Getting into Formation

Saturday

7:00 am

“I hate waking up early on Saturdays,” I thought. “Should I go or should I stay? “I was musing over a commitment I’d made earlier on in the week. Well if you want people to take you seriously, you had better go and keep your word. Urgh! Alright conscience I give in to you!

I got up, got dressed and ready to leave the house. I had promised to be a part of march, a demonstration against the use of drugs and I was keeping my pledge. I got on a taxi and jumped off just in time to hear a consortium of drums and people chanting, it seemed to be coming from the R.E.C. Wellness Centre (formally known as the LDAC Centre.)

As I approached the group of adults, children and cars, I was greeted first by the   Police vehicle, then by the little red t-shirts of children, followed by larger white t-shirts of the adults with a banner and an inscription on them. I couldn’t see the print from where I was, “I’ll read that once I’m closer” I thought.

“Hello! Fifi!” Someone disturbed my train of thought and I looked up to see a wave followed by a notion to advance. I began to briskly walk towards two smiling faces as I caught sight of A. and F. “Join in.” A. Said with her boisterous tone. I quickly fell in line after a round of brief tugs that I gave to each of them. Then I saw L. (My prayer warrior-angel). He smiled at me and waved his free hand, while holding a camera in the other. Man I love this kid! I thought as he shuffled over and gave me a quick hug.

9:20 am

“Ons is lankal dik van Tik! Lankal dik van Tik!!! {We are sick and tired of Tik!! ( a local variant of crystal meth )} We chanted our message with greater urgency as we passed the old high school where I used to attend. Even though it was a Saturday some of the kids where in casual clothes hanging around the entrance gate. A few looked at us with questions on their faces, others smiled and waved eagerly, while yet a few more looked amused by all the commotion.

In front of the ‘R. E. C. Wellness Centre’ banner, but after the drums and the police car, were three kings carrying a makeshift coffin. As we marched I found myself amused by the break out in doses of administered caricature from the three. I guess they certainly picked the right fellows for the job; do drugs and either end up in the coffin or crazy like them. LOL

10:00 am

We arrived in Chrisville where the march would culminate in a showcase of talent and testimonies from patients of the R. E. C. Wellness Centre. We marched past open doors and residents peering out from their homes, and as we did a second turn, I couldn’t help wondering if the drug dealers were’nt the ones peering at us through doors and the cracks in the walls. Were we the ones who needed to be afraid and to be thankful for the police escort or were they just as fearful of us? Small kids who were attracted by the noise began joining the protest and I calmed myself with this thought,  “No one would dear do anything in broad daylight.” I hadn’t done anything like this since my varsity days. I thought back to varsity on the Wits West Campus, although I always seemed to spend my lunch breaks on the East side. I flashed back to the rock buns from 7/11, the green library lawns and of course the student protests. Initially I had been a part of that, but I grew weary of polities and the unrest towards the end of my years at Wits. It did however feel nostalgic and good to be a part of something like that again. It felt good to be a part of something bigger than me; I took a breath, raised my fist and shouted louder. “For the children!” I thought.

12:20 am

We got to our destination where there was a prepared stage, a covered carport,  chairs set out and a borrowed sound-system. Before I sat down; I borrowed an oversized t-shirt from green-eyed R. just to fit in. The King had a fresh cut and was not about to deny me my request; not since he’d been trying to get into my good books. I’ll get into that story another time😊. Like most events I found myself engaged with the children; we laughed and chatting while enjoying the show. They were such intelligent company. After the event E. walked me home. I was fulfilled; I’d used my time to make a difference.

All lives matter,

Fi