Deutschland...Vaterland
Today sees three months and four days of me in Deutschland. I have gone through the passing of my father and toured the world while here. I have had to be an ambassador for my land, my culture and my people, not only in my host town of 8000 people, but also to the rest of Europe. Many have asked hard-hitting questions about my land and my people, I have had to answer.sSome asked humiliating questions and it was my job to set things straight. Some see my land as a treasure, while others see it as a sad story.
My personal story is not far from that of an average South African child who needs to struggle for basic dignity amidst the daly songs of wailing and tear drops. I tell them that as an African, it has been embroidered in me to struggle.Once I struggled for rights, now I struggle for peace and security.
It takes more than just what you achieve to give you a full definition of yourself, I explain, it takes that story behind that that defines you, it is the people who where around you.
Today marks an important day in my stay in Germany, it is the day where I finally,truly realise what is on my shoulders. I thought it was just flying my multicoloured flag up high for the world to see or to just experience everyday life in a country that has made its name known through wars and eras. I realised that I have come to go.
My mission is to collect as much as I can, learn the European man and understand him. He has made his history a tool to his future.
Maybe I am wrong, I may have not got it, but, for now I will take on this mission.
Lebohand Dube