but, we are still NOT ‘alright’

The traditional definition of the word help is understood as

1. help |hɛlp| verb[ with obj.]  make it easier or possible for (someone) to do something by offering them one’s services or resources.
2. improve (a situation or problem); be of benefit to
3. noun[ mass noun] the action of helping someone to do something:

So, when was the last time you said the following words “how can I help you?”. Okay, and did you mean it? Were you intentional and deliberate about how you would help? More than that, did you follow through with it and are you still helping?

Yes, the title of this commentary piece is extracted from Kendrick Lamar’s song of hope that emerged out of a period of despair in the United States of America, following the Black Lives Matter movement. This week, we reflect on Human Rights Day here in South Africa which is commemorated on the 21^stof March in honor of the 69 people whom died in Sharpveille in 1960. So, I thought it would be apt to dedicate this piece in honor of all those that protested, stood up for themselves or were simply just at the wrong place, at the wrong time. In as much as global issues do differ in time and scale, they have one thing in common – the haunting effect that remains with us. Whether it’s haunting because it provides hope and resilience, or because it sends shockwaves of anger. There is always a personal and widespread sentiment that speaks to us as humans, our lives and the rights (or lack thereof) that we possess.

The week of the 11^thof March 2019 has gone down in my history book as one of the worst weeks thus far.  Allow me to explain as succinct as possible. On the 13^th, news broke out that in São Paulo, Brazil, a group of three boys in a community shot and killed 8 children in a nearby school, and then the assailants turned to take each other’s lives. In South Africa, on Tuesday the 13^th only after a few days of receiving news that a top Grade 12 learner named Boniface Ndlovu from the Northern Cape, was stabbed to death for his school shoes; another young boy named Kulani Mathebula from Johannesburg was also stabbed to death for his phone, by other school boys from another school. The youngest of Mathebula’s killers was 13, the other two were both 15. Senseless acts of violence and crime cost these two young men their lives.

Young boys under the age of 16 are now part of the incarceration system and they’re not even adults yet! If I thought I didn’t shed enough tears, anger and tears again, then I clearly had no idea for what would reveal itself within the next 48 hours. After my yoga session on Friday the 15^th, I’m woken up by the news of the Christchurch Mosque terrorist mass shootings which occurred in New Zealand, during Friday Prayer targeting Muslims, and killing all 50. 42 at the Al Noor Mosque, 7 at the Linwood Islamic Centre and 1later at Christchurch Hospital. At this point I have succumbed to my anxiety, stress level, worry, frustration and heartache. I felt numb because by noon, I am notified that Cyclone Idai, has just hit the shores of Mozambique.

Understand that, at this moment I STILL have not caught my breath yet as I am STILL mourning the deaths of all these innocent victims. Pieces of me were savagely torn apart and I did not have to know them personally to take it personal. By virtue of being human, these were my brothers, my sisters, my aunts, uncles, fathers and mothers whom were attacked.  Wondering how I could offer my help, a task often deemed so simple, was now so complex because I realized I didn’t know what that would mean in these specific contexts. I struggled to find the voice inside me to utter these words because the hoarse sound wouldn’t even escape. This is when I realized that I had to go back to my friend, Oxford and search up the term help, to better understand, and then apply it by any means necessary. This is still an ongoing process and will be consistent because helping should not just be an action, but a lifestyle. A hobby, a practice, a way of being.  I tapped deep into my wisdom and decided to not think logically, but instead wholeheartedly and be fully present and with a whole lot of intention. The people who died were victims of the unjust society we live in. South Africa has been praised by many countries for its progressive Constitution and Bill of Rights. The United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights also has endless rights that we, by virtue of being human possess and cannot be taken away from us. However, history and now the present times have indicated that these inalienable rights that we possess have been violated. The victims were racially and religiously discriminated against and subsequently lost their lives to these atrocious crimes. In just one week, the consequences of climate changes reached its peak and resulted in a series of what would be Africa’s worst natural disaster in the last century known as Cyclone Idai. Unfortunately, the most affected country was that of Mozambique which shares its border with neighboring Malawi and Zimbabwe. High water sea levels rose to an extreme high, and winds that swept at almost 200km per hour washed away 90 percent of the Sofala province’s capital city of Beira and the surrounding communities.

Infrastructure buildings were completely destroyed, homes, universities and monumental sites demolished or swept away altogether. There has been no electricity nor network coverage for the past week and the United Nations has declared it as a high-risk danger zone that requires immediate global assistance. Idai ravished homes, killed people, and caused mass population displacement by separating families from one another. The Mozambican nation is traumatized by what has escalated in the past few days, and more anxious for what lies ahead. When an unexpected disaster of this grand scale occurs, it is undoubtedly meant to instill fear for all those within the jurisdiction. There was not enough time available for people to prepare themselves, mentally and physically for Idai. More so, even if they were prepared and the government had provided metrological information about the disruptive weather changes, then maybe people would have attempted as a collective to move to other areas, and rescue team would be on standby. I could provide an endless list of ‘if only’ and ‘what ifs’, but the reality is that Idai has already happened. Mozambique has been listed endlessly by the Human Development Index which is a statistic composite index of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indiactors, which is used to rank tiers into four tiers of human development. Mozambique as one of the poorest countries in the world.

In 2016, the economic debt crisis downturned many investment opportunities which rendered even higher unemployment rates, low levels of education and school attendance, inflated food prices, and an unimproved healthcare system. Yes, there have been moments worth celebrating with the recently built Catembe bridge in Maputo that massively reduces the estimated travel time to the Ponta de Ouro islands as well as other areas. There is also the ongoing exploration and exploitation for what could be the world’s largest Liquid Nitrogen Gas (LNG) project in the Rovuma-basin which is expected to attract between $27-billion and $32-billion in investment. So, yes there is a glimpse of hope, but the real and current humanitarian issue that lies at the crux of the country and African continent is that of Idai. A picture needs to be panted to bring clarity to the life meanings which depict the inequality disparity in wealth, class, opportunities and privileges in Mozambique. With Idai, there will be extra effort and a serious approach needed by civil society and the government to ensure that the already excluded and marginalized people from Beira are not abandoned. This will be a time for the nation to stretch their hands in solidarity to ensure that despite this crisis, they will be able to participate actively as members of a society through inclusive and diverse initiatives to promote their social well-being.

The South African National Defense Force (SANDF), international organizations such as the Red Cross, and World Health Organization have all played their part in assisting affected families, providing aid, water and food as well as flying in rescue team volunteers. More so, the lusophone speaking diaspora, especially the youth from parts of Cape Verde, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe, Portugal and Mozambique have all shown efforts towards assisting by any means necessary. The solidarity of people from all stretches of life who have directed their efforts towards relieving the plight of people affected by Idai is powerful. May this be the kind of attitude and approach that we adopt on a daily basis towards one another irrespective of their race, age, sex and religion. I plead for us all to demonstrate our ability to continue to help, and be of service to all those that need us, we are after all, still not alright.