South Africa

Last night my brother commented on South Africa on Facebook. He hates the fact that South Africa is always portrayed as a third world country and there is always a lady in a shack talking about her 17 chilfren and how hungry they are on the news. My brother has been living in London for 9 years.

My perception of South Africa is totally different. I love South Africa and I love being South African.

This nation has come a long way. I can remember the Apartheid laws and the fear when they were scrapped one by one. I can remember Nelson Mandela's release and the 'white agitation'. I remember the years prior to the first democratic election, the fights between black and black as well as black and white. I remember that first election and the belief that a war will erupt.

Subsequently, I saw a nation being built. I saw black and white hands extended. There were books written on both sides of the divide. Nelson Mandela, Madiba, wrote his "Long walk to Freedom", Bishop Desmond Tutu wrote "God has a dream" (and one the most amazing experiences was hearing this black man say: "God loves you...". Then there was Antjie Krog and so many others on the 'white end'.

I see people befriending people despite colour. I see efforts being made to understand culture and language. I see common ground and I see a melting pot.

Yes, we have poor people. Yes, we do have people with 17 children. Are we helping them? I believe we are. One at a time. However, we are more than this, we are a nation. We love, we laugh, we learn.

Sport was and is always a huge factor in binding us together. As I am writing this, I hear the sound of vuvuzelas being blown. This was originally an 'instrument' associated with soccer, but I saw and heard it at the Super 14 rugby as well. Sport is big in this country, but I can never discount God's hand in the mending of a nation. I don't even want to think of what could have happened if it wasn't for Him.

Nkosi sikeleli Afrika.

My friend, Jan

I love my friend, Jan. I have known Jan and his wife, Yvonne for the past 15 years. When I met them, I was a student and they the new pastor and his wife.

Since then a lot of things happened. Jan has bipolar disorder and was only correctly diagnosed almost 5 years after his first breakdown. Jan cannot minister any longer. There is a lot of things he can no longer do, but he remains one of the sharpest brains I know. He wrote the bulk of my previous 3 posts. Yet, when Jan has a lot of people around him, he gets nervous and then his hands start shaking (side effect of lithium). He therefore spends his time mostly on his own or with the occasional friend.

Yvonne works fulltime and supports him. It used to be the other way around, but they both seem to have taken this in their stride.

When I first got sick, they were two of the amazing people who insisted I see a doctor. They also told me they think I have bipolar disorder two years before I was diagnosed. We can compare drugs and talk about side effects. We can discuss alternative therapies like ECT's without any frowns.

When I am too weak, I know that they will somehow be there. The opposite is also true. Their journey gives me hope for mine.

So why am I telling you this? Firstly, I want to acknowledge these amazing people. Secondly, Jan has to have a shoulder operation tomorrow. We don't know if there will be side effects, but the op needs to be done.

So, when you say your prayers tonight, please remember my dear friends, Jan and Yvonne?