Is South Africa ungrateful?

I was listening to BBC World Radio 1 this morning. The subject matter was that of Nigeria's rebranding exercise. It is a whole topic on its own and I will have top dedicate a post to it. However, what came out of the conversation rang a very loud bell in my ears. The Chairperson of the rebranding exercise was bitter that South Africans are an ungrateful lot. She argued with good reason that during the incarceration of Nelson Mandela and apartheid, Nigerian civil servants used to contribute their personal earnings to further the cause of South Africas' freedom, justice and equality for all. She also said that many of the South African freedom fighters were sheltered in Nigeria for long periods. Today, however, South Africans treat Nigerians like dirt.

I remember when I was still in Primary school in the 80s in Zimbabwe. Once a week we would sing songs of solidarity for our oppressed colleagues in South Africa. During our open days and parents' days, we would perfom dramas' of freedom, castigating the white oppressors of our friends in SA. It was emotional. I may need to remind you that Mugabe has always been an avid pan Africanist. Lets suspend the debates of what is happening in Zimbabwe now, for now. As such we felt at one with our brothers and sisters. When I got married, I had the fortune of staying in the very apartment that the former president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki used to stay in. The apartment is at Gail Court, along samora Machel Avenue, close to Pinsau pub, for those that take the holy waters of babylon.

Today, each time I visit South Africa, I am saddened. I have never sought refuge in South Africa, and never will. But I feel so shaken by the ignorance that is displayed by the average South African, not only towards Zimbabweans seeking refuge there but towards any other African. The situation is particularly bad for West Africans' and in particular Nigerians. South Africans are of the view that they live in heaven. But they forget, that there is not a single African country that was independent that did not contribute towards their indepence. We all fought alongside them.

Isn't it time they were educated about this? Am I expecting too much?

U20 doing well

The U20 Ghana soccer team has done well. I congradulate them.

God has blessed me again.

Just when I thought
That the world had come to an end
When enemies were plenty
and friends very few
God blessed me again

Again and again
He keeps loving me
And I love Him too
Thank you God for the double gift...

Refraining from politics for a short while.

You will all notice, that from where I stand, I must take a short sabbatical from blogging about politics. I shall need to re-establish my feet, re-engange my safety nets, and assess the situation. The days of shooting from the hip are hereby suspended.

You all know what I mean, dont you?

It is good to be home

After some time, being away,
It is so good
to be home.

To touch, to see, to smell, to taste
all the familiar surroundings
it is wonderful to be home

I am coming, from a far away land
where I was a teacher, and a student
all rolled into one

To all the wonderful people I know,
you are appreciated!
It is good to be home.