Just Hold On...

Today I awoke with the Lord’s WORD in my heart.
 The type of WORD I needed to hear,
The type of WORD to give you that power-up  when your  bars are low and you’re videogame dying
 The type of WORD that randomly hits you without the animated stars around your head
The type of WORD that has you thinking…
 “Yes! There’s a GOD out there who loves me more than it’s reasonable to do so and so because I’m me… ‘Human’ and often barely bearable I am undoubtedly blessed”

This morning the Lord told me to hold on.
He said:
“Steph, I would never give you the responsibility of honour  you cannot maintain or achieve. When I let these great and wearying things occur I know that in you is the ability to overcome simply because I conceived it before your conception so how dare you mention, Lord I can’t deal or kneel in tears when your flesh and dark whispers tangled say you cannot do that which you are so well at.
 And this is why I adore you. I made you...just for this day and moment in your life as you rewrite the history of those that lived in the past that which you carry in you veins.
I said Steph!
 Hold
on.
 I neither slumber nor sleep, text or tweet. I’m watching your every move standing by just in case any self proclaiming fool names themselves (y)Our enemy.
Don’t forget.
Don’t protest.

Just hold on.

#TSKC

Talking Registration, Diasporan Voters &Western Handouts with ZEC’s Laetitia Kazembe

Hey guys! I caught up with one of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s Chairpersons’ or better put; I spoke the very sassy, religiously Catholic, well spoken Laetitia Kazembe who’s been doing this Electoral stuff for a good 12years(i.e. since the dark ages, in a good way though!).

Ironically in light of the virtual and actual chit chat about the elections I asked her some questions in an effort to make her the least bit comfortable, which she sailed through without a batting of her well mascara-d eyelid dodging the typical political mix and matching as she went. Long and short of the conversation here’s stuff you may or may not know, that is to sa if you know it vaguely good on you! If you don’t even better! If you do, read it anyway!

As we conversed about the Electoral elephants in the room, Mrs Kazembe was adamant the younger cool, or un-cool kids (younger generation(s)) were excited and more proactive in the voting process than most think, myself included. She noted this was clear in the nature of turnout and age groups coming to the Registration Centres littered around the country. However she did throw us some punches, pointing out the ‘youths’ tendency for taking the Right to Vote for granted; citing pure ignorance of the struggles experienced by our liberator’s as the cause, that and a lack of Civic Education, which the ZEC intends to include in school curriculums (OH OH! Looks like we skipped a few classes, too many!).  

For what it is worth I have always thought many of us Zimbabweans have tendencies of maintaining passive aggressive states of mind: a WHOLE lot to complain about, thorough social, economic and political observations and yet minimum hands-on solution provision. (That’s just me Steph-ing out loud)

In that light, Mrs Kazembe further pointed out the responsibility we each had to exercise Zimbabwean rights to Register and to Vote rather than sit on our...hands, moaning and groaning about everything, which (I repeat), we can really be good at!

   

Naturally, the issue of limited funding was raised; Mrs. Kazembe stressed ZEC’s intent to meet its immense list of tasks however the financial aspect has been a strong barrier. Thanks to the UNDP’s facilitation and the government’s permission however and other organisations such as SIDA (Swedish International Development Agency) and the Dutch Embassy that have been awfully generous; ZEC has managed to get up and running.  Even the EU has helped out people, “they are really interested that the election process becomes free fair and credible” said Mrs Kazembe. (They and we included!)

When I questioned the independence and possible conflict of interest between ZEC and its ‘donors’; she made it clear that the donations were based on a ‘no strings attached’ basis and ZEC’s independence is rooted in the constitution, citing that there would be ‘no deal’ once lines between donations and political influence were blurred.

On the subject of Registration she emphasized our options for the sticky ‘Proof of Registration’ issue:

v Bring either your old lady or man with a random utility Bill of your choice

v Bring your landlord along

v Ask one of your better organized mates to write you a letter proving you’re not a country hopping gypsy

v Fill in an affidavit at a Registration Centre of your choice, stating where you live then swear on it!

To be honest this sounded a whole easier than I thought it was!

Bad news for the Diasporans I’m afraid, Madam Laetitia made it crystal that zero provision had been made for them seeing as their condition is errm... NOT covered in the Constitution unless of course you’re an Ambassador’s something, a soldier, an officer of the etc. on State business then hey you can just mail your vote! (psssh! Simple!)

For information about everything ZEC related check out their website here, there you can find a snazzy list of the Registration centres (If you are like me yet to register!). If not don’t be a cheap skate buy a Newspaper its (ZEC) all over them. Register and Vote guys, while you’re at it try not carry machetes, throw rocks or chant insults; ‘One Love’. #TSKC

Stand

What is it about me you adore?

Is it too significant to ignore?

I don’t carry myself lightly,

Even if people and surrounding things try smite me into oblivion,

Yet still I carry on.

Tormented loneliness in my soul,

No, that’s not a window in my eye it’s a gaping hole.

 

Once I lost control,

All for love,

Its loss and echoing emptiness,

I ‘AM’ OUT OF CONTROL!

My emotions are on a roll,

Doing the pantsula, kicking dust in the air,

I breathe in contempt, NO! I am NOT content,

With the best of it,

I guess it’s the rest of me I should be worried about.

 

Once again I’m out and about, wondering,

Where is she?

Where is the one and only,

Whose body is as holy as a temple?

Let’s get rid of this phony,

‘Cause right now I can’t tell…

Is she here with me?

Buried deep under a lot more of me?

I think I met her once her name was Stephanie.

We’d skip gleefully through the dark corridors of life,

Hand in hand,

‘Thicker’ than thieves.

I told her “you have my heart” and she cut off her sleeves.

Dammit! Have you seen  her?

‘Cause it’ll be like bringing in the sheaves when we are finally together.

 

When she comes around,

If…

I’m still hopeful,

Shit! I’m living on a prayer so…

When she comes around,

Crown her…

If your wallet is under

Do it on a budget

Bow down but don’t lie…

Just let her, even for a minute …Stand

Just…let her do it,

For this moment…

 Let her Stand.

 

 

 

 

Poke YOUR Nose into this: The Rotaract Club of Harare West get dirty as they lend a hand in Domboshava!

Not many people have the foggiest of ideas of what Rotaract is or what it’s about or if anyone in it is bone-able. Being a recently inducted Rotaractor and lover of all things interactive I have been asked to explain it numerous times but after this past weekend I can safely say, you need to be in it to get it. That is get knee deep into the selfless action oriented bit (the part that matters) get to have a jam and socialize (the part that also matters *wink*), network and be schooled in thoughts that never crossed your mental server (the reward that comes with the knee deep stuff) and much more I’m probably yet to experience! In simple words its helping other people take care of themselves, its feeding the hungry with a loaf of bread, its teaching them to farm the darn wheat (wheat not weed PEOPLE!), its keeping strangers warm during these cold winter nights; its turning a ‘shamble’ into a walled and floored Home.

That’s precisely what we ‘Wild Wild Westerners’ got up to on an almost early Saturday morning. I say almost because like most things in life we met a few of life’s *EHEM!*, obstacles; road blocks, ‘almost’ flat tyres, not-so-morning-people, possible overloading and transport woes to mention a few!

But with the resilience of 5year olds on a scavenger hunt we pulled through and made it out to the outskirts deep in Domboshava, so deep we made the rest of the trek on foot to a tattered place called home to Baba naMai Passmore; the couple we have been assisting for a little close to a while.

This couple has six children (yes you read right), two girls; Chiedza (1 ½ yrs), the adorable Maude (5yrs) and four boys; Passmore (roughly 16yrs), Goodmore (12yrs), Titus (9yrs) and the both mischievous and timid Joshua (7yrs). Of the bunch only Titus and Goodmore are attending school while Joshua is yet to step into a classroom due to funding. Maude is due for Pre School as well but unfortunately the chorus of funding is certainly sung in the highest note under these circumstances. Stationery, school uniforms, day to day nutritional requirements, a secure roof over their heads, a cement and not dirt floor as well as actual windows lengthen the list of what, not only the family needs BUT what these children deserve as a human right to ‘be’.

The Rotaract Club of Harare West have and continue to do what they can to fill in the blanks where resources can; a blanket here, a pair of previously love clothes here and there, etc

That’s where YOU come in… YOU’RE the missing link… no effort is too small… no donation is irrelevant in cash, kind, time or expertise. At the risk of sounding like a chain message here; take a moment (no, seriously just a minute!), and think of what you have to offer to this family or to the Harare West Rotaractors Club as a member….*moment of silence for your thoughts*

Now Grab this guy's contacts and get involved;

Rotaract Club of Harare West, President Elect :
Victor:victormabika@gmail.com

 I can’t promise won’t love it though.
 YOU have been warned! #TSKC

I Love My Family

 This will be a relatively short and emotion filled, soggy as a damp tea dunked biscuit post.  Guys …I love my family. I know you’re thinking duh! Of course you do but you don’t get it …

I have taken a look back in time and there is one thing that is largely consistently my family… we have lost a few good soldiers on our way of course but… we have managed to dust ourselves up as we go. Chanting optimistic war-cries!

 Drinking to our fill, glasses half full of empathy, sacrifice and the type of love God Himself created. Agape.  

Not all are blessed with that amount of love and companionship BUT we all have some kind of family… The most important aspect is NOT to take for granted the actions and emotions experienced by those that give a damn about you.

It is always tempting to go trampling over their opinions, advice and smothering.

These people will NOT always be around.

I would take a bullet for them … YES I would! (Only if the situation demanded it OBVIOUSLY! )

Spent a little time…show you love and appreciate them because being YOUR family is free. I myself am on the road to recovery, working on treating them better and saying I Love You more often. You can come along too there’s enough room for the both of us ;-) .

#TSKC

Poetry From Way Back Then Pt.1

I wrote this back in 2010, barely two years after my sister's death. 

It was a dark,confusing and painful time. 

Worse yet it was a time of faithlessness.  

Here's one snippet of my many my internal fights:

My Internal Ying &Yang

Where there is evil there is good

Where darkness dwells there light to illuminate it

Where you feel love you feel hate

When you revenge you feel remorse

Where there is pure goodness evil is ready to take its place

When I’m happy the darkness creeps in bringing me back down that path

The path...

The path of deep rooted sadness within

How do I stop it?

I keep debating

Should I stop it?

Do I need these emotions?

Do I really want to feel??

If I let it engulf will love ever beseech me again

Its tentacles threaten me

They move suggestively

They entice me

I debate even more so

Do I really truly want to know?

Oh how beautiful the feeling of blackness can be

I know not if I still know the true meaning of beauty

Its version is much more sinister

Perverted and twisted is my new mind

Leave me alone I shout

The light listens

So pure end considerate it can be in such dire moments

You do not even try to dance suggestively

Am I this worthless to you?

You won’t bother to seduce me?

Curses from the grave! For in the pits of my soul I crave goodness

Regardless of how empty and void I may be

I know not what it will be....

I know not how to be

One without the other

Can I love without hate?

Can there be light without darkness

And darkness void of light

Can I be joyful without the slightest sadness?