This is for the broken-hearted

Today and especially tonight I remember and hold in my prayers those aspects of self and my fellow human beings who are experiencing a time of darkness that makes the promise of the returning light feel like an empty daydream. For all those who are feeling lost in the darkness, overwhelmed with loss, unsure of their ability or willingness to continue...may those individuals or aspects of...self ...lean a little into the faith of those who, in this moment, remember and experience the promise of the returning light. For all those sitting in the darkness of confusion and not-knowing, of grief or despair...may they feel tonight that someone sits with them, holding in their hearts the seemingly impossible promise of the growing light

Time heals

Time forces us into a corner, wags its finger and cautions us to move on. This happens in the form of friends, neighbours and colleagues. They are the transport out of our misery and sorrow. The hugs, the genuine "how are you?" in our daily greetings. That's time. It heals. Very slowly though. Sometimes I'd want to stay and mourn forever because I felt a smile was betrayal to the one I mourn. But as time goes by, I feel left behind. I want to move on or else I risk exploiting the hugs, the genuine "how are you?" and the support of friends. So time pulled me aside, wagged its finger and told me to move on. And I submit. I have time on my side. Good morning friends!

Enjoy Responsibly

‘Racism without races’

‘Racism without races’

I don't understand why phenomenon like Greek mythology and cultures of people in the west and some in the East, are glorified and seldom questioned. Few days ago when I was interviewed on Talk radio 702, people called for scientific proof before they could take African traditional healers seriously. the condescending attitude and disrespect shown is a clear sign that we are far from living in a tolerant world. We cannot live side by side especially when we have different beliefs, religion and sometimes the colour of the skin is a barrier.

If you are from a culture that verifies its heritage and history using scientific data collection, that is not the case with me. I am insulted by anybody who questions my traditions and customs. i take offence that you want me to prove so you can believe. It is not your tradition, it is not in your blood and you don't have to believe in any of it. But I do demand respect.

I have been desensitised for a very long time by people who are just bigots and prejudice other because of their creed, race or sexual orientation. However this time I thought it is time that I stood up to quell this fire trying to extinguish our traditions. I have been called a faggot, I have been called a Kaffir and now that I am Sangoma I am called a devil worshipper, liar and a savage. I cannot wear my beads with pride because uncultured people who do not understand our way of doing things oppress and insult us.

I will not be a victim because I know where I come from. I totally understand where I am going.

Aids in my family

I always get nervous when the 1st of December nears. This is the time I take stock of the people I have lost to Aids. This year reached its record high. But I am proud to say two lives were saved and I was part of the rescue. People should not die of Aids. No this year. Almost a whole generation was wiped out by Aids. But now I can afford a smile and say that I have cousins that are on anti viral medication. They did not slip away like many more who have since died.

I saw the pain in some of them, I helped nurse others back to health in the hope we will have good times again. My hope was dashed and they succumbed to the pandemic. My family is like an amputee. Simply because we cannot replace the lives of Michael, Anna, Sipho and their children. Both sides of my family are reeling from the deaths.

The last two months have been difficult as the new cases of the same kind. Every time the phone rang we would look for each and wait for the brave one to accept the possible news of another loss. But it was not to be. We did not only cry for help, but we stood together and fought to save the lives of our family members. Like thirsty amputee, we crawled to the waters in the distance and quenched our thirst.

But Aids in my family remains a little demon in hidden in our midst waiting to pounce. I pray for good health every day. May the gods hear us. May God heed our call.

GOOD BYE FREEDOM OF SPEECH

We are counted down to one of the saddest times since the new dispensation in this country. A secrecy bill is about to be passed into law. That means journalists may never expose corruption by high profile people and politicians. Had this bill become law at the beginning of the year, South Africans would not have found out that former minister Sicelo Shiceka, abused public funds to pay for luxury hotels stays, limousine services and first-class air travel tickets while flying for personal reasons. This has led to widespread calls from opposition parties for his dismissal. We wouldn't know about Bheki Cele's alleged involvement in the multi-million rand lease scandal.

The government is displaying its arrogance by not listening to the need for transparency. Millions remain in poverty, while a few elite steal from public funds. And we are expected to sit quietly in our corner and turn a blind eye to this tragedy. It is sick

I will join many media practitioners, NGOs and other lobby groups in protest against the Secrecy Bill.

SA denies DRC gay man refuge

A Democratic Republic of Congo citizen is fighting a Home Affairs decision to refuse him asylum seeker status in South Africa. But, Charles Ngoy is not fleeing his country of birth because of war. He says he wants to live in South Africa because he's free to be openly gay, and wont be persecuted because of his Albinism.

Rights groups say he has a case, but Home Affairs say he doesn't qualify for refugee status.

Charles Ngoy is fleeing a war of a different kind....one of prejudice. He says he left the Democratic Republic of Congo because of persecution from being openly gay, and for being an albino. But Home Affairs has rejected his application for refugee status, and now Ngoy fears being deported.

"In DRC have never been arrested for my sexual orientation but i've been discriminated by Congolese people, by friends by family because that life is not an easy life. Also I'm facing double persecution because I'm an albino...
in Congo, if you are albino, and you are not protected by your family it's very difficult because not everyone in Congo likes albinos."
While Congo does not have any anti-gay laws, Ngoy says very few Congolese are openly gay. He also says that albinos suffer violence and victimisation in the central african country almost daily. Refugee Rights advocacy group Passop says while Ngoy is not fleeing political conflict, he does have a case. They say South African government could be putting his life at risk if they refuse to grant him asylum seeker status.

The case of Charles is not the exception, it's the norm. We're seeing more and more cases like this," David Von Durgsdorff Of Passop told the eNews Channel.

Extremely vulnerable, clearly having legitimate grounds for being refugee here being turned away.
Home Affairs says Ngoy can't prove he's suffered any violence or that he will be harmed if he returns.
The department says its decision is backed by the UN's criteria on determining Refugee Status.
Ngoy says he will appeal the decision.

30 years for David Kato Killer

A man who confessed to murdering a gay Ugandan activist by beating him with a hammer,
has been sentenced to 30 years in prison. Enock Nsubuga was sentenced by a High Court in Mukono, after admitting to have murdered David Kato. Kato, one of Uganda's most prominent gay campaigners, was badly beaten at his home,and died on the way to hospital.

Before he was murdered in January, Kato had been featured in a controversial newspaper, that had revealed the identity of homosexual individuals, and called on the government to take action against them. Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda. The country drew international contempt, when an anti-gay bill proposing the death penalty for homosexuals, was presented to parliament in October 2009.  

Technically the Ugandan government fueled hatred by suggesting the death penalty. Now a life is lost. I am sorry but 30 years in prison is not enough consolation for this hate crime. Nothing will replace the life of David Kato.

Tsvangirai is not a man of his word!

He should have stuck to his religious beliefs and slammed homosexuals in the BBC interview. He just U-turned and decided that gay rights are human rights. I do not believe a word he is saying. It is another stunt he wants to pull just before the elections. I do not blame the gay lobby groups in Zimbabwe who have welcomed his new stance on basic human rights for gay people in that country. When the situation is so desperate, just like in Zim, you can only accept any breathe of fresh air that comes your way.

But I urge everybody to welcome Morgan Tsvangirai's new stance on homosexuality with caution. If he is ever propelled to the seat of power in Zimbabwe this might just change. If it does not change, gay and lesbian People may not even be a priority for his government. I still believe that current president of South Africa is homophobic. Despite his sincere apology. He was about to become a president of a country that allowed same-sex marriages. There was so much to lose. He was pressured to apologise.

Malawi jailed two gay men. Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were facing imprisonment for loving each other. None of the African leaders who believe in human rights for all condemned this ridiculous conviction. It took Ban Ki-Moon to get those two human beings to be released and their conviction and sentence overturned. I believe in the sovereignty of our neighbouring countries. But any true advocate of human rights should always be ready to defend his cause.

And so I don't believe Tsvangirai is a man of his word! Finish and Klaar!

ANC finally grows some balls

South African politics are just the best in the continent. The ANC Youth League firebrand leader has been shown the door. Does this mean the of Julius Malema's political life? I shrug my shoulders without a clear answer. I also don't know if this is a case of Karma for Malema. He single-handedly unseated former President Thabo Mbeki. And now he is booted out.

Although it took them too long, the ANC has had enough with the young man. He was beginning to be a huge burden to the ruling party. It was once again demostrated that the ANC is way bigger than any individual. I reckon this is the best decision they have made in years. Congratulations ANC!

South Africa sitting on ticking time-bomb

I would like to take this opportunity and congratulate South African young people who made history this week. They marched from Johannesburg to Pretoria all in a bid to demand economic freedom. Many young black professionals are without jobs. There is no equal opportunity between young black people and white people in this country. I am one of the people who blame this tragedy on the Codesa negotiations, in which banned political parties sat with the apartheid government and sold us out. They settled for political freedom and let go of economic freedom. The political freedom they got ensured a certain future for themselves and their children. We still live in poverty.

The past was more than unfair to the black people of South Africa. I however have reservations about people leading the marches against economic inequality. Julius Malema is accused of enjoying kick-backs of government tenders. He has no university degree, lives in an upmarket suburb and drives a Range Rover. It is very difficult of join in a cause led by people like him. As my friend and colleague Iman Rapetti said, there is something raw and honest about the march.

Many commentators were too scared to endorse and support the marchers. But i believe that deep in their hearts of hearts, they know the truth. So many of my acquaintances were tweeting and updating their facebook status using their iPhones, Android and Blackberry smartphones, rebuking and ridiculing the marchers.

Fortunately there are people like me and Lucky-Girl Lekganyane who survive poverty and make the best of what we have. And so we are able to see such people and defend our long road to economic freedom.  I saw one update from a facebook friend of mine who said, “How is marching going to solve your problems. We are going to be stuck in traffic for nothing.” At least she has a car that she will sit in comfortably when my borthers and sisters brave the heat wave and run just to make a point to the people who are at the helm of our economy.

Most of the people in the march cannot secure meetings with people in power, they cannot secure job interviews and someone out there is worried about being stuck in traffic. Someone in my neighbourhood is not sure if they will have dinner.

Something unpresidential about this man

The same man who survived corruption charges and acquitted on the rape charges and then propelled to the most powerful position in my country is now cracking the whip. He fired two of his cabinet ministers who were exposed by our Public Protector Thuli Madonsela. In my view, she is the “man”. The rotting behaviour of our cabinet ministers has been overlooked for too long. But we should commend the president for his actions which included the suspension of the police commissioner who is also embroiled in allegations of massive corruption.

Getting deep into politics, it is highly unlikely that President Jacob Zuma will see another term in office. This is the man who was elevated to power to spite Thabo Mbeki who was hated by a strong faction of the party. Zuma was not elected because he was loved, he was used to disrespectfully oust Mbeki. And now we see from the way he reads his speech to the way he avoids answering questions from the media without being briefed. There is just something unpresidential about him. but his gripe with the powerful youth league is way deeper than that.

There's already talk of Kgalema Motlanthe becoming the next ANC president. Julius Malema made it clear at the march for economic freedom that Zuma is history. This is despite Malema facing expulsion from the party. I dare the ANC to expel Malema after making history of drawing thousands to Pretoria to the economic freedom march.

We are living in interesting times. But my wish is that when they engage in their fight for power, they also remember those black orphans who lost their parents to HIV. I pray that they will remember the gogos who are trying to make ends meet with their meagre pension money to feed their orphaned grandkids. They should think about the unemployed professionals. The kids with no plan to go to university.

Religion is not a value

Not too many of my friends are religious. But when the topic or debate on Religion comes up, some hide and some take me on. I know most people do not talk about religion. Simply because it does not enter our daily lives. Today I had a conversation with an old lady who wanted to know the meaning of my red and white beads. She used religion to convince me that following traditions and custom was wrong. She referred to her religion as a value.

I then realised we had different values. I also believe that religion is not a value. Spirituality and the belief in God, I believe those are values. Religion is a discipline. The kind that pretends to be about love, family and charity. But it is instead a vehicle of hatred and war.

Some say it is politically incorrect to celebrate Christmas. Christians get upset and moan about the Jewish Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah and Passover.  And then it degenerates to the war in the Middle East. Jews and Muslims. The persecution of gay and lesbian people. Then you ask yourself what kind of religion wants to make other human beings disappear off the face of the earth. The Pope sits at the Vatican while children are molested and their future quashed by ordained priest. This is all within a religion. Some people use Islam to vent. Suicide bombs. Religion is not a value. Spirituality and the belief in God is. Amen.

Thanksgiving Ceremony 16 June 2010

No one will ever know

I am sure every gay man has had the question asked to them; “Are you the woman or the man”. Society has nobody but themselves to blame. Minorities in our communities were never allowed to be themselves. Some of us were family secrets. Being a homosexual gave some of my friends a permanent status of being black sheep. Some of them never survived the stigma and pressures and never made it in life. Some endured, thrived and survived the unbearable conditions. Times have changed. The “mainstream” regular people look at us as some sort of exhibition. Do you guys do it in the ass, they would inquire. Some would fall on their faces in prayer asking God to save us. Even worse, we would be cursed. But it shouldn’t be like this.

It was not supposed to be a surprise or a shock that a man left his wife for another man. Had we been allowed to and integrated in the society, our lives would not be labelled abominable and a sin. If the church had been in the true spirit of our Lord Christ, we would all co-exist without being demonised. So many women would have been saved from the pain of finding out now that they are married to men who are actually homosexual. Society kept them in their deep, dark closets.

This only made some of the gay men vengeful. They were on the crusade to drag some of these men out of the closet. It hurt people. They didn’t care because it was the only way to get back society. For shackling us and not let us be part of them.

Now that the times are changing, some people are becoming more accepting; some are calling the end of our days.  The end of the world. Well it is the end of the world for you. When you die, it will be the end of you. Just like it will be the end of me when I die. We do not want to be accommodated, we want to be accepted.

Closing the China Debate

I may be a little late on the protest wagon and i am sure that is the feeling many people who will read this. But I know that I will go back to this text, if I am dead someone else will and say i stood up against this ticking time bomb.

It is one thing for them to acquire manufacturing companies, exploit our cheap labour, but singlehandedly forcing us to join them in their crusade of abusing human rights? That is just outrageous! Our government is supposed to be safeguarding our individual liberties. Including having our Tibetans friends for our birthday parties. The Chinese buy companies here, you would think they would play by our rules. And if they don’t play by our rules, what more effective insidious way to circumvent our laws than gain control of the office of Minister Maite Nkoane-Mashabane? Huh?

Look, I am certain China is a beautiful country. I want to visit their walls, but the idea of the Chinese coming here  and grabbing our government by their balls is terrifying. Their record on human rights is atrocious. They do not support freedom of speech. I am certain if you are reading this blog, you will not be in China. There is no freedom of religion there! They support Sudan which enabled them to contribute to the genocide in Darfur. They pretend they do not see the female infanticide. They force abortion. They practice torture. China’s economy is way bigger than ours. That’s not even a question. They have so much money invested here now, it is well to say; they own us. Their goal of becoming a civilization power is almost achieved.  Almost? What am i talking about?  Damn they have the wealth to achieve that. They have bought our government! We are just like a Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchise. A wise old clergy said, “Watch out!” and I am warning you too fellow South Africans. Watch Out! I am a drop in an ocean and they would laugh at me if i said i didn’t want to fall into their hands.

Despite the beautifully compiled constitution, it is ludicrous to think we will be tough on their human rights violations, because we haven’t been. Why? Because they own us. In the words of Hillary Rotham Clinton, “How do you get tough with your banker?”

I know and understand the new world order. Even the United States will one day be a labourer to China. I see that coming. As far as our constitution goes, the blood of our people was shed for it. How can we be so submissive and docile?