by Basetsana | Sep 17, 2017 | Blog
I have been at a loss for words since the sad and untimely passing of Gugu Zulu. In deep reflection and in a prayer, all I can offer to the Zulu family is a prayer of comfort and peace, especially for his wife Letshego and their baby girl Lelethu. O’ death where is your sting! (1 Corinthians 15:55).
The #Trek4Mandela expedition on Kilimanjaro, should be commended for taking on this epic challenge in order to raise funds for sanitary pads for more than 350000 impoverished girls. Their selfless quest to climb Africa’s highest peak to celebrate Madiba’s birthday is nothing short of extraordinary! We thank you for your courage and will to dare your own lives to make a difference to the girl child. My tribute to the 42 climbers. Salute!
My husband #fatherofthetribe climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2006, he had been training diligently leading up to the climb. I was seriously nervous that he had made up his mind to climb. As a supportive wife I encouraged him. Day 1, I didn’t hear from him, day 2 passed and by day 3, I had lost my nerves, had palpitations, and I couldn’t sleep or eat. I prayed, then hoped, and prayed again. It was towards the end of day 3 that he called to tell me he was fine but had been ill because he was battling to acclimatize to the altitude of about 4600m. He was dehydrated and was feeling very weak, but he was going to continue on his trek. There are three routes, the Mweka, the Shira and the Marangu routes, which he took, and so did Gugu. By grace he did summit and put up his flag! It takes 3 days to go up and 2 days down!!
There are many poignant and sacred moments that climbers do share, which perhaps, you and I who have never attempted to climb the “Roof of Africa”, will never understand. I read in one of the publications the songs that were sung to honour this great son of the African soil. The signature Kilimanjaro anthem, and Jambo, a popular tune, then Shosholoza were sung for Gugu in an emotional final farewell, which “echoed through the mountains”.
Letshego and Lelethu, I don’t know what song to sing for you to ease your heartache and pain, I don’t know what words to say to comfort you – there is nothing clever to say. But remember this though, you married a brave heart, a man who loved and adored you implicitly, and would climb a mountain for you!
Duduzeka Sisi, aluhlanga lungehlanga!
Lala ngoxolo Zulu, Ndabezitha, Zulu omnyama ondlela zimhlophe!
Rest In Peace Gugu Zulu, usikhonzele!!!
by Basetsana | Sep 17, 2017 | Blog
One of my greatest privileges, my highest calling, is being a mother. The work I do and the businesses I run are not who I am, it’s what I do. Often in interviews, I am asked how I would define who I am. But my answer is always consistent and simple: I am a mother!
But I was a mother even before I was blessed with my own children. I have raised relatives’ children, mentored and raised many young men and women, and today, I stand in awe of what they have become. I celebrate them, as they fulfil their pre-ordained and pre-destined paths.
Two weeks ago, our daughter Bontle ba Morena turned two years old. In my tribute to her and in appreciation of her beautiful being, I told her, “Thank you for choosing me to be your mother”. You don’t choose your children, they choose you.
Renowned spiritual teacher Kahlil Gibran says : “Your children are not yours , they are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself, they come through you but not from you, and though with you, they belong not to you.
“You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own. You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you, for life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.”
I resonate with this truth, and it has given me an understanding of my role as a mother to many. I am a mother, am firm, a disciplinarian, and I am the first to admit that I can be very hard on kids. But my husband is more on an even keel and measured in his parenting style.
But you learn to parent each child differently, as each of them are unique. Our eldest son, uNkosinathi, is a gentle soul. I learn everyday how to parent him without breaking his gentle spirit.
UShaka, on the other hand, is boisterous, unafraid, loud and holds his own. I have to learn to parent him differently. Bontle stands up for herself and her convictions. She is bold and courageous, and I am learning to parent her.
I have since learnt that each child comes with their unique qualities that need to be nurtured, embraced, loved and celebrated, so they chart their own course and fulfil their God given destiny.
Don’t break their spirits if it does not subscribe to how you were brought up, what you know and the “better version of yourself” you want to create through them.
To the beautiful children I have raised and mentored for the past 20 years, I have seen you come into your own, thank you for affording me the opportunity to learn from you. Your stars are only just beginning to shine. Thank you for the love and the trust. Nginithanda ngenhliziyo yami yonke!
by Basetsana | Sep 17, 2017 | Blog
What would you march for in 2016?
I pondered about this question, inspired by the commemoration of the women’s march in 1956 that changed the course of our history 60 years ago on August 9.
This momentous occasion was a part of the struggle for our freedom and women’s rights, where more than 20000 single-minded and galvanised ladies said “enough is enough”, “phansi nge dom pass, phansi”.
The women’s march was an extraordinary development in the liberation struggle of our country. It’s a shining example of what we can achieve when we actively pursue a greater common purpose.
At least 20000 women from all races and backgrounds, some with children on their backs, knew the winds of change began with the actions of ordinary citizens.
Standing in unity , they knew fear was not an option . Part of their petition read: “We came as a women united in our purpose to save the African women from the degradation of passes.”
Talking to some of my colleagues this week, I posed the question: “What would you march for in 2016?”
Think about it. In 1956, the struggle was political. Yes, the recent “fees must fall” march was a collective effort, but we often don’t fight for the collective.
I think today it’s all about the survival of the self. Some 40 years later, and the same winds of change have re-appeared.
Young people realise they have to act decisively to secure the future they deserve.
Issues in 2016 include:
1. Sanitary towels. Sadly, nine million girls in Mzansi aged between 13 and 19 miss a week of school monthly due to lack of sanitary pads.
2. Education. It is clear that education is the pestle and mortar from which we will grow this country.
3. Gender pay gap. Women are still paid far less than men for the same job. There are only 11.6% women CEOs and chairpersons, 21.9% women directors, 29.3% women executive managers. All this, when we make up 51.2% of the population.
4. Objectification. Young women in our country are subject to media onslaught, which feeds them images of European ideals of beauty. They end up seeking validation and financial support in the arms of “blessers” because many come from broken families.
What is our common value system? Is it the importance of an inner dialogue as it relates to one’s ability to reach one’s goals? Or is it the all encompassing reality of common purpose, and the power we’ll have as women if we choose to support and uplift other women?
We saw this power 60 years ago, and I have seen it daily in women who choose to cast off fear and move forward together.
This Women’s Month, let us celebrate our power and show young women how much of this is still very much theirs for the taking.
Wathint’ abafazi wathint’ imbokodo!
by Basetsana | Sep 17, 2017 | Blog
This too shall pass…
I had a freak accident on March 17, 2016, when I went to watch our son, uNkosinathi play piano at the school concert. It had been raining for two days before.
Cautiously, common sense dictated that the cobble stones at the school would be slippery, so I didn’t wear my six-inch Louboutins, but rather a relatively short heel in my world.
I left the office and told my CFO, Clifford Elk and Management team, that I would be back in an hour.
But I was not back at work for two months.
In a split second, your life can change, it’s how you deal with that sudden turn of the tide that will determine your your future, your destiny.
I had never, for a second, thought I would be bedridden for a day, let alone a week or a month. I was bedridden for two months, under strict doctor’s orders, to only get out of bed to use the bathroom and take a bath. I had to be in bed, elevated on three pillows 24/7, in a cast and could not put any weight on my right ankle.
My personal GP, Dr Tshidi Gule, had to explain to many exactly what kind of injury I have.
I often say to my sister Johanna that I could go into labour for 55 hours and have five caesarean sections, the pain I felt and still do is beyond debilitating – but this too shall pass, that I know for sure, as Ms Oprah would say!
“Mrs Kumalo suffered a complex comminuted fracture and dislocation of her right ankle. Her injuries involved a spiral fracture of the fibula and lateral malleolus, an oblique fracture of the medial malleolus and a transverse fracture of the posterior aspect of the tibia. Her surgery included an open reduction and internal fixation with insertion of a titanium plate and eleven screws”.
My life changed for the better. I am grateful for the accident. I thank God that this chapter visited my life.
I am all the better for it. I appreciate the sanctity of life. Of-course the God, Abba Father, that I serve doesn’t harm His children, like #fatherofthetribe (my husband) will never harm his children, but the Word that I live by, says, “All things work together for good for those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
When evil forces tried to harm me, God in His magnificence showed up for me, protected me. It could have been worse, it could have been my spine, then I would not be able to walk.
I am on a journey of healing and recovery. Yes, I can’t run for a year, I can’t wear heels for 6 months, but it is well with my soul. Out of a trial, you will triumph, out of a test, you will have your testimony! I serve a God who not only heals the broken hearted, but the broken. I celebrate each day, I have the joy of life (joie de vivre).
I smile, I cry and I dance, ala Judith Sephuma. I am grateful for each day I see the sunshine, I breathe. After having to be resuscitated, every breath I take – is a gift.
I choose my battles, I don’t suffer fools, I laugh out loud, I love much and I work hard, and hopefully each day, I am making a difference.
I have spent an inordinate amount of time with my husband and our children while I was convalescing at home. I got to know my children so well now. As a working mother, I often felt guilty that I didn’t see them enough, I didn’t read them the bedtime story. I am so glad I did make it to the school concert on March 17, because it changed my life for the better.
Whatever you are dealing with, remember this. this too shall pass!
by Basetsana | Sep 17, 2017 | Blog
I miss my father…
Ntate Makgalemele, Bra Phil as he was called by his peers, was well known in our neighbourhood, kokasi, the sharp smart dresser with Florsheim shoes (can’t tholakala, can’t get, like he used to tell us), was larger than life, loved us implicitly, was a present father, kind hearted and a beautiful soul.
He was super handsome, enjoyed his whiskey, but enjoyed the laughter and company of his children more.
He would take a day off to take us to auditions for TV commercials.
He would stand in long queues with us and continue to “pump” you up and encourage you, until it was your turn to go in.
One of my fondest memories was when he took me for a Niknaks audition when I was 15 years old. The role required someone who could dance.
Now my father knew I had two left feet, and looking at my anxious face, he said: “Baby girl (he called my sisters’ and me like that all the time) come let’s go outside. Let me show you some moves.”
He went on to dance in the car park to help me get “jiggy with it.”
I will never forget that! He always made us believe in ourselves, he encouraged us to be the best version of ourselves. Needless to say, I never got the role…
When I was 13 years, he gave me my first book, The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, which to a large extent has shaped my thinking, my beliefs and my destiny.
When he passed on January 2003, I thought I will never be able to breathe again, I felt that the wall I have always leaned on was taken away from me.
I was thankful that he walked me down the aisle to marry the love of my life in 2000, the father of my children, I call him #fatherofthetribe. Strange to say, I married a man who is just like my father, a kind, grounded, intelligent, handsome (yes he is) and fully present father who loves his children with all his being. Daily, I watch how he looks at them, how he encourages them, how he makes them believe in themselves.
He’d say to Nkosinathi: “Who’s the greatest, who is the smartest?” and to Shaka: “Who is the champ?” and to Bontle ba Morena: “Daddy’s Princess.”
You want your children to emulate you, you want your daughters to choose good and decent men for husbands, and you want your sons to treat other people’s daughters as you would want them to treat your own “baby girl”.
Be better, do better as fathers. You want to help raise decent productive members of society who are kind to others and you want to bring up children who can contribute to make this world a batter place.
In tribute to the fathers of our nation as we celebrated Father’s Day last week, let your daughters “want to dance with my father”, ala Luther Vandross.
by Basetsana | Sep 17, 2017 | Blog
The timing of my inaugural column is rather fortuitous for me as it falls on Youth Month and I am passionate about youth development and empowering young people.
My column will be about inspiring, encouraging and building one another, with a particular focus on women. I will deal with issues of self-growth, success, family (raising kids, love, marriage), relationships, friendships, networking (social and business). We are going to have lots of fun as we grow together.
I am a child of the 1970s born to a mother who was a teacher and father who was a bus driver, hard-working parents with an incredible work ethic.
My parents were very enterprising, teaching me and my siblings that hard work has never killed anyone. They inspired us to dream big and never to be afraid of failure.
When other kids were playing in the streets, I used to sell a tray of boiled eggs up and down our street, on weekends my siblings and I used to sell sandwiches, ice cream and chesa nyama at soccer stadiums.
We all had a collective responsibility to help “moeder and vader”, as we used to call them, put food on the table, a roof over our heads and clothes on our backs.
We didn’t have much in terms of material possessions but we had a lot of love. We knew we mattered, my parents affirmed us, encouraged us to be the best we could be.
I learned entrepreneurship from my mother’s kitchen. We used to have an assembly line making the sandwiches, my mother buttered the bread, my sister Johanna put in the filling, our elder sister Lerato cut the bread, my dad cling wrapped and my brother Mojalefa and I packed the sandwich boxes.
Ella Fitzgerald said, “It’s not where you come from that matters, but where you are going.” This quote has resonated with me for a long time. You cannot and should not allow the circumstances of your past determine your future and your destiny.
Growing up in the apartheid era, we were told by the system of the past that we would not amount to anything, we were the “lost generation”. Some of us decided to be rebels with a cause and defy that notion.
The youth of today have greater opportunities than some of us had. Like Madiba said: “It’s in your hands!” I believe that you can write your own script and being “born free” already gives you an added advantage from the starting blocks.
Last week on Facebook Michelle Obama’s last commencement address as First Lady of the US reminded me of what I know for sure. She said: “You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead it’s more important for you to understand that your experiences of facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages.. I encountered students who had every advantage, their parents paid their full tuition, they lived in beautiful campus dorms, they had every material possession a college kid could ever want; cars, computers, spending money… life will put many obstacles in your path that are far worse than a bad grade.. you will experience illnesses and losses, crises and setbacks that will come out of nowhere and knock you off your feet.
“But unlike so many other young people, you have developed the resilience and the maturity that you need to pick yourself up and dust off and keep moving through the pain, keep moving forward! You have developed that muscle and please always do your part to help others do the same.”
People of the South, let’s write a new narrative as we celebrate 40 years of a course of history that championed a revolutionary trajectory.
As a people, as a nation, as South Africans, we owe it to the hero’s and heroines of our struggle to pay it forward, to run the race and finish strong.
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