Martha Meyer – On 14 October the Media came to the Mission (from a few media houses). One of the media houses’ on-sight reporter was asked by the television Reporter (I apologise I don’t know all the terminology) whether the ‘tour’ was controlled and whether they could talk to any unsupervised people. The on-site reporter said that the tour was very controlled and they could only travel around in a bus and they at no point were able to talk to unsupervised people (which is normal for tourists anywhere in the world, the tour guide is always concerned for your well-being). She also said the school ‘sang a few gospel songs’; there is a huge difference between Mangizondele, Lord Make Us Instruments of Your Peace and Nothing Ever Can, Nothing Ever Will; and gospel music. We gave it our all just to welcome them and make them smile. It is pretty disappointing to here all she could say was we ‘sang a few gospel songs’.
I just wanted to point out as a Grade 10 learner at DSS, before they came to the school our principal, Miss Newlands, told us that we must be prepared to talk about our experience at DSS if they asked us to. Fact is, they did not. This was so disappointing because looking around I knew there were those of us that were rearing to speak but we all know that children are better off seen and not heard, so out of respect to our school and the Media we did not charge up the stage.
They did not say anything or ask anything, and their responses were quite stiff compared to normal (Important) visitors we sing for. As DSS learners it is always amazing to see an elderly or prominent group of visitors walk into our school hall before our singing, with bland faces expecting another of those rabbles of teenagers; and then walking out crying, smiling or inspired by us and having given us their vote of confidence in our education, educators, elders and the work the school has done in our lives. Why, just a few days ago the MEC said to us that we should keep up the standard and I was really encouraged that we could still, in all this troublesome time give yet another person hope for the future of South Africa (which is our goal as young people of the Mission, Domino Servite and South Africa).
Now, since they did not ask me to tell them about the school and the Mission I will speak for myself and of my own experience (Freedom of Speech is wonderful!). Firstly, the school encourages us to be good citizens of South Africa, we are well aware of society around us and we are empowered to become building blocks in Society to make this world a better place to live in (this is hard to do if everything you stand for is being smeared by the Media, they are destroying out futures because you cannot say that I went to DSS and leave out the part that the Mission and the school are one as the school would not exist without the Mission.
Secondly, the school stands for everything that the Mission stands for. We as young people (I and all of my eight other siblings have been born and bred here) have been raised to reflect the Bible as the Word of the Living and Everlasting God our Father. We are taught to live a pure life which means drug-, addiction-, violent-, sexual immorality-, and basically sin-free lives. Girls are taught to dress modestly, not walking around drowning in clothes but not open so that people coming up the street or sitting opposite to you don’t know where to look (sorry for my blatancy, but modesty in young girls is what I stand for).
Now, this is where my next point comes in. Many girls (in particular) leave the Mission bitter because they can’t have relationships (sexual immorality which leads to innumerable social atrocities), or they cannot wear pants (the Bible states clearly that a woman shall not wear men’s clothing and society, whether you like it or not, associate pants with men and skirts with women). And they cannot dress or do as they want because they will bear the consequences in their own lives and the elders try to spare them that pain by giving them living guide-lines which they can accept or reject. I cannot speak for the men because I have never been part of a men’s bitter-tea party; while I can speak for girls because I had previously been in contact with some such girls who have since left, I am glad to say I have since then changed my out-look on life drastically. This does not, by any means, mean I am an angel, I am young and still have a lot to learn. It is just interesting to note that when we as young girls and women of KwaSizabantu Mission go to town, we are sometimes praised by by-passers or staff at shops for our dress and respectful behaviour, then note, they occasionally ask us if we come from KSB Mission – interesting-.
When the Lockdown started my family and I did not know how much God had in store for us. How when we really felt like having something tasty from the Coffee Shoppe or we could only dream of having a braai He would provide for us in some way. We have had some of the most wonderful birthdays ever, I think my mom got more gifts this year on Mother’s Day and her birthday than ever before. I can look back and see how God has led us through this time of Covid-19 and truly say God is good. He has seen to our needs emotionally, spiritually and physically. We even moved into a new house on the Mission, its beautiful!
I know Jesus is by my side like the most faithful of friends just waiting for me to call on Him and say “Jesus, help me, I need you!”
I could go on for forever zooming in on my past and how the Mission and DSS has been influential in my life in soooo many ways. Forgive any mistakes you can pick-up, I do struggle to write transactional writing pieces at school, but I see this more as my spoken word on paper so it won’t be English lesson perfect.
I LOVE THE MISSION!
Thank You