Kwazulu-Natal: My Heart is Not Where My Home Is
During my multiple visits to the Kwazulu-Natal province of South Africa, the experiences have been jumble of my thoughts and especially my emotions. Every time upon my return to the states, I realize that my heart is not where my home is. Once in a while, I will sit reminiscing about the majesty and beauty of Swayman Valley, the beautiful rolling hills, speckled with rondolvos and mud huts, and then my heart becomes weighed heavily by tears as I am reminded, not only the of the pain and destruction I have witnessed, but at the fact that there is now an organization known as Zimele that is becoming a blanket of hope that is embracing and attacking the roots of the devastation in South Africa, as well as becoming a light for future generations to follow.
Zimele –the Zulu word that means, “to stand on one’s own two feet” and “we are doing it” a vision that was implanted in the founder, Rosetta Stander, is what I try and think of more than the river of tears shed by millions in South Africa because then at least I can envision the glimmers of the possibilities hidden away in the hills and valleys of Kwazulu-Natal. I try and think of the wonderful Zulu women that I have encountered, the spirit that they possess, and the love that they share. I try and think of the beautiful and precious children, who in the midst of all that they may lack and all that they may have lost, are quick to give me a heartfelt smile and eager to give me a hug that tells me nothing else matters in my life. I try and imagine a promising future in South Africa, a future where the Zulu Nation will again be a strong and mighty people who are doing for themselves and for their country, and not a nation that is dying by the thousands every single week.
Zimele is bringing forth “chances” where there are no chances – not just chances for today but chances for generations to come. Zimele is not about giving handouts and placing band aids on broken legs. It is about developing and building self-worth in people that have been oppressed, scandalized, and torn apart, to realize they can not only do for themselves, but that a big part of doing for themselves is to do for each other and become self-reliant communities. Is Zimele working? It is a monumental task, and moving at pace that is slower than a snail. However, I can say that I have firsthand knowledge that it is starting to work and my prayer is that it will continue to do so. Why? Since my first trip to South Africa up until my third one this year, my home is not where my heart is. My home is here but my heart remains in South Africa and with the Zulu people of South Africa.
