Not all who wander are lost.

It is said that walking is a form of meditation. One often takes a walk to get rid of the cobwebs in ones mind, to gain new perspective or a different take on a particular situation.

This is an age-old tradition. People in the Bible walked great distances over time as they were guided by Holy Spirits. Our ancestors walked for miles to hunt their next meal or to seek new habitat. Tibetan monks often wander when they do soul searching. They go on pilgrimage to see a vision of the next Dalai Lama. Not all who wander are lost.

Georgie Porgie pudding and pie.

“Goergie Porgie pudding and pie, kissed the girls and made them cry, when the boys came out to play, Georgie Porgie ran away!” I was in Sub B and so proud to be part of this production.

My ballet recitals back in the 1980’s definitely count as the most exciting and eventful happenings of my childhood. Preparing for eisteddfod meant months and months of hard work. We worked towards putting together spectacular shows and had to practice hours to perfect our “pas de chat, pirouette, grand plié and demi-plié”.

Mommy would style my hair in the perfect bun; secure my hair in a net and hairspray my hair until I coughed. I did not mind the hair pulling at all, for afterwards, I get to wear bright red lipstick, pink blusher and powder-blue eye shadow and feel as pretty as Princess Diana!

How do you step from the top of a 100-foot pole?

Put yourself in South African pole vaulter, Okkert Brits’ shoes and strategise.  You managed to propel yourself to the top, now what?

Step from the top of the 100-foot pole with grace. Plan your landing on the cushioned mattress. Scale over the horizontal pane and use the technique learned through practice and watching the best. Arch your back, lift your legs and you are home free.

Apply these principles in life and business to guarantee efficiency.

What makes me smile?

Adam, when he walks around in our house and sings, “You woke up this morning, got yourself a gun, Mama always said you'd be the Chosen One” – Sopranos soundtrack.

Tanaka, my neighbour’s 3 year old daughter cracked me up the other day when she freaked out because her nails need to get done. My 7 month old niece steals my heart when her little face lights up when she sees me.

My dad, who sings at the top of his voice and off-key while he prepares sandwiches for us, “In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight.” It is the small things in life that makes me smile.

We are what we do.

Freedom fighters like Mandela and Che Guevara lived for the causes that they stood for. They are true revolutionists. Both men sacrificed their family lives and a normal existence to fight oppression.

Steve Biko educated the world on Black Consciousness. He wanted Black South Africans and other Black people to know that they were equal to White people. Biko knew that the colour of his skin did not define him. He encouraged Blacks to have self-worth. The South African Apartheid Regime killed him in 1977, but they did not kill his spirit or his written and spoken word. His legacy guided us towards an equalitarian society.

South Africa is by no means an “ideal” society. We have come a long way, and our process of transformation wowed the world, especially during the 2010 Soccer World Cup period when our nation unified. The saying goes, “Change starts from within.” The “I Lead SA” campaign is based on ownership. We should take responsibility for our actions before we point fingers at others. Apply this principle to all that you do and as a nation South Africa will overcome, slowly but surely.

We are afraid of the wrong things.

Most of us fear, “change”. Many say, “I want to make a difference!” Few will take up arms, (using one’s intellect as a weapon) and fight for a cause that one believes in to effect change.

The year, 1976 earmarks when the fearless masses of Soweto marched to bring about change in South Africa. My heroes, Mohatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Steve Biko are prime examples of individuals who outsmarted an oppressive political system. These revolutionists did not use violence to effect change. They used their minds and led by example. Gandhi, Mandela and Biko stood up for what they believed in, they educated the masses and in doing so, created awareness worldwide and effected change.

“Change” is a verb.

A tapestry blanket.

A tapestry blanket tells many stories. Each block represents something or tells someone’s tale.

I admire the hands that take the time to put this blanket together. Each piece is carefully planned, each stitch and pattern fit and the end result is a colourful, (sometimes hideous- looking blanket) that tells an amazing story.

This is how some of our grandmothers and great grandmothers passed on their legacies. They were unable to read or write, (as education was taboo for women in those days). These remarkable ladies used the tapestry blanket to speak to their younger generations to come, to inform us, to equip us and to remind us of whom we are and where we stem from.