Sing with me…
”Last Night, I Couldn't Even Get An Answer, I Tried To Call, But My Pride Wouldn't Let Me Dial, And I'm Sitting Here, With This Blank Expression, And The Way I Feel, I Wanna Curl Up Like A Child…
If I Told You Once, I Told You Twice, You Can See It My Eyes, I'm All Cried Out, With Nothing To Say, Your Everything I Want It To Be, If You Could Only See, Your Heart Belongs To Me, I Love You So Much, I'm Hurting For Your Touch, Come And Set Me Free, Forever Yours I'll Be, Baby Won't You Come, And Take This Pain Away…” P Diddy and Keisha Cole

Top of the morning to the masses.

Friday is Africa Day, the day that celebrates the anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union), back in 1963. At the risk of being critical and negative, what do we have to celebrate? Other than hope for a better tomorrow I cant think of too much else! Last week I was watching a New Zealand rugby show and they were discussing the situation in South Africa’s rugby where the president of the Rugby Union, added a player to the squad without consulting the coaching staff and selectors…the comment from the presenter when asked how this could happen was something along the lines of, this is Africa, presidents can do what they want, how and when they want. U decide what to make of that comment. I was watching SABC Africa the other day and all I heard was how many conflicts there were on this continent. People are hungry yet they can fight, kill their own and we preach an African unity, when all I see is Xenophobia and ethnic cleansing…but there is hope! What else can you place your faith in? The current leadership?…some maybe…at a push. The correct commercial use of its natural resources to the benefit of this continent?…well not with the current leadership and mindset. I heard this once, we can put a man into space yet there are people on this continent dying of a common cold I think it was or some other arbitrary disease that people shouldn’t die from! HOPE…Hope that one day, every one will have food, running water and a roof over their heads, hope that one day power will be but another word and not desire to rule and control that leads to the death of many…unnecessarily!

Some quick Africa facts:
Africa (translated means sunny or without cold) is the second largest continent and second most populated continent (+/- 844 mil people) after Asia
There are 61 regions and territories (4 of which are still European dependencies)
Most populated is Nigeria (capital Abuja) with 130 mil people and least is St Helena (capital Jamestown) with 7 300 people.
The largest by area is Sudan, capital Khartoum (but plenty of that country is desert), the smallest is Melilla a Spanish dependency which is only 12km2 in size
English and French are still very common languages thanks to colonialism. The French seized most of the North Western part of Africa and the English were all over the show, some west, east and southern African countries. Other European countries that colonized Africa were Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal
Thanks to slavery, colonialism, constant conflict, Africa is still the poorest continent, the last 25 countries on the UN Human Development Report are all from Africa
Botswana is one of the fastest growing countries in the world and Zim is the only country on this continent that is reporting negative growth
The most prevalent religion is Islam
Africa is viewed by many as the origin of humankind

Anyway…

su·per·fi·cial -
1. being at, on, or near the surface: a superficial wound.
2. of or pertaining to the surface: superficial measurement.
3. external or outward: a superficial resemblance.
4. concerned with or comprehending only what is on the surface or obvious: a superficial observer.
5. shallow; not profound or thorough: a superficial writer.
6. apparent rather than real.
7. insubstantial or insignificant: superficial improvements

Before I go on, I must warn you that this email may come off as arrogant or self righteous, its not the intention, but alas, u r entitled to your opinion hence why we are individuals and hence why I wrote this particular email.

On Friday nite I was out with some old school mates, one in particular who I hadn’t seen in a long while, but he is one of my oldest mates. Good man that one. He has been living in the bush in one of our African neighbours for the last 2 years or so and he spends his life training teachers and teaching. Anyway so we are out and I make a comment about some lovely lass who was approaching…it was like I flipped a trip switch…”Pepsi, you must stop being so superficial…blah blah”. iYo…and then??!!
Now I don’t think I am superficial…offensive defense…Yaw: “WHAT THE…HOW THE…”. Verbal diarrhea overcame me. I wanted to understand where the fork this ‘kak’ was coming from, and then it was laid out, “all u are about is hot chicks, this and that”…hmmm. “I saw the pride in ur eyes when u showed me a picture of your ex girlfriend”…”and then when we were at News Cafe the other day u left us to go and sit with that pretty girl”…that was u Anthie…hmm

I was pretty bleak… superficial, shallow…well I never!! My momma didn’t raise no shallow boy, well other than Kwaks…jokes bro…nothing but love! Then the defense started… all my counter arguments, bro u asked about whether I have a girl and I said I don’t but I had one, first one in pleeeeeenty a year and I showed u the pic…u asked, bra sorry I pointed out that hot lass to u, unfortunately I haven’t spoken to her and its mos a bar so I can’t say wooow how hot is that lass’s personality”…

… And then I thought about it, so what if I am superficial, shallow? If that’s the interpretation of who I is? Then so be it. We are all individuals entitled to our opinions on how we see others or how we choose to live our lives. I have an idea of how I want my life to pan out in terms of the things that I can sort of control hence why I went to varsity and even though a truck load of fun at times, the majority of my out of lectures time was spent holding down a couple of jobs, doing the library thing or the computer labs (and shoo how ‘hot’ were the ladies in the libraries Moi? ;-)) instead of getting hammered and living ‘la dolce vita’. A cross I was willing to bear. BComm, articles, board exams etc. because I like debits and credits…mmm NYET (no in Russian, thanks Tumi)!

Mind u, thus far I have been very blessed and fortunate in terms of the people whose path’s I’ve crossed as well as some of the opportunities that I have been presented with.

That being said our current dispositions are the result of the options or choices we make in our lives. A person shouldn’t have to explain or apologise for the types of people they are attracted to, where they hang out, the kind of people they hang out with, what car they drive. If you see it as making me shallow, well then shallow I am. The world is a big place and if I had to spend my life trying to seek approval from everyone for my actions, thoughts, words, I would definitely be spending a lot of time on a shrinks chair cos the world would be a sad, sad place for me.

Sheesh bra its hard work trying to spade a ‘hot’ chick (slightly easier if u r me ;-)). To her smoothly I approached tried to speak but almost choked…(Snap) “…so like ehh miss I was standing on the other side of the room and the way…the way the light bounced off the tip of your nose and refracted off your lipstick and ended up reflecting off your right incisor when u smiled, wooow…I knew it was love, so can I interest u in an afternoon of gardening sometime?”
Bra it takes years mastering such opening lines J
…back to ‘seriousness’.

Don’t get me wrong, I really appreciated my mates comments because it got me debating with myself which is the best sort of debate, I questioned myself. I answered myself. At the end of the day, what I own or who I am seen with, where I am seen doesn’t necessarily define who I is. It may be part of my make up at a certain point in my life, but it’s not who I is. Some of you might disagree (which is fine) and may ask: how one separates these? My answer may not be correct for everyone, but the way I look at it is as follows: all I own and any girlfriend or friends that I had once had can be taken away, but at the end of the day I will still be as I was before or with them. I definitely would have learnt a thing or two and would be a better person for it, but the fundamentals will remain. I make my choices and decisions in this life and the consequences thereof I must learn to deal with. I think people that spend R400 on a neck tie are pretty crazy, but that’s my opinion. The nice things about your mates is they can give you advice and commentary on how they see you or see where they believe you are going wayward, the rest is up to you to analyze and determine whether or not you want to change it.

“Oooh it takes every kind of people to make the world go round…” That’s why God and man made a world that provides options to cater for the worlds many different personalities.

To thine ownself be true…always! When the time comes for you to change anything about yourself or the way you do things, trust u me u will…its life!

Onto some other pressing matters… It’s damn cold in Mzansi at the moment, and I know that you have some clothes in your cupboards that u haven’t worn in years. Here is what I am suggesting and anyone who is keen to help with a blerry bakkie please put ur hands up, cos u know us superficial guys don’t have cars with space for more than 2 ;-). What I am suggesting is that of you all in Jozi gather all your old clothing (if you can separate guys and girls it would be great). Once this is done please let me know and I will give you a meeting point where I and whoever else will collect these old items of clothing. And drop em off at a home or 2. Secondly if anyone knows of any homes please do let me know. My aim is to do this next week Saturday.

If anyone wants to do this for Durbs, Cpt etc, let me know and I will forward your names to the masses

Birthdays
22nd Sir Lancelot
24th Rich Marshall and Amrain
26th Natalia (Moi, please pass on my best)

And that’s me for another week. Maximum respect as always

Y
‘Que sera sera’

“Chemistry was crazy from the get-go, Neither one of us knew why, We didn't build nothing overnight, Cuz a love like this takes some time, People swore it off as a phase
Said we can't see that, Now from top to bottom, They see that we did that (yes), It's so true that (yes), We've been through it (yes), We got real sh** (yes)
See baby we been...

Too strong for too long (and I can't be without you baby), And I'll be waiting up until you get home (cuz I can't sleep without you baby), Anybody who's ever loved, ya know just what I feel, Too hard to fake it, nothing can replace it, Call the radio if you just can't be without your baby”

Come on sing with me “heeeey oohhhhhh”…if u don’t know this song sorreee for u! But I am sure the rest of you were feeling me on this. Whats going on gangsters?
Let me tell u whats going on…3 weddings…2 garters in my possession. Me thinks the universe is trying to tell me something, I just don’t think its telling the same story to the ladies that seem to be crossing my path J. Before I continue, Mrs Big Fun u looked absolutely radiant on your wedding day miss, and that smile…

Big Daddy Degs, nice work boss, 4 kg super stud outside centre…with hands ;-)

Before I proceed though big up to DJ, welcome to our little community hope u guys enjoy it, to read some of the older ones or to drop of comments go to www.mondaymail.blogspot.com

Once again… and it seems to be happening rather frequently nowadays, but I had nothing to write and then I received a newsletter from my medical aid which stated that the 8th May was Red Cross appreciation day or something to that effect. That got me thinking, Red Cross, its like a hospital but hmm, but what is it, what does it symbolize, stand for how was it started. So here is some of what I read

In 1859 whilst on his way to France to have a chat to Napoleon III, the then emperor of France, about the difficulties he was facing whilst trying to do business in Algeria (French colony at the time) Swiss Businessman Henry Dunant, witnessed the Battle of Solferino on June 24th (a battle he would later write a book about). Within a day there were roughly 40000 soldiers either dead or incapacitated as a result of this battle and they lay in the battle fields with no one to tend to them. He abandoned the initial reason for his visit and took it upon himself to successfully mobilize a team to aid the wounded.

Shocked at the aftermath of battle, upon his return to Geneva, Switzerland, he and 4 others, Gustav Moynier (lawyer), Louis Appia (a physician), Theodore Maunoir (physician in the Geneva Hygiene and Health Commission) and Guillaume-Henri Dufour (a Swiss army general) founded the “Committee of Five”. This was done on the 9th Feb. 1863. This was the birth of the Red Cross.

It is symbolized by a red cross (the inverse of the Swiss flag) or a red crescent on a white backdrop. It is known to all internationally as a symbol of hope as well as an ease of suffering to all those who are victims of both man-made and natural disasters. “The movement” covers 2 institutions namely the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Red Cross has over 97 mil workers (most if not all of whom are volunteers). The movement has its head office in Geneva and national societies in around 185 countries all over the world.

The 1st Geneva convention was held in 1864 where 12 states signed its 10 articles which offers protection to wounded soldiers and those caring for them. There were many dates of significance in the timeline of the movement, but nothing gave it more credibility and status than when in 1901, its founder Henry Dunant shared the first ever Nobel Peace prize with Frederic Passy, a leading international pacifist. The ICRC won the prize again in 1917, 1944, 1963.

World War 1 was the event that demonstrated to the world the need and the use of the movement. It cared for many POW’s and served as a database of sorts for people looking for loved ones. It was once again called upon in World War II

The movement is governed by 7 basic principles namely, Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality. These principles were adopted in a conference in Vienna in 1965.

Some of my research may be outdated but it was stated that there have been roughly 14 presidents, the current president (since 2001) is Don Juan Manuel Suarez Del Toro Rivero of Spain (I had to tell u this cos his name alone makes up one sentence J, one less sentence to write, oh wait the days of English comprehension are long gone, and I can write as long or as short as I please…)

This is a very brief overview of how it started and what it stands for if you are keen to read more, go to the following websites:
http://www.redcross.int/en/default.asp and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Cross

Birthdays
6th Taz
7th Shakira
9th Dear Sis Nana
10th Adjoa
11th Dan H, Liezel
12th Dearest Moms

And I guess that’s me for another week. I must tell u though “to thine ownself be true”. To all u out there that are umming and ahing about a situation or a decision, I say Carpe Diem (seize the day), regret through inaction is a bia tch!

Big love and maximum respect!

Y
‘que sera sera’

“Be good to your parents, to relatives, to orphans to the needy, to neighbours near and far, to travelers in need, and to yourselves. God does not like arrogant, boastful people, who are miserly and order other people to be the same, hiding the bounty God has given them.” Qur’an (4:36)

“No man is a true believer unless he desires for his brother what he desires for himself” Selection from the Hadith (sayings or traditions of the Prophet Muhammad)

So many holidays…a full week of work?!… pah! I spit on that. How are u good people? As always (well almost always) a smile on my dial and a bounce in my step hope the same holds true for u! For those that are wondering about Snow White, she is going to be ok, just a bit of plastic surgery, and she will be as good as new…well I hope. She is in the recovery room J

Before I go on, whazup Miss Leila, welcome to our weekly mail, any comments please mail me or go to www.mondaymail.blogspot.com.

I know I have been slacking for a while now, but I hope this weeks email will be of some use to you. I’ve been interested in Islam (which by the way has a dual meaning of peace and submission) for many a year and my interest was renewed last year and even more so this year. I spent my last 2 years living in Cape Town as most of you might know and I realized that the majority of my really good mates were Muslim (the word Muslim means ‘one who surrenders to God’…by the way. Realised this during the holy month of Ramadan when everyone was fasting and thus there was no one to hang with J Anyway a few weeks ago I went out to buy a book about Islam, cos I had a basic understanding…very basic and wanted to know more. U know what they say about knowledge…

I bought this book called “What do Muslims believe?”, and once again its one persons version of the religion and so what I write or what I think I understand may be far off, but it’s a start.

Small things like the term jihad, we all believe it to mean a Holy War, well cos that’s what Sky news and CNN report it to be…fueled of course by a small group of radical extremists (which all religions have…Verwoed, Nazi’s). The word jihad in reality is actually a very highly “spiritual, intellectual and social concept”. The word means “to strive…to do your utmost”. There are 4 types of jihad, the first and the highest and best being the jihad with yourself and your ego, the second is the jihad with your wealth and intellect, then the jihad with your greed, bad intentions and lust. The fourth is the one we are most familiar with and that is armed struggle. According to the Qur’an, this form of jihad can never be in the form of aggression but rather defence against oppression when all else fails. It can not be in the form of terrorism. It can not be against women, children, old people and civilians. Houses, wildlife, cattle and trees can’t be destroyed. Jihad can’t be declared unilaterally by one group, it is the result of much debate and discussion and the whole community decides that this is unfortunately the only option left. And this is just one principle about the religion that has been so badly misrepresented and misinterpreted and I guess misunderstood.

Another example would be the term halaal, everyone takes it to refer to just meat,but what it mean is something that is lawful, good and beneficial and the term Haram means the opposite (unlawful, bad, non-beneficial). An interesting thing though is items that are considered Haram can be considered halal in certain circumstances eg. If u were dying of thirst and booze was the only thing available you are allowed to drink.

I could go on forever and shed some light on all that I read, for example Islam believes Adam to be the first man as well as the first prophet. Muslims believe all religions of the book, Christians and Jews to be true believers in God. Islam was started in the 7th century (in Mecca) and taught by Muhammad son of Abdullah and his journey was long and hard. Islam is presented as a “continuation of the religious tradition established by Abraham”. His teachings and sayings as well as the path he walked and lived is referred to as the Sunnah

There are essentially 4 pillars of Islam, some say there is 5 but the fifth isn’t really a pillar but rather a fundamental definition of what makes a person a Muslim. Its known as the Shahadah, a declaration/affirmation made by all believers which states “there is no god but God; and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah”

There are 2 parts of the Shahadah. The first part is that all are equal before God, regardless of colour, race, creed, belief, sex or persuasion. The second promotes a positive way of life. It teaches/reminds us that all humans are born of a pure soul and reminds us to treat our environment and our fellow man with kindness and goodness of heart.

The 4 pillars are as follows:

1. Prayer (salah):5 times a day:
Fajr the early morning prayer after dawn and before sunrise
Zuhr: the early afternoon prayer after midday until late afternoon
Asr: late afternoon prayer up until sunset
Magrib: sunset prayer performed immediately after sunset…this is also the time that the evil spirits are at their most active…thanks Tas
Isha: night prayer from sunset till midnite/dawn

During prayer you only have one focus and that’s realizing that there is a divine presence. Your mind should be focused on that single goal. There are 2 parts to prayer, the fard (obligatory part) which the whole ‘congregation’ says and then a personal part the sunnah (same word as the path or example set by the prophet) which is said alone.

2. Fasting
Fasting happens during the wholly month of Ramadan. It is an exercise of self-control more than anything. The main aim of fasting other than bringing you closer to God is to instill spiritual discipline. It teaches your mind and body to rather endure hardship and deprivation rather than to give into temptation. It builds steadfastness. Whilst fasting you are not allowed water, food, sex as well as immoral thoughts and actions…its hectic! Just as an aside, the Islamic calendar is also made of 12 months but the calendar is lunar and the months consist of 29/30 days, thus making the Islamic year about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. I try and fast one day every year, its not too bad, but sheesh I think for a whole month I’d die!

3. Zakat (poor tax)
This is basically giving to those less fortunate than you. By giving Zakat, it is believed that you plant a seed for the growth of your wealth. It’s not charity but rather an obligation to give to those less fortunate as they have a right to receive from those more fortunate. It is calculated at a rate of 2.5% on all income and wealth including jewelry, property, shares, savings, crops, cattle etc. and its not optional. Islam teaches that wealth must be accumulated through moral and legitimate means and shared with all.

4. Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) translated it means effort
The Hajj took place a good few months ago (during the month of Dhul Hijjah) and it is written that every Muslim who has the means should make this trip at least once in their lifetime. It involves a trip to Mecca. Once you get there the men are draped in 2 pieces of white cloth known as ihram, the ladies wear a white dress. During this period you are not allowed to hurt or abuse anyone, not even an insect, no sex, perfume or jewelry. No dishonest thoughts or arrogance. The hajj lasts 5 days from the 8th till the 13th of the month. All the pilgrims make their journey to the Ka’bah (a cube-like structure draped in black cloth) in the Sacred Mosque in Mecca. The Ka’bah is seen as the symbol of the beginning, past and present of Islam and a connection to the life of the Prophet Muhammad. The pilgrims walk around it 7 times with continuous prayer. There is another part of the pilgrimage involves running between the hills of Safa and Marwah 7 times, this signifies the “human souls perpetual quest for the essence of spiritual tranquility”. From the mosque, the next journey takes the pilgrims to the valley of Muna. The next morning the pilgrims head off to the pleins of Arafat where they stay till sunset. When the sun passes the meridian, millions of Muslims gathered there all start praying together. That must be a sight to behold, for as far as the eye can see there are millions of people standing up, saying the same prayer, kneeling...After sunset the pilgrims make their way to a place called Muzdalifah where they spend the nite under the stars. The next morning they head back to Muna where they stay for 3 days. During these 3 days they perform a ritual called stoning the devil. There are 3 pillars erected which the pilgrims throw pebbles at. If I am not mistaken it is during this time that most of the stampedes happened in the past. The stoning of the devil is supposed to symbolize the pilgrims casting out their own devil from within. The hajj ends with a ritual bath, trimming of the hair and giving sacrificial meat or the cash equivalent to the poor.

Another quick revelation…well for me at least…The veil that the ladies wear didn’t start during the time of the Prophet. During the time of the Prophet, women moved freely in society, prayed in the Mosques with men they actually played leading roles in society. It was not until Caliph Umar (one of the 4 that came after the Prophet) that the ‘group areas act’ was institutionalized. He instituted, separate prayers for men and women and insisted women cover themselves. He got this from a verse in the Qur’an that states ”tell believing males to lower their gaze and be modest: that is purer for them. And tell believing women that they should lower their gaze and be modest, and to only display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veil over their bosoms…” (24:30-31).

That’s me for another week, I know it’s a pretty abrupt ending, but I hope I have sparked some interest in ur minds, to get along we must understand each other properly, well that’s what I believe! U all take it easi see.

Birthdays
2nd Kanchana
4th Gareth
5th Nana Sao, Peace

“The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.” - Francis Maitland Balfour

Maximum respects and please any comments or anything I may have left out or misinterpreted please do correct me and all of us. www.mondaymail.blogspot.com

Y
“Que sera sera”