A Sad Week

My country is burning. My country is being looted. Looting and destruction is widespread in certain areas. But, my country will not be destroyed by thugs and insurgents whoever they are. Take a moment to listen to our beautiful national anthem Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika. Take a deep breath and know we will overcome this sad moment in our history and things will get better.

Inspiration from Others

Adrian Gore

I have found Adrian Gore’s recent newsletters to be so positive. Adrian Gore is the founder and group chief executive of Discovery Limited. As far as I know he started writing newsletters to keep us informed of the progress in the COVID-19 vaccination program. To quote from his newsletter of 16 July 2021:

…when you watch the carnage on TV – or even worse – around you, it is easy to be consumed by sadness and the sense that these unlawful and destructive acts define us.

They don’t. (own emphasis)

Looting and destruction has brought terrible hardship to those who least deserve it. This is not who we are.

Mike Abel

I also found it inspiring to read the open letter on our current situation from Mike Abel, Chief Executive Partner and founder of M&C Saatchi Abel.

Yes, South Africa has many, many problems for sure. It always has and it always will, certainly for the foreseeable future until we solve poverty, unemployment and corruption. Until there are far fewer people who have absolutely nothing and little hope.

Read the full letter on Mike Abel’s Facebook Page or listen to John Maytham read Mike Abel’s open letter to expats ‘I told you so’

Zyda Rylands

Zyda Rylands, CEO of Woolworths SA on 21 July 2021 also added a letter of gratitude:

Over this time many of us have experienced loss. Some have lost everything. And still we stand. Resolutely focussed on uniting our country. We will do our part to ensure that we move our country forward, supporting our people, our communities and our customers.

We are so much more powerful together. And together we will make a difference.

I believe these CEOs and others speak for the majority of us. Looting and destruction does not speak for us. Nor does it define us.

Being South African

I am in my 60s. Born in Johannesburg and raised in KZN. Now I live 2 kms from the very house that my parents took me home to as an infant. I am definitely a biltong, dried fruit and rusks person. My ancestor came to this country as Jan van Riebeeck’s secretary in 1652. Yes, my roots go deep into this land.

Being South African is more than where I was born. It is in the air I breathe, the smiling faces around me, the chatter at every till point, the sunshine, outdoors, our fynbos and our wild animals and wild flowers, our pap and vleis. Our everything but not looting and destruction.

Somethings…

The Bands of the 60s

I grew up in the years of Four Jacks and a Jill with Master Jack and Dicky Loader and the Blue Jeans with the likes of Sea of Heartbreak and Exclusively Yours. What about The Bats with A Shabby Little Hut? And the Flames with For Your Precious Love. A real forces favourite in those days of conscription, call-ups, camps and border wars.

The Dream Merchants sang Time and The River and Substitute.

I cannot forget Jeremy Taylor and his oh-so-politically-incorrect songs like Ag Pleez Deddy and  Lift Girls’ Lament.

My South African heritage. And there’s lots more music to define that heritage.

Walking Barefoot

I love walking barefoot. Seeing my grandson running around school barefoot is such a joy! To see those feet in touch with the very soil and earth that supports them is, for me, joyful. I walk barefoot. I always have, even to the shock of my neighbours when I lived in England! Even in the middle of winter I venture out forgetting my shoes.

Highveld Sunsets

I watch the beautiful orange sunsets that we have on the highveld. Sunset is time to walk the dogs. I stand on a hill and look to the west. The crimson sun slowly descending to the horizon. And when there are clouds about, the beauty is magnified multifold. Thank you for that simple pleasure.

Favourite Foods

Yes, biltong. And every butcher has their own unique spice blend. Even boerewors is unique to its maker. Some better than others, but there is no smell better than boerewors sizzling on a braai. And when its your neighbour who is braaing, you just want to get out there and do the same.

We have a lot to be thankful for. I have a lot to be thankful for.

Then what about our curries and oh my best, babootie. The Cape Malay blend of spices is mmmmm… too delicious for words!

But where would I be without my Ouma rusks, Mrs Ball’s Chutney, Marmite and Milo?

More Flavour Favourites

The list goes on.

Pro Vita biscuits, Marie Biscuits, Tennis Biscuits. Bakers biscuits of all types. And the simple daily loaf – that warm wholesome aroma that gives comfort. I remember, as a child, going down West Street to the beach front in Durban and breathing in the warm, delicious aromas emanating from the Bakers Biscuit factory in Point Road.

Melktert another favourite – the base often made from Tennis biscuits giving that delicate coconut flavour. The deli near me makes the most delicious melktert. Not too sweet, just smooth creamy set custard with that light sprinkle of cinnamon on the top. They also make the best ice cream and cheese cake ever! Take a look at www.marketplace.co.za. And I mustn’t forget their Florentine biscuits – maybe not of South African origin, but so delicious… dangerously delicious! When you eat one you just want more!

The list of favourites goes on. I often go to Linden for two reasons: to visit Arthur Bailes and The Cheese Shop. I linger far too long in both places! The cheese shop has an amazing array of South African products, most produced by artisans on their farms on a limited scale.

What about our speciality jams. Apricot jam, homemade, preferably. Nastegal with its deep purple colour and those little berries with such subtle flavour. And if you are really lucky, a beautiful homemade Cape (or cape) gooseberry jam. And moskonfyt? What about our wild flower honeys? Being South African, do you eat cheese with honey?

Don’t forget our dried fruits and nuts. It makes sense that, historically, our most used form of preserving involved the hot African sun. From dried fruits and rusks to dried wors and biltong.

We are very blessed.

1994 – 1995

I was not living in South Africa during the huge changes. Sadly, I missed the first democratic elections. I also missed us winning the Rugby World Cup for the first time. Nelson Mandela, Francois Pienaar, the Bokke. Listen to and watch the wonderful Shosholoza. And another catchy version Shosholoza.

2010 World Cup

We were the darlings of the world and didn’t the world love visiting us for the football World Cup. What a vibe, wherever you went people were smiling. Oh and remember Shakira singing This Time for Africa.

Looting and Destruction Conclusion

We have been through too much to let someone or some group derail us now. Vasbyt. We will get over the looting and destruction.

From our beating African hearts, from our hot African sun, huge open skies and distant horizons, to our jagged Drakensberg Mountains, our forests and seashores, from our parched land to our magnificent heritage… we are the keepers of it all, ours to honour and protect. Together we will overcome. Together we will be stronger.

I now must get over the looting of our life savings by a builder. A personal loss. To read our story in full, click On Rocky Ground and Our Story.

Looting does not define us all.