UBUNTU FOR BEGINNERS On his release from prison, Nelson Mandela surprised the world by advocating peace and reconciliation, and the world lauded him. I lauded him. I was reminded that we were all human, irrespective of cultural and ethnic diversity. Although those that oppressed me were wrong, I was big enough to forgive them. As an African, compassion and humanity was inherent in me. Ubuntu was part of my nature.

 

I was big enough to accept them, because I knew that, like me, they were human beings.
We were all human beings, and as such we were equal.

As an African, compassion and humanity was inherent in me.
Ubuntu was part of my nature.

I was now free to rebuild the pride that Apartheid had robbed me of.
Free to reclaim my esteem.

I could stand up proud and announce
‘I am an African!

 

Today:
I am an African.
I live in an African box.

In this African box there are many little boxes
Many diverse little boxes

But in my little box I enjoy my own music
I dance to my own tune and speak my own language.

I am equal to the many others in the box
But they are not equal to me.

I know that they feel the same
Because they have their own little boxes in the African box

In this world there are many little boxes like mine
I wonder what would happen if I climbed out of the little box.

Would I still be proud to announce
‘I am an African?’

Kader Khan
Editor
info@yummie.co.za