Like
any other soul in in this side of Africa, Sekhukhune is governed by the African
National Congress a party that has reigned for 20 years. In a democracy that
has left its puberty years behind, the truth is that somewhere in the privacies
of our own souls we are going through our own insecurities that the old
government has left us. The insecurities in fighting the demons of who we were,
who we are becoming and who will lead us?
When
they let us go, our nativity story was told all over the world, a very rare
nation was born, rainbow people. Never seen anywhere in the world. Black and free.
We
knew that we were always destined for something greater than what we were told.
Yes we were “black” but by blood, custom and tradition we were always royalty.
Before blacks became presidents, our statesmen were prince; sons of chiefs, descendants
born of kings and heirs of the African kingdom in the homelands of South
Africa. Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, whom his mother was the daughter of King
Dinizulu and granddaughter of King Cetshwayo of the Zulu royal family is the
leader of Inkhata Freedom Party, Madiba-our first stateman his father Gadla
Henry Mphakanyiswa, was the chief anointed by blood and custom of Mvezo of abaThembu
nation, and the notorious customs of Msholozi that transcends into Nkandla and
the sum of 20 broods from his loins has always seen himself as king than a
president. Even before democracy was unveiled, we were always kings. It has
always been in us to lead.
So
with the freedom in my heart and the history in my mind I choose to return to
Sekhukhune. I have not registered to vote instead I am choosing to return to
Sekhukhune. I am going back to seek understanding. Yes these are age old
African politics, and to some it will sound like tales that should remain in
school novels. But this leadership battle I am speaking about has so much in
the palms of its hands. This is what has held Sekhukhune from being more. More
like the Royal Bafokeng Nation and others. The government has not completely
saw to it that they pay attention to the indignation that we walked in for so
long the indignity that we- the people in Sekhukhune walk in division because of
the two kingdoms clashing, two heirs fighting for the same throne. To this
there are mines and investments that are chowed behind closed doors and
development is no where to be found. And we
need that development to feed our selves and take care of our land. Deep down this conflict and the greed
involved ceases us.
Much of the development in Sekhukhune is
wrapped around this conflict. It is the war of the people; elders advanced in
age and prickled with grey hair and tribal loyalists who are content to treat
the truth with contempt. Maybe voting for someone different like Helen (DA)
would have brought with it a positive change to the unresolved politics in my
land. Or Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi of IFP would understand better the
situation and do something about it. That perhaps I will find out later.
For
now, the soul of the people is wounded. And I know getting my young self
involved in this; I will also have a wound somewhere under my skin.
