{"id":1261,"date":"2024-12-23T03:35:02","date_gmt":"2024-12-23T03:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/afrobonics.com\/?p=1261"},"modified":"2025-01-24T03:02:14","modified_gmt":"2025-01-24T03:02:14","slug":"a-visit-to-the-motherland-zimbabwe-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/afrobonics.com\/?p=1261","title":{"rendered":"A visit to the Motherland Zimbabwe & South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For many years I have wanted to visit Africa, the Motherland, birthplace of mankind and the mother of soul and human awareness on this earth. Mainly this desire was driven by the desire to connect with an energy and vision greater than the one that was imposed upon us as African Americans… in a society built upon dehumanizing us. Like most African Americans, I have felt the need throughout my life to authentically validate my humanity and clarify my social<\/em> identity. It is sobering to understand that this fundamental human right: To exist with the full dignity of being (feeling) fully human<\/em> is in reality, a journey and process<\/em> for Black people and pointedly so for descendants of slavery in the western hemisphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It translates on a more personal level as an experience that would impact me spiritually and initiate a resurrection and renewing of my mind as the genesis for true knowledge of self. It turned out to be one of the precious times in life where the reality met and exceeded my expectations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trip presented a diverse range of emotions and realities. The spectrum ranged from the despair of seeing deep poverty and lack in places that had no lack of intellectual and industrial potential, to feeling hope in seeing the wealth of the resources and in the spirit and soul of the people. All of these experiences collectively exhibited a summation of the profound components of an overarching wisdom that connects you with sight sound and organic power in the birthplace of mankind, our birthplace in ancient wisdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The visit will stay with me for the rest of my life, inspiring and motivating me to actualize knowledge of self and excellence. The excellence that the motherland inspires transcends wealth and material possessions and asks you “what can you do to most fully and effectively incorporate yourself and your contribution to the human family (as an actualized human<\/em>)?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a 16 hour flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg and an overnight stay at the hotel\/airport, we flew into Zimbabwe the next morning and were greeted by tribal dancers at Victoria Falls Airport. The vibration was established and opened the door for our experiences on the trip with resilient and powerful energy. The stay in Victoria Falls was highlighted of course by the visit to the Falls Themselves. It was a breathtaking encounter with the beauty and power of nature. A theme that would repeat itself throughout the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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–Tribal dance greeting Victoria Falls Zimbabwe<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Victoria Falls, located on the border <\/em>between Zambia and Zimbabwe marked by the Zambezi River which is the 4th largest river on the continent and empties into the Indian Ocean after a 1600 mile run. <\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Baby elephant crossing road with young boy outside of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe<\/p>\n<\/div>

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We had a lively evening at the Boma Dinner and Drum show<\/a> which had an amazing buffet\/grill of a wide variety of meats\/game and select traditional African dishes topped off by an energetic and interactive drum and dance session. Later we spent a serene evening cruising on the Zambezi river enjoying delicious gourmet meals while watching hippos, elephants, warthogs and crocodiles roam the river and bush against the sunset background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Boma Dinner and Drum Show, Victoria Falls<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially, this restaurant was called The Boma \u2013 Place of Eating, but it was re-branded in 2016 to The Boma \u2013 Dinner & Drum Show to include the unique entertainment element that has made the experience a Victoria Falls highlight. The re-branding included a review of the food offering, entertainment, uniforms and d\u00e9cor.  The changes have made The Boma more contemporary, without losing its traditional feel. (From the website https:\/\/theboma.co.zw\/about-us\/<\/a> )<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Zambezi River<\/em> The fourth largest river on the continent traversing six countries and emptying into the Indian ocean after a 2700 km journey<\/p>\n<\/div>

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The next destination was Bulawayo. A roughly six hour drive from Victoria Falls. The main highway of Zimbabwe, once very well maintained, was riddled with potholes and erosion due to the constant wear and tear from heavy machinery and trucks operating from the local mines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Money that had been earmarked for repair has been swallowed up in government mismanagement and corruption. The vicious cycle of exploitation perpetuated by the country’s leaders in concert with foreign business interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Farm Road outside of Hwange <\/em>Zimbabwe. Traveling through rural Zimbabwe we encountered many mines owned by the Chinese which threatened the environment in the region and threaten the viability of tourism in the region<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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During our Bulawayo visit we had the opportunity to visit Sizane<\/a> School. We were able to deliver supplies to the schools and spend the day with the students getting to know them. It was amazing and inspirational to see the students there, articulate, confident and focused on preparing themselves and their country for a more prosperous future, a future where they will lead and regularly maintain safe paved roads, a healthcare infrastructure and a viable\/thriving tech sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sizane High School robotics class Bulawayo<\/em> In hindsight this was the zenith moment of the trip. Beyond sightseeing, it was an authentic connection with humans, our family from the motherland. For me It fosters an ongoing connection with the people, the country and the continent.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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The other highlight\/attraction in Bulawayao were the street vendor markets. There was a wide variety of art trinkets, prints, carvings, jewelry, stoneware and more. The haggling against an endless backdrop of vendors calling you to their stand for attention. All of this again, a testament to the hustling and creative potential energy for people in Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Downtown Bulawayo, Zimbabwe<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Artist displaying art prints for sale in vendor’s market in Downtown Bulawayo, Zimbabwe<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Next we returned to South Africa and spent a day in Soweto where we visited the home and church of Nelson Mandela, Constitution Hill (The prison turned museum that formerly housed Mandela and Mahatama Ghandi) and the apartheid museum in Soweto. It was a sobering day but once again the collective power of people willing to stand against oppression and injustice prevailed as the take away theme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Regina Mundi Church, Soweto South Africa<\/em> (Home church of Nelson Mandela) During the Apartheid era the Regina Mundi Church opened its doors to Anti-Apartheid groups and provided shelter to Anti-Apartheid activists. Because of the refuge it offered Regina Mundi is often referred to as \u2018the people\u2019s Church\u2019 or \u2018the people\u2019s Cathedral\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the 1976 student uprisings in Soweto many protesting students fled to Regina Mundi to escape the police bullets and teargas canisters. The police followed the students into the Church, firing live ammunition and damaging the Marble Altar and Crucifix. These bullet holes can still be seen today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

References https:\/\/www.southafrica.net\/na\/en\/travel\/article\/take-a-journey-into-the-centre-of-africa-s-rich-heritage-at-the-regina-mundi-church<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Mahatma Gandi and Nelson Mandela depicted with one another in a photograph at the former prison facility turned museum (Constitution Hill)<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Picture of Black Madonna at the Regina Mundi Church in Soweto<\/p>\n<\/div>

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We finished the trip with a visit to Etabeni Conservancy. The culmination of the trip was well translated as the return to the awesome power of nature and God’s creation. A well illustrated and powerful reminder of returning to the place from whence we came…geographically, metaphorically and spiritually. We finally saw some lions after a 3 day quest..on the last day the conservancy. That was the perfect message of empowerment through wisdom and patience to take home with me as the prevailing message of the trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Waterback mountain, Etabeni Conservancy (South Africa)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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zebra roaming the plains of Etabeni Conservancy S.A.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Rhinos foraging on the Waterback Mountain plains (Etabeni Conservancy S.A.)<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Lioness laying in the Bush (Etabeni Conservancy S.A.)<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Empowerment, wisdom, knowledge of self and understanding are the gifts I received from my visit to the African continent. These are all tools I pray for us to acquire as we embark on a journey for justice freedom and prosperity for the people from the continent scattered throughout the globe, and for the people in the world at large. African wisdom and black power understand that positivity and love for mankind at large is the path to a deeper connection with the creator. Africa will rise up in love unity and power and bring the world with her and turn this world right side up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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