Walk Gentle

I read a twitter comment that somebody had made the other day. 

" Coming home to Mdantsane for holidays is like going on vacation to Afghanistan. "

Mdantsane still lacks the most basic entertainment facilities after 16  years of independence. There is not one cinema in the township ( the population of Mdantsane is estimated to be over a million people). There are hardly any pubs, bars or restaurants, apart from the usual shebeens. From a point of view of entertainment facilities the township has not much to offer. You have to be in your house in the evening because of the high crime rate.

But one thing that distinguishes this township from many other big townships is the pristine and beautiful environment. The beaches are close and easy to reach. There are miles of unspoilt coastline.

Christmas time is beach time. You go to the beach with your familiy and friends.
Have a braai ( barbecue), just linger, have drinks, talk and relax..The Christmas season in South Africa is like a prolonged national holiday and many companies and firms close around the 15th of December.

Just spoil yourself and if you can get forget your sorrows over money, love, the lack of things you need and don't have for a couple of days. They'll come back to you as soon as you let them. And they are willing to stay with your for another year. SO let go for now !

Go for a walk with your daughter.

And just walk gentle.

Mothers Of A Nation

When looking at these beautiful pictures I want to say the biggest assets of any nation are probably their mothers. That's my personal opinion of course.

After I have shown you their dresses let me show you now their faces.

               

They stand for peace rather than war, for patience, for love and strength.

They should lead more.  

With this post I am thanking all of them for being so patient with me and allowing me to take their portraits on their special day.

I am extremely happy with these shots because they came out so real and are full of emotion.

Mother's Day in Mdantsane

In this post I am sharing some special pictures with you. 

Mrs.Tom whom I have introduced to you in an earlier article had organized a special Mother's Day celebration on the 31.5.2011 that took place in a church in Mdantsane. To my surprise, I have to admit, because this was not the official date on which Mother's Day is usually celebrated all over the world. 

But she explained to me, that many women were too busy with their daily tasks, did not have the chance or money to celebrate on that day. So she and some other women took the initiative and organized this day to have a special day for themselves. 

The women arrived on a freezing cold day in their traditional beautiful Xhosa attire.

Traditional dresses are worn to many religious celebrations and festivities still today in all regions of South Africa. They are treasured and well looked after. A traditional Xhosa outfit for a woman is expensive to make and therefore is sometimes worn for many years and only at special days today.

On this day an ice cold wind was blowing and the women had to wear additional t-shirts, woolen sweaters and knee tights to keep a little bit warm. But they did in in style and just looked fantastic.

There is a type of traditional dress that is worn and reserved especially for young just married women.

But the dresses you see in the picture are worn by older women.

Beautiful traditional African bead-work jewelry in bright colors is complementing the outfit and is often worn also around the anklets.

I have worked several years with Non-Government Organization and Self-Help Initiatives and when someone who is or can be considered a potential donor is coming for a visit - that visit is understandably thoroughly prepared to show the organization from it's best side. Everybody does this. But often the true spirit and the common goal that has brought a great group into life is buried under these preparations and does not shine through.

The beauty of this celebration that I could witness was that it was unexpected for me and completely natural.

Later on the women will unite in the church to sing and pray together. 

But they will go to the market as well and see what food they can buy

And cook a meal together, may be a hot soup on this cold day.!!!

So if I summarize it is : PRAY, EAT AND LOVE !

I think another famous author has told us this just recently in a book !