This picture was taken after I performed I want to speak to my children at the Thabo Mbeki Lecture on 24 May 2012. Sitting beside Former President Mbeki are Mam’Zanele Mbeki, FP Obasanjo, FP Chissano and FP Pires…amongst others.
And my world stood still. I’d say this is the highlight of my poetry career so far.
Can we just acknowledge for a minute (or two) that Phillippa Yaa Devilliers ( http://de-scribe.posterous.com/ ) was awarded the SALA 2011 prize for POETRY (The Everyday Wife). And just like that, she told the rest of us that this was possible: hard work and determination. Or as Zoya would say: “Vision and Commitment friend! That’s all you need, vision and commitment.”
For your guidence, your love and your support… I carry you in my spirit.
Me with Tamkhulu Don Mattera
Chatting to Natalia Molabetsi and Phillippa Yaa De Villiers at the Consciousness Launch and thinking to myself: “Really?! I mean…of course… but REALLY??”
Wonderful susters in poetry
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – by Marianne Williamson
Photo by my darling sister: Phumela Gantsho
“She prays for you
Gives to you
No longer expects from you…”
I wish I could remember who took this pic *hides* Thank you though 🙂
Then:
And Now:
This stoep is pieces of me. I have played on it with my cousins and other children from the village. I wave polished and shined it (my knees can testify), and I have fallen on it more times than I care to remember.
My grandfather build this house and my father grew up in it. And last year, two days before this picture was taken, my brother welcomed Simthembile into our family in this house.
I actually can’t believe how emotional it makes me to see these two photos next to each other. Same venue, worlds apart. The young Vangi thought she could do it alone. Thought her opinions were created entirely by her and though she was always affected by those around her, she was completely unaware of the effect she could have on them.
Fast-forward to many years later, and she is surrounded by two generations of unsung heroins. Women who have nourished and shaped her, reminding her always, that she comes from so much more than the ME and she has a responsibility to make sure that their voice is never rendered unheard.
Ja ne… This thing called life sometimes. Shout out to everyone who comes from ezilalini! And a special mention to the woman standing front left: my mommy!! If I could be as strong as ANY woman I know (or know of), I would want to be as strong as her.
Through Vangi-tinted glasses 