In aid of Black

“A house divided against itself cannot stand” Abraham Lincoln

While driving past Khayelitsha this Sunday I came across an image which has awakened so many suppressed emotions and thoughts in me, but above all these, it inspired a question which I have been in constant debate about with myself. The question I frequently ask myself is “As black people are we doing enough for our own community“?

I recently read an article regarding the recent matric pass rate in South Africa and it discusses how Menzi High School in Umlazi received a 100% pass rate for the fifth year running with one of its pupils receiving seven distinctions. This clearly indicates the potential we have to prosper as a black community despite our background and social constraints. When we do succeed, however, or make it past the township, do we remember to help those who are still struggling to make it out because of resource scarcity or social and economic constraints?

The daunting image of four children wearing Shoprite plastic bags as swimwear in Khayelitsha is one which is continuously haunting me. It is much easier for people to point fingers and ultimately blame the past misfortunes for the inequalities in our locations, (without disputing that), how about we take the hard route and actually invest in one another? Build each other up? Mentor the young to shape their future? Encourage one another? Start charities or join existing foundations in securing the future for the young? As a black community do we even know about volunteering? Do we know about giving back?

SAB #BeTheMentor
Community Food Empowerment Initiative
MaAfrika Tikkun
SHAWCO
Doing something for the underprivileged
Buying lunch for that one child who cannot afford to buy one for themselves
Mentoring that neighbor’s child who’s lost
Volunteering to help in Soup Kitchens
Using social media as a platform to help/encourage one another
Donating old text books

Before expecting help from outside communities how about we first attempt to build up our own community ourselves? As black people we make the majority of people in South, imagine what we could achieve if we all stood together, if we all contributed just a little towards helping those who do not have the means to help themselves. How about we start looking at the positive and bringing solutions instead of problems to an already damaged society?

With everything that is going on, let us always remember that as a black community we also possess the resources and capacity to uplift one another. It is said, after all, “charity begins at home” and “a house divided against itself cannot stand”.

Masibambhisane Mz’Onstundu!! #Ubuntu #BlackConsciousness #BlackMovement

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Published by Sibahle Teyise

Mholo, Hello, Groete, Sawubona, Lotjhani, Dumela, Ndaa, Avuxeni! I’m Sibahle Teyise, JAGWAT founder and head content writer. I have an Undergraduate Degree from UCT majoring in Public Policy and Literature, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma from UCT specialising in Marketing, Events Management and Business Communication. I am an author under construction, working on my book to be published soon- "When It Happens For Girls Like Us". I started JAGWAT in 2017, following the success of my personal blog - Tales Of The Mute. The inspiration to start JAGWAT came after hearing the sad stories of women being murdered on a daily basis, the violence against women as well as the many stories of women taking their own lives because of suffering in silence. JAGWAT provides a platform for women to take back the power by sharing their stories on a public central platform and with this, they show other women that they are not alone. I believe that when women stand together great things happen. No women should suffer in silence and the more we speak up as women and create a sisterhood and support group, the more powerful we can become. I am passionate about communities with women from disadvantaged backgrounds and JAGWAT supports Women Initiatives as well as making a difference in various schools from the township by offering assistance to learners in the form of mentorship and tutoring. I am a self-proclaimed book-worm and although I am a shy person, I am a motivational public speaker. I was heavily bullied in primary as well as high school and I am extremely passionate about Anti-Bullying campaigns and initiatives. I read, I write, I gym, I pray, I cycle, , I hike, I run, and pretty much everything in between. I am a weight loss motivator having lost 16kg in the past 2 years, which is quite an achievement for someone who can’t cook. (Thank GOD for food that can easily be boiled!!) I am a firm believer that an empowered women can empower other women and JAGWAT aims to be that platform for Women Empowerment. On a lighter note: I have the worst music playlist in the history of playlists. View more posts