The Dear Black Man: My Grandfather S'nama Boyce

#DearBlackMan Thursday: while in other parts of Africa and the world the oppression of women prevails, I salute this #DearBlackMan who is my late grandfather. It is because of him that I have never believed that I was an inferior species because of my gender. As a little girl I noted that he never gave anyone the opportunity to believe that females were less than males. This was evident in how the chores were distributed. A girl was expected to be able to perform traditional male duties. Boys were also expected to be able to excel in all things. This is my grandfather. Legend of legends. The man who baptised all his grandchildren with kisses until the day he died. He was many things but today I must honour him for this.

I also honour the majority of men in the Eastern Cape. They could be men in the streets or in taxis or else where but I have admired and continue to admire the way they treat women with honour and the way they respond to men who don't. Sometimes I meet men young and old in the streets who go out of their way to honour me as a woman. Sometimes I think it maybe because they are making up for men who don't. Power to the #DearBlackMan you are a healer of the female soul.

The Hudsonian and the pie

I had an encounter with a school going boy. We were both in a queue for the best pies in the world called Shamrock pies. (only found in the Eastern Cape, esp. EL). This boy was hanging his arms on a food counter like he was expecting to be unattended to for a very long time. He was wearing a white shirt, shorts and long socks which meant that he was still in primary school. I interrupted his unpleasant wait and asked: "Is there anyone serving here?"
He turns around almost to inform me why he waited with such defeat.
"No. This alwaaaaays happens. They always take forever."
I said:"All you need to do is call them and they'll come and serve you."
Indeed, I waved and called. A tanned almost shrievelled up white lady responded immediately.
I said to the now fresh blond boy:"Look, I told you. All you need to do is just call."
He cheered up. He couldn't believe it worked that easily.
He was the first one in the queue so it was natural that he should be the first recepient of the world's best pie. This boy refused to order before me.
"No you order first." He cheerfully insisted a few times. Eventually I accepted.
I was so proud of him.
He was a tall boy with such good manners. I thought I don't remember kids in my day being this lovely. More so he was a Hudsonian. He had a red eagle on his shirt.
I did not tell him that I too was an old eagle.
I left singing to myself "fearless as the eagle,... honour and justice we will always uphold. Tentando superabis by endeavor we'll succeed..."
At my next stop I had to practice the same patience offered to me by the eaglet to a granny.
I then contemplated if there should be a #DearWhiteBrother in response to the Oscar story.  After all, Byrandt blessed all women on Saturday. He released a heavenly blessing and affirmation over women. He was wearing his African shirt. He too is a dear white brother.

Mona Eltahawy

On Friday night I also discovered a new name. One I intend to come across more often: "MONA ELTAHAWY", Islamic Feminist and Egyptian-American writer. she speaks like a British citizen though which made her all the more musical to listen to. She is sensational. She is the embodiment of courage. her head is like waves of fire. 

She spoke with the boldness of a lioness but without forsaking the grace and beauty of her femininity. She was on Aljezeera Head to Head a debate that really was head to head. It was gripping particularly that it was addressing unfamiliar topics to me.  I am not very exposed to much Arabic, Middle-Eastern political and religious topics. I watched it by mistake and then I couldn't switch it off.

Xhosa clicks for International Language say

This is from a portion of my poem called "Xhosa introduction Poem"

Love - the reward

Love is not a sideshow. After all the amazing things have been accomplished. Love is the main the story. Love is the accomplishment.

Justice and Mercy in South Africa

If people understood the importance of relationships in South Africa they would do everything in their power to make them happen cross culturally, between the rich, poor and middle class. You have no idea the difference it makes when justice has a face, and not just any face you can dismiss but one you love wholeheartedly. You will think very carefully about what and how and if... the way you will navigate between justice and mercy will matter... Without relationships you do not care about mercy. With relationships mercy is everything... but for the love of truth, for the love of God, the love of His children, justice and mercy must be together...

Dear Black man

#DearBlackMan

I see you every day. I see how you protect pregnant women in taxis. How you step up to correct and guide your neighbour's son like he's your own.

Black man you are far from being a lost cause. Let this be your year I'm tired of hearing just the bad stuff. I'm exhausted by how you have to justify yourself because of the others who have forgotten who they are. The others who are dying to believe in their own light too. The others whose humanity is desperate to be restored because they couldn't survive their harsh realities.

Dear Black man - this is your year.