instead of 'I can't' and 'It's impossible', what about 
   'I can' and 'I will'. What a cultural change to most of us."  

Jack Black( from the book - MINDSTORE)

                               ================================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                            ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?    

                             

Tales from the Deep South, Part 4 - Such Audacity(continued)

                                                       (CONTINUED)

   As neighbours we were also puzzled by these strange burglaries. There were rumours abound.
  Rumours to the effect that they were an inside job. This backroom tenant is the father of 'M'( of the post Contribution by All to Help Save a Young Life ). After that hacking incident the father had feared for his son's life and had unceremoniously shipped him back home in the Eastern Cape. 'M' would not have taken kindly to this move back home because he had settled down nicely here in Gauteng. He had formed close friendships and was starting to feel at home.

   Now the theory was that 'M' had secretly made his way back to Gauteng and with his friends' help had staged these burglaries. Firstly, to get back at his father for dumping him back home. Secondly, to show his father that he is vulnerable without him around. 'M' may have gotten into trouble once in a while while here in Gauteng, but the fact remains that he was always at home during the day when his father was at work. With him around no burglar would have dared to break in. 

   As an aside, to conclude, it cannot be assumed that because we have an informal settlement nearby we necessarily have more incidents of crime( like break-ins, for example) here in the Deep South. Instances of crime take place everywhere. While living in upmarket Protea North across the bridge - where there is no 'mekhukhu' - our family and many others there experienced break-ins. And these were perpetrated mostly by youngsters who were resident in Protea North itself.

                                     ===========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                            ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?    

     

Tales from the Deep South, Part 4 - Such Audacity

   You would think that the first priority for a thief is not to get caught. A fact that necessarily makes him want to be careful when doing his business; waiting for the right conditions before carrying out his dirty deed, for example.

   Well, that was 'Stealing 101' a few years back it seems. That is if a burglary experienced by a neighbour recently is anything to go by. The burglars in this case were just too brazen. So brazen that a tenant decided to pack his things and leave the Deep South after this burglary.

   In the 'bonded' houses section of the Deep South the yards are very big. The owner of the house sometimes - in order to supplement his income - builds a one room dwelling structure at the back of the main house and lets it out. In this case it was something like a 'mokhukhu'/shack(similar to those found across from us in the informal settlement area). It had a corrugated iron roof but its walls were made of thin pressed wood slabs. 

   A few days ago burglars came to this particular house/yard and broke into the 'mokhukhu'  through a side door while the the tenant was away at work. In the process they stole a TV set. But what made this burglary galling was that it took place in broad daylight with the occupants of the main house still at home. These thieves seemed to have had all the time in the world to take the TV. Because they still took a bottle of coke out of the fridge and drank from it while disconnecting the TV, leaving the half finished bottle in the middle of the room as they left. And during all of this the main house people never saw or heard anything.

   Having your TV stolen in broad daylight while there are people in the yard is devastating enough. But what nearly gave the mokhukhu tenant a heart attack was when the same burglars(we think) came back the very next day to steal his hot plate stove this time, under the same conditions - in broad daylight with people present in the main house who never saw or heard anything. In this second instance the thieves simply removed one of the slabs of the thin pressed wood wall to enter the structure. Gaining an entrance this way is something similar to dismantling a shack basically. It shows unbelievable audacity.

   Needless to say, the tenant was livid. He went so far as to accuse the people in the main house of having a hand in the two burglaries. Something he could not prove of course.

                                            

                                            ( TO BE CONTINUED )                   

Tales from the Deep South, Part 3 - People of South

   Sometimes it feels like we are in Giyani. There is a lot of Xitsonga speakers here in Protea South, especially across in the informal settlement area. They are by far the largest ethnic group residing in the Deep South.

   As a group the first thing you notice about the Tsonga people - most of whom trace their roots to Giyani( a town in the Limpopo province) - is that they are very musical. Everywhere you go in the Deep South there is Xitsonga music playing. Right now their hottest artist is Ben Mayengani. His 2013 release - 'Jelly na Custard' - is an anthem here. Every 3rd or 4th house around has this album. I love the title track('Jelly na Custard') myself. 

  They are also entrepreneurial. Ninety percent(90%) all fruit and vegetable stands in the Deep South are run by Tsonga people.

  After the Tsonga - in terms of numbers - come Basotho. These are Basotho directly from Lesotho( hae moo), with the heavy Lesotho accent and all that. At times it seems as if the bus from Lesotho stops first here our 'kasi' to offload. Very much like in the old days when our fathers came to the city of gold( Gauteng/ Johannesburg) to work in the mines, Basotho still come to Gauteng in droves to seek a better life.

   Thirdly, it is the other groups like Amazulu, Amaxhosa, Bapeli, etc. There is also a sprinkling here and there of Machaangane from Mozambique, whose language is similar to Xitsonga. Interestingly, this group does not have a problem with being called Mashaangane( unlike the Tsonga). They say this is what their ethnic group is actually called. Mozambique's first post colonial President - Samora Machel - came from their group, they inform us.

   That then, is who we are here in the Deep South, ladies and gentlemen.

                                                    =====================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                       ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?    

           

National Book Week (2nd - 7th September)

   It has been said many times before. But we are going to say it once more:

                     'READING IS AN EXCELLENT HABIT TO HAVE'

Monday(2nd September) sees the start of the National Book Week here in South Africa. In the next week (or so) the South African Book Development Council, the Department of Arts and Culture and the Department of Correctional Services urge all South Africans to promote reading in all its forms. The emphasis being on the reading of books.

   The statistics here in South Africa as far as reading is concerned are not good. We are told that only 14% of South Africans are readers. Even less people - only 1% - buy books. These low figures are of course largely influenced by the fact that a large number of South Africans are illiterate due to our past history of unequal education. But there is no excuse for those people who can read but don't.

   And in keeping with this year's theme of 'The Book of Our Lives', may I be allowed to list the top 5 books that have had the most influence on me. Books that changed my life, as they sometimes say. They are listed in no particular order.

         1. The Money Order, by Sembene Ousmane(Senegal) - This book was one of many set books we had to read for our BA degree studies. It details the battles that the protagonist goes through in trying to cash a money order. The setting is in post independent Senegal( or Africa). The ineptitude and corruption of the government officials depicted here is breathtaking. In addition to its exposure of corruption, I loved the way it gave us a glimpse of life in general in post independent Senegal in a well written tale. This book inspired me to aspire to become a writer.

        2. The Lazy Man's Way To Riches, by Joe Karbo(USA) - I saw an advert for this book in the old Scope men's magazine. I was blown away by what was promised in the ad - ' this book can show you how to get everything( not any one thing) in the world you really want'. Because I was in a mini depression at that time, after failing my first year at university, I fell for its pitch. I needed something to tell me that failing your first year is not the end of the world. When it finally arrived by post, all the way from the USA, I could not read it fast enough. Joe Karbo and his book introduced me to the whole world of self-help. I think he was one of the pioneers in the self-help field. Needless to say, this book lifted me out of my mini depression. I went on to finish my degree. And I have been a self-help junkie since then.

       3. Living Health, by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond(USA) - This book is the reason why I don't

eat breakfast. I only eat fruit in the mornings. It is also the reason why I know that meat(in all its forms) is not good for human beings. As a species we are designed to eat only plant based food - fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts etc. I have tried to stay away from meat and its end products, but have not succeeded. I discovered that this way of eating is too isolating in the meat eating culture that we live in. But I have managed to drastically reduce my meat intake. And I will keep trying to remove meat from my diet. The Diamonds in this book present a total health lifestyle package that also includes being kind to our environment. 

      4. Ask And It Is Given, by Esther and Jerry Hicks(USA) - It was the first time I had read a self-help book that did not say anything about doing affirmations, setting goals, visualizing etc. But this book somehow still managed to sound good to self-help fans like me. Most importantly, this book threw me into the Law of Attraction vortex that I am still in even today. What we put attention on we attract, the Hickses are saying here. And it is not them saying so, it is the Law of Attraction as presented by a group of entities called Abraham, who are channeled by Esther. Before there was The Secret (by Rhonda Byrne), there was Abraham. Long after The Secret flame has burnt out, there will still be Abraham.

     5. Personal History, by Katharine Graham(USA) - This has to be the best autobiography that I have ever read. Ms Graham's family owned The Washington Post newspaper, which is famed for exposing the Watergate scandal during the Nixon administration in the US. This book combines good writing and inspiration(for self-help fans) very well. It reminded me of why I fell in love with reading and writing in the first place. It pulled me back from the clutches of self-help books - most of which, I must admit, are not necessarily well written. After reading Personal History and loving it, I went back to read again my old varsity days English literature set books, most of which are considered literary classics. Books like Gullivers's Travels by Jonathan Swift, Nineteen Eighty- Four by George Orwell etc.                       

      

                                                ========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                       ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT BOOKS CHANGED

YOUR LIFE?

   
                       

What Do Women Want?

   "We want to be loved. We want to be cuddled. When things are hectic at home  ( or have been at work), I want my man to hold me closely and tell me that everything will be all right. Also, we want the men in our lives to listen when we have something to say. The soccer game on TV can wait. The braai with bo-Mandla can wait too". So said one lady.

   Another lady added, "We want a man to be a leader at home. A man - as the head of the family - must be in charge, just like the Bible says. Bo-Ntate le bo-Mme must know that what you do with your makhwapheni( lover on the side) may be hidden to everyone, but God sees everything. As ladies, we want to be respected and cherished as well. But I am aware that this cherishing and respecting starts with me. I must respect and cherish myself first as a woman".

   A gentleman also weighed in, "We are nothing without the women in our lives. A woman is a homemaker. Not a house builder, by the way. A house is not necessarily a home. A house is a lifeless structure. But a home is full of life and warmth and love. And these qualities are brought into a house only by a woman".

   These insights into what makes women's hearts sing, and what they mean to us as men, were given to us by some of the people who were in attendance at a belated celebration of Woman's Day ( 9th August) held at Altmont High School on Friday(16th August). The MC at this event had invited the ladies in the house to please tell us what it is really that they want from men.

   This function at Altmont High was organized and hosted by the school's male staff members to show their appreciation of their female colleagues. And I am sure I speak for every man who was there - both the invited male guests and the schools' male staff - when I say we all took the above pleas from the ladies to heart.

   I can also honestly add that, without a shadow of doubt, this was one of the best functions that I have attended this year. The 'feel good' factor during and after the function was unbelievably high. 

                                                      Some Thank You's

Ma'am Baloyi ( the Deputy Principal) - for 'Insights - Part 1'.

Ma'am Shubane - for 'Insights - Part 2'.

Komati Mashile ( the MC) - for a performance from the top, top drawer. "You should start charging."

Ntate Baloyi ( SGB member) - "A house is not a home indeed, ntate."

BaBa Mthethwa ( SGB member) - for your attendance.

All the ladies and gentlemen in attendance - for giving this event its energy, vigour and excitement.  

                                               ==========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                       ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

                 
                                                      
                                                        

                                                                 
  

Tales from the Deep South, Part 2 - A Service Delivery Protest Up Close

   We have only read about service delivery protests. We have never really experienced a service delivery protest here in Protea South. This past Thursday( 8th August) this phenomenon finally arrived in our 'kasi'. And it was not a pretty sight.

   We woke up to barricaded streets on Thursday morning. Rocks, stones and all manner of 

items( cement slabs, etc) were used to stop vehicles from leaving or entering Protea South. It was not only the streets inside the suburb that were blocked. The bordering roads - like the Chris Hani on the east side and the Ndaba drive on the north side - were also blockaded.

   Our neighbours from across( mekhukhung) had decided to make known visibly - on that 

day ( Thursday) - their grievances about the unsatisfactory living conditions in their part of Protea South. Primarily, from what could ascertained, this protest was about the lack of electricity in the mekhukhung section. Secondarily, there were other issues like the lack of proper sanitation, the proliferation of Pakistani - owned spaza shops( small business entities selling groceries, run from private homes), etc etc. 

   Inevitably, this protest turned violent. The protesting mekhukhung residents became engaged in running battles with the police. The police used rubber bullets to try and disperse this crowd of protesters. In the process some protesters were hurt by the rubber bullets, while about 19 of them got arrested.

   The police become involved after the protesters - in addition to vandalizing property - started looting the shops around the area. One wholesaler on the Chris Hani road - owned by an Indian - suffered damage to the value of R70 000( or so). And it was not just the shops around the area that felt the effects of this protest. The nearby mall - Protea Gardens - ended up closing because the Eskom transformer supplying it with electricity was vandalized, which left the mall without power. The whole of Protea South suffered the same fate( of lights out) later that evening.

   As fellow residents of Protea South we do understand where our neighbours are coming from. We are witness to some of their problems as we live next to them. But what we do have a problem with is the anarchic and violent nature of this protest. These kind of protests belong in the old South Africa. Today we have elected representatives( local councillors) whom we can engage with, or vote out of office if needs be. Besides that, the Protea South mekhukhung section is now a transit camp of sorts. There is process in place move to the mekhukhung residents to a better place called Luferheng. This new place has proper houses and a better infrastructure.

   That there was no loss of life during this mayhem is fortuitous. As residents of  Protea South we should all be grateful for that.

                                          ============================= 

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                 ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

                      

      

              

Tales from the Deep South, Part 1 - Protea South, My 'Kasi'

   The Protea South suburb( 'kasi') is located next to that of Protea North. These two suburbs on the outskirts of Soweto are separated by a small river( a stream really). And like the north-south divide all over the world, Protea South( 'South' for our purposes) is not as well off as Protea North('North'). It is a poor cousin of North.

   We - as a family - used to stay in Protea North. But when we fell on hard times, North was unforgiving. Valiantly, we had tried to remain in this 'kasi'. In the end we had to read the writing on the wall. As some so called family friends kept saying( behind our backs): we could not afford to stay in upmarket North any longer. So we moved out. 

   The South on the hand, welcomed us with open arms. The peace of mind that came with moving into this suburb was unbelievable. The constant struggle to keep our heads above water while living in north had been tiring physically and emotionally. The South - relatively poor as it was - proved to be a breath of fresh air.

   To most outsiders Protea South appears to be a mekhukhuland( a place overrun by mekhukhu, which are corrugated iron dwellings/houses). A perception that - to be honest - is not totally unfounded. But there are other types of houses in the midst of these mekhukhu. We also have the RDPs( four-roomed government issued houses) and 'bonded'( bank-financed) houses. In addition, there are the 'madala'( big old previously white owned) houses. 

   The 'Deep South' in the heading above refers to the area of South where my family lives. This area is deep inside South. It is an area of 'bonded' houses( numbering 50 or so) that is completely surrounded by mekhukhu. To the left, right, back and front of us is mekhukhu. The tales in this series will come mainly from the relationship between residents living in 'bonded' houses and those living in the surrounding mekhukhu. This co-existence is challenging at times. Mostly, it is peaceful though.

                                             =======================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                 ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

                      

         
   
         
     

The DREAMS DO COME TRUE Tour - Part 19, Reasoma High ( Grade 10s), Protea North

   In football( or soccer) they call it lack of match fitness. 

This is when a player exhibits rustiness when playing in a competitive match, after not having played in such a game in a long time. The player will seem out of touch during the game. When in possession he may not anticipate his fellow players' moves into empty spaces. If he is a striker, he may shoot way over the bar when attempting to score.

   The solution to this malaise is that the player must get more game time. He must play more competitive matches.

   During this DDCT Talk to the Reasoma High Grade 10 students I felt like a player who lacked match fitness. Even though I have done quite a few of these motivational talks already, I was nervous in places. I did not flow the way I wanted to during this talk. This Grade 10 group was not even that big as to appear intimidating. It was only one class ( out of a possible three).

   In trying to find the reason for my unsteadiness in this instance, I surmised that it must be due to the fact that I had not done a DDCT Talk in a longish time. The last time I gave this talk was about two and half months ago( at the same school incidentally, to the Grade 12 students). Like a player who lacks match fitness, I had become rusty from not having spoken in front of a live audience in a long time.

   I needed to get more game time, I concluded. I must grab the opportunities to give DDCT Talks whenever and wherever they present themselves.

                                                      SOME THANK YOUs

Ntate Mathetsa( the HOD) - for arranging this talk. 

This Grade 10 students group - for hearing me out.

                                            =========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                 ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?