By Dr Charles Leyman Kachitsa
It is common knowledge that in any town, village or city, only one major road leads to the centre where the heart of that area is. There may be some smaller feeder roads but only one road is considered major and the one that all who are on important mission would use. The centre is where all the things that hold an area together come to one representative symbol be it visual or imagined.
A major road leading to the centre is only identifiable by those with purpose. Even those carrying very important messages would have their focus on to the major road that leads to the centre of an area. In every town, city or village there will still be some people however few who ligger near its centre pretending also to be on important mission or carrying important messages. This later group would be those who would have missed their purpose and those looking for short-cuts to everything in life.
Are you on the right path, the path that leads to the centre? The centre is always where you would have planned and dreamed of reaching. It is only through sharp focus and knowing the right road to take that you can reach it. Some may advise taking short-cuts, but as has been said above for those on an important mission or carrying important message, there is only one major road to be followed to reach the centre successfully. I am sure you are on that path.
The quotes this week are from a book that is fresh from its launch yesterday. It brings unwavering tales of a village which like any other settlements, people have stories to tell. some stories passed from one generation to the other for sustenance of good cultural practices and to preserve heritage. I am sure the few selected quotations from this book listed below will enlighten you to one or two life lessons. Read and enjoy:
ECHOES OF NDONDA by Patricia Kulipa Chimangeni
“The sun, its journey across the heavens now at an end, slowly sank behind the horizon, surrendering to the quiet embrace of night. All around, the farm exhaled the chickens nestled in their coops, and the goats curled up in their pens, all seeking a place to rest, as the evening settled like a soft blanket over the land.”
“They stayed behind, and they were able to go about their cooking business without interruptions at least until the Toyota Hilux with its passengers came back from church. When they filed out of the car, the family that was left at the farm were amused to find out that the ‘church group’ had picked up an additional passenger. —— It was Gogo Langwani. ——- None of the passengers looked pleased with his presence. Mzati explained that Gogo Langwani had been at the church when they arrived. He had sung every hymn off-key, and when a member of the Women’s Guild finally stood up to reprimand him, his reply was far from appropriate for the ears of the congregation. Reverend Maliko promptly instructed the church stewards to escort him out. After the service, they found him waiting patiently by the car. Left with no alternative, they reluctantly brought him along.”
“The food was well complimented by Mzati’s choice of music at Mzime was too tired to do anything else. While they ate, Mzime narrated his journey and the myriad of breakdowns he had encountered. He then went for a bath and announced that he needed to rest. Not even the din of music from his speakers, which could be heard over the hills, was able to wake him up as the party went on throughout the day.”
“Her presence, calm but resolute, was a warning in itself. Her back was straight, her eyes cold, and her chin lifted just enough to say, ‘Try it.’ —— Mai Mkulu wavered. Her lips parted, then closed again. She cast one last burning glare at Liginet before turning on her heel and storming back into the house. —– Liginet stood still, unmoving but trembling. The rage that had pushed her forward had now collapsed inward. Her shoulders began to shake. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks, tears of frustration, of pain too long swallowed. She did not wipe them away. …….”
