A wonderful read for a Public Holiday. I couldn’t agree more with what the author of this piece has said. Recently, I myself was in Clarens for a friend’s wedding. The family and friends in attendance were all Afrikaans (I was the only English girl there!) and they were just the most fun-loving, hospitable, accepting and lovely people. It was truly the best wedding I have been to. The ceremony took place outside, in nature, with the occasional flickering of lightning or the rumble of thunder. Everyone was just relaxed, happy and grateful – it didn’t matter if it rained or not, because as the article emphasises below, South Africans always make a plan (what’s that saying again in Afrikaans? ‘N boer maak ‘n plan!) and embrace the spirit of community. So despite all the recent violence that has been dominating South African headlines, South Africans are resilient, loving people, who fill always find a way to make things work. – Tracey Ruff
By Andrew Fenwick*
As South Africans we are constantly surrounded by change and hardships. We often rely on uplifting stuff from our musicians and sportsmen and women. Our journey in South Africa has seemed particularly dark lately, so I thought I would highlight some aspects that we have tucked away that enable us to get through the tough times and even thrive in the global arena. These were experienced at two recent funerals and a wedding…
Before moving on, let’s swiftly go through the latest stuff that faces so many of us. Load shedding, more xenophobia, job losses, labour unrest, corruption scandals, increases in electricity tariffs and fuel prices, land invasions, destroying parts of our history, political developments. The list goes on, but that would prolong this…
The first thing I recently observed was at the wedding of a relative on a farm in KZN. At this time of the year, there is a good chance of afternoon rain showers. The wedding was out on a field, with a wooden tree trunk lectern and lines of bales of hay for seats. There was a herd of Nguni cattle that joined us for part of the ceremony, what beautiful animals! Unfortunately rain delayed the proceedings. But there was some thoughtful preparation. A large marquee was set up, in case there was a downpour. We as South Africans often plan for the possible things that could trip us up, and we make sure that there is a plan “B” or “C”.
Instead of starting at 3pm, the storm was fairly short-lived so it started at around 4pm. Guests rather ate and drank and caught up, while we marvelled at the storm. The next thing was another great aspect of South Africans! My relative asked a select few of his friends to supervise the next plan that was made. Within around 5 minutes, all the bales of hay had been turned back twice and stayed in their rows, to ensure that all the guests had dry seats to sit on! The ceremony continued and it was good. Another great thing to witness was the strong family bonds many of us have. When a function as important as this happens, it is amazing how family will come from all over the world (many of us know about this) to celebrate the great day. Lastly, on the wedding theme, we know how to celebrate and have a good time. For those hours our minds were transported away from all the daily stuff.
The next thing I witnessed was at the first of the funerals. It was for my best friend’s mom, a great lady I have known for over 30 years. There I saw how caring we are and filled with love. My mom’s friend had been part of an organisation called Project Daphne in Cape Town for more than a decade. As old as she was, she volunteered and drove other elderly people to their doctors and hospital appointments, when they didn’t have the means to get around. It is at a gathering like this when one hears that she quietly took an elderly lady to see her frail husband at a care centre and would wait for hours until she was ready to leave, for months. She was active in her community and helped all sorts of people. One really got the sense that she made a difference to so many. And of course we all see how family and friends rally around and help on the day of the funeral, we support each other a lot.
I have to add that we are dedicated people as well. My friend, on the day of his mom’s funeral, went later to do his ward rounds to see his patients. I wonder if any of them got to know that he was there for them, when it was a time that others should have been there for him. The illness was difficult in the last few weeks, I gained more respect for my friend’s wife and her family. Her mom and sister dropped their lives and came down to assist, for over a week. They had no more leave and couldn’t be at the funeral!
Unfortunately for me the next funeral was the next day. It was my cousin’s husband, he had lost the battle to cancer as well, in the prime of his life! Again, the outpouring of love and support was palpable. When people speak about someone and how they changed their lives, it is quite inspirational. He apparently had the ability to see that someone was troubled by something or had financial issues and was always there to assist. He had defeated the odds and had got onto a better path than what his childhood would have dictated. We are resilient. It was his early childhood struggles that equipped him to see this in others and come to their rescue. That shows love and caring again. He was a larger than life character, many knew the goodness of heart that he possessed.
And so fellow South Africans, the clouds may be dark and the rain may be coming down now. But we will make plans and look after one another, and we will show the rest of the world that South Africa has more miracles ahead.
I believe that the manufacturing sector in South Africa has one of the biggest multiplying effects on the economy. It impacts on jobs far beyond the employees in the company. I am encouraged by the activity of many to support local businesses and to buy from local manufacturers. Please continue to make plans and care for our local jobs.
*After studying Mechanical Engineering, Andrew Fenwick joined a car manufacturer for 5 years as Production Engineer (1994-99). He completed an Advanced Business Programme (part-time) before working in the UK to gain more manufacturing experience. He returned to SA after two years to join his father’s business, Saddler Belts & Leathercraft (Pty) Ltd, which has been in operation since 1990. He has worked in various roles, from delivery driver to production. He was eventually appointed general manager and, two years ago, managing director. Follow him on twitter @andrewfdurbs.
