In it was a 2-page article (see below) about our budding JV partner Sidwell Nxumalo and the UBUNTU Kraal in Soweto.
Immediately sent a note off to Nick in the UK, introducing myself and making this suggestion: 'Thought: How would you like to be an international/U.K. 'ambassador' for our Soweto promotion ideas leading up to 2010... we aim to come up with some innovative ideas to stimulate small business revenue-generation in Soweto... interested..?'
Responded Nick (shortened extract): 'Hi Trevor, Thanks for contacting me - yes, it seems like synchronicity. I loved my brief visit to Soweto and meeting Sidwell... keep me in touch - here is the story from the book and a photo of me with Sidwell as the Ubuntu Kraal.'
Look for inspiration in unexpected places
by Nick Williams
“People are like stained glass windows: they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within.” Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Inspired people know that inspiration is often found in places where we would least expect to find it. A couple of days after arriving in Johannesburg, my colleague, Richard has explained to me that on Monday we were going to visit Sidwell Nxumalo, Sid, a friend of his who lived in Soweto, and Richard said I’d find Sid inspiring.
My only images of Soweto were of violence, burnings and shootings, so I remained to be convinced, but trusted Richard, as he’d been there before. Officially just over a million people live in Soweto, but unofficial estimates put it at more like four million and growing daily. It’s busy and crowded, but better than I thought it would be, although I was still concerned for my own safety. As we approached Senokonyeana Street in Orlando West, Soweto, there was spirit – we passed the world’s largest murals painted on the side of Orlando Power stations. But I heard of the words I least wanted to hear from Richard’s mouth, which were “Nick, I think we’re lost”. A quick call to Sid’s mobile and we were on track again, and as we approached and entered the Ubuntu Kraal that Sid created, and it was as if we had entered an oasis. Even in the darkest days of apartheid, Sid had wanted to create something beautiful for the community.
So here’s the secret: Inspired people know when they have the eyes to see it, they can find inspiration anywhere
Sid explained to me, “The word ubuntu is a Zulu word and translates roughly as humanity towards others. But it means much more than this. The spiritual foundation of African societies, ubuntu involves a belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all of humanity, a unifying worldview best captured by the Zulu maxim umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu - 'a person is a person through other persons'.” I wondered if apartheid had been motivated by the very opposite, to dehumanise and disconnect.
Sid had managed to become the first black master builder in South Africa, and using his contacts and resources, managed to buy an ash dump from the government. Over a period of 20 years he had literally transformed this ash dump into the sanctuary in which I was now standing. It was a green, lush and beautiful oasis. There was a conference centre, community centre, a place for weddings, a swimming pool, kitchens, beautiful flowers, birds. I was astonished. He loved his community so much he wanted to create something beautiful for it. I then discovered that Sid has helped dozens of other people in Soweto start their own small businesses. Later as he drove us around it became obvious that he was a known and loved leader of his community, but had chosen not to go into politics as he believed he could achieve more without those incumbencies. He showed us the only street in the world where two Nobel peace prize winners had lived – Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela, and drove us past their houses.
We drove back to the centre and thanked Sid for his time and care, and we all hugged each other, another thought struck me. Richard had been in the army, so during apartheid Richard was responsible for implementing it. Fifteen years ago these two men in front of me hugging each other as brothers were enemies across a divide of colour and today they were friends in building a new country together. I was touched moved and inspired, in Soweto! I learned that over 20% of the people that visit South Africa now visit Soweto, around 250,000 people a year and it sets trends in politics, fashion, music, dance and language.
So here’s the secret: where people are, inspiration can be too. Beyond our fears and judgements, inspiration is often happening right now.
Wow... inspirational..!
And... right on our doorstep.
Our role must be to become proud ambassadors for stories like this emanating from Soweto and many, many grassroots communities across South Africa. Let's DO it!
Regards
Trevor
Trevor Nel - 705-2790 (011)
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