So, this is one of many pictures I have of the march. They expected about 5 000 people. It was insane. Perhaps this is the beauty of a young democracy...or maybe even the beauty of a community with a history of victimisation, one small manifestation of an uncomplacent spirit.
It's hard to believe that my time here is coming to an end so quickly. I have only two days left at TAC, and another weekend in Harare. And before you know it, a plane will whisk me away to my home country. There is much left to process on all sides, for certain. In any case, I know I have learnt many things, even if I couldn't quite tell you what those things are as yet. Many, many stories.
Mongesi. Xolani. Veza. Little SO and Mickey. Thando. Sizwe (both of them). Mandla. Pumeza, Amelia, Ntomboxolo. Zingsani. Samy. Saba. Father Nenge. There are many characters which will always stick out in my mind, and to attempt to describe them here would be a disservice to them and to you. So, I hope that at some point, we can talk about it in some sort of meaningful way.
I won't lie, it hasn't all been romantic. Harare can be a scary place, not just for a white guy, but for the rest of the community members as well. But, show me the community which does not have its problems. One central realisation for me has been this: humanity has its problems, no matter which side of the ocean, what sorts of socio-economic conditions, etc. No, I don't have to queue for water in the morning, waiting for hours, like some here. But an excess of materials and resources poses its own unique challenges. I am incredibly lucky to be able to have experienced even a small taste of this life, the good and the bad.
Hopefully one or two more posts. Thanks for reading...I hope I haven't turned into a raving lunatic and make some shred of sense.
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