Skip to main content

Nightmares

I long for the day when the streets will feel safe again. I long for the day when I can walk on these streets and not feel my skin crawl. The day when walking down the streets of Boratas, Jo'burg, Polokwane, Alexandra - will be the same. I long for the day when children will flock to an ice cream truck and we won't even begin to imagine that one might not make it back. I long for the day when mothers will be able to go to work during school holidays and be assured that the neighbourhood will look after their children. I long for the day when if work demands we wake up before sunrise on a Saturday morning, that we won't worry that a drunkard or gangster thirsty of blood could be lurking in the shadows on our streets. I long for the day when we will walk in these streets and not think our possessions might not make it to our destinations. The day when a stranger bumping into you won't send your mind into a hysteria of thinking crime syndicate. I long for the day when I'll be able to go to the nearest mall during the festive season and not be scared that bullets could fly over my head any minute! I long for the day when I can look into a stranger's eyes and not feel intimidated, like I don't belong. I long for a day when we won't feel the need to protect ourselves, or that we need protection, but know we are safe. I long for the day when our streets will be safe again. Our homes. Our workplaces. Our neighborhoods. The day when we won't need to escape from who we are because we've become who we're not. I long for the day when we'll all be able to live, despite ourselves, within ourselves, amongst each other, and with ourselves. I long for that day.

Labels:

Comments

  1. Unknown29 March 2017 at 11:23

    This is what we have became. Faced with a seemingly unanswerable problem. The nightmares of our time, that runs through our identity and what shapes our sense of who we are and how we present ourselves in this world.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown29 March 2017 at 11:24

    This is what we have became. Faced with a seemingly unanswerable problem. The nightmares of our time, that runs through our identity and what shapes our sense of who we are and how we present ourselves in this world.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE CRY OF WINNIE MANDELA: DEPARTURES. WAITINGS. RETURNS.

SHOW: The Cry of Winnie Mandela  WHERE: The Market Theatre Laboratory WHEN: 04 May 2024 DIRECTOR: Momo Matsunyane August was Women's Month in South Africa, where we commerate the brave Womxn of 1956 on the 9th who were tired of waiting.  Over the years, I have come to use the day to reflect on my own personal experiences and draw inspiration from the Womxn in my life. Ibandla lam'. 'The Cry of Winnie Mandela' adapted for stage by Alex Burger, spoiled us with songs and amongst them was this timeless hymn:  "Bohang seema, ha ba hlaha ka kgoro Jerusalema e mocha..." Those that are familiar with groups of Womxn will tell you that in their meetings, conversations can easily move from marital and relationship bliss - or bleak as is the case with the Womxn in this play - through the latest news, down to song and wailing prayers. Different emotions were invoked with each song as 'Ibandla la Bafazi Abalindileyo' took us through their jou...
Post a Comment
Read more

FINDING ME, VIOLA DAVIS

  "My entire life had been struggle and survival. I'd been on my own since age seventeen. The fact that it was hard, shitty, was nothing new, but the biggest struggle was keeping hope and belief in myself. Then, finding an art community for support while fighting my ass off to stay alive." - Viola Davis in her book, 'Finding Me' My biggest beef with poverty is that it sets one a million steps back. Poverty and lack will have you questioning your worth even when you receive what you have tirelessly worked your ass off for. Your voice is in constant fear-mode on subjects you're well-versed on. Your confidence is almost non-existent in rooms you deem above you. Saying 'no' is not part of your vocabulary because you always consider others before you. Yet, you are capable and deserving. More than deserving. Because who, if not you? Getting out of this pit is one of the most difficult things one has to go through. Unfortunately, a majority of Bla...
Post a Comment
Read more

Memories and Empty Spaces

When you hear a story of young rural girl moves to the City and 'forgets' where she comes from, you're thinking typical, right? But not quite. Championed by Champions of the Environment, Memories and Empty Spaces reminds audiences that the story is in the intent in which it is told. Because more often than not, we are different people, going through similar things all in pursuit of belonging. The story is centred around the character of a young womxn - Pulane (she who makes it rain, literally!) - whom like anyone of us is confronted with an identity crisis. Being raised to conform and follow what is believed and known to be true, only to go out and meet other worlds that threaten who you are and what you've known your entire life...it's a crisis. What now? Do you discard that which has brought you this far? Do you embrace this new you and see what truth it holds? Or do you perhaps put the two worlds together and see if they will work amidst negative connot...
Post a Comment
Read more