Things Put In Perspective

I complain about the fact that sometimes we don't have electricity here in my 'kasi'.While at it, I may even complain that temperatures here in South Africa are starting to dip,meaning that winter - not my favourite season - is on its way.

But all these problems of mine pale in comparison to those of somebody who cannot speak or hear.The reality of the world of the mute and deaf was brought home recently when we acquired neighbours who can neither speak nor hear.

We do our best to communicate with them using rudimentary sign language.But the whole question of how they experience the world has suddenly become paramount for me.I keep wondering what it is like to be mute and deaf.Is theirs a world of total silence?How, for example , do they hear an approaching car?Does it not feel a bit lonely to be in this sea of chattering masses where you can't join in?

Having said that,our neighbours are definitely not candidates for being pitied.Their lives continue at full speed.They go to work by public transport(taxis) like everyone else.Sometimes we hang out together to watch a soccer game(or two) on TV.

One of them was actually able to speak and hear when young.Things changed when he was 8 years old.Overnight it all went silent for him.And naturally people speculated about the cause.It was mainly believed - in that rural set up he grew up in - that 'Ke ntho tsa batho'(It is witchcraft).

Living in close proximity to Thembelani and Sango has starkly reminded me of how lucky those of us who can speak and hear are.Instead of complaining about this and that,we could do more with appreciating what we have.That the price of petrol is now R11.05 here in the Gauteng province is not really major in the scheme of things.

Even better than not sweating the small stuff,we could do with learning the sign language.This would make it much, much easier for the mute and deaf to communicate with us,and therefore not feel that excluded.


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