Tuesday, February 1, 2011

"I am"

My parents nurtured my love for books from a very young age. It was thus no surprise to them when I was heartbroken because my father could not afford to buy Steve Biko's biography for me. I was 11 years old then, (yes, I have always had a serious demeanour about me).

My next big read was, “Children of Apartheid.” It changed my life forever. I used every single “oral” and “mondeling” opportunity to inform my classmates of Hornlee Primary School in Knysna. Fighting for human rights and those of others became my passion, hence my nickname, “Cinders”. I had a permanent frown on my face, (not because I was angry, rather because I was inquisitive and questioned life). It was the late 1980’s and my grandfather said to me, “You are either going to become a lawyer someday, or land yourself in jail. I am proud of you.”

Steve Biko, Tata Nelson Mandela and Maya Angelou influenced who I am today. Their selflessness, humbleness and vigour to fight for what is right, inspire me to hone my skills as a persuasive communicator. My purpose in life is to at least save one starfish, amongst the three hundred that got washed up on the beach.

3 comments:

  1. Always pursuit in what you believe in. Don't let anybody tell you any different! In the end it's only between you and God and that's all that matters...Jetsetter, go getter!

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  2. It is amazing how standing for human rights does not require on to be of a certain age or to follow a certain career path such as being a lawyer. Even so not many people have the heart to stand up for what they know to be right and what they believe in. Everyone knows that they can make a difference yet many choose not to.I applaude you and others like yourself who commit to making a difference.

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  3. Your post makes me think of the famous words by Mahatma Gandhi, "Be the change you want to see in the world". It all starts with the attitude of the individual to make that change and you are a true example.

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