The weekend is finally here. I am spending my time baking cake (again!...I should start getting money for this new found hobby) for a one year old birthday party, which I have also volunteered to make jollof rice as my birthday present. I no get money. I am giving in "kind". Anyway, my week has been uneventful but totally pleasurable. Spent the last two nights lost in Mandela's biography Long Walk To Freedom. It is a huge book but I am nearly at the end now. I had a very unhealthy fascination with Mandela as a child(don't know if I have mentioned it on my blog before, but anyway)I remember watching a particular program about him and he made such an impression on my young mind that for days afterwards, I used to ask my father "Is Mandela free yet?".
Now I am guessing it was obviously during the world wide "Free Mandela" campaign that was initiated during the 80's. After that, my father took great pains to explain the situation in South Africa to me. I am sure I never really understood it but it no doubt made me angry that something like that was happening. I remember asking all the time "but why can't they all just live together?". Anyway, after those first questions, I became a bit obsessed with any news about Mandela and my father was a ready accomplice in feeding my mind with news and updates about the situation. He got irritated with me after a while though, since I had no idea that things did not change every single day.
I also don't remember how my obsession died but after the initial euphoria over his release, new things took over. Secondary school, boarding house and other new obsessions.
That is why when I saw the book, lying there, gathering dust in the book shelf in my friend's living room, I just had to read it. Finally, I would know who this man really is.
What did I really know about him? What did I really know about South Africa? What, do I know now?
I have to say I knew plenty, but not enough.(The truth is I have not been fascinated at all these last years. I never watched any of those concerts or campaigns, I did not watch his birthday thingy and I certainly have lost track of Winnie..)
Anyway, so thats what has taken my mind away. My soul however, is still very much on earth. Loving, praying, and living.
Have a great weekend.
Love,
Waffy
Saturday, April 25, 2009
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7 comments:
why do i get the impression that waffarian is changing,nesting, settling down...
It is a massive book and if you are, like me, bad with names, then not an easy read either. And to think that his first draft was taken by the authorities . . . that he rewrote such a detailed book from scratch is as much a testament to his perseverance as anything else he did in his monumental life.
Keepcooking! Do I get a piece of the cake? Enjoy the ret of the weekend.
jollof rice......lol......i remember that summer in jand.....
Gotta see you gal...
Read that book ages ago....it makes for very interesting and enlightening read!!!! Enjoy it...
hmm. my mother gave me that book on audio cd, but I never took time to sit down and listen well enough. Thanks to you I am now reminded that I HAVE to do it. Thank you :-) what kinda cake did you bake?
Winnie and Mandela met recently at an ocassion. I saw it in the paper.
Hmmm you shd make money out of baking cakes. It helped in while in school...
Heyya. Its great to know that you are feeling good in yourself. Opportunity to get properly intouch with you.
I read long walk to freedom in my secondary school years, SS2 I think. I actually received it as an award at school. I would love it read it again , now that Im more "mature" I would definately appreciate it more. Anyway, my siblings actually sold that book along with all a string of others cos they wanted some pocket money and thot I wouldnt need them anymore. How can anyone do that!!! Im still angry with them about that to this day and its been over 10 years now.
Take care
Kr
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