Voices in the Wilderness

By Noxolo Fipaza - Bongela

The message of this book is conveyed primarily through the narrative of the life of a woman named Fezeka. Her experiences show that a single occurrence can have a ripple effect on an individual’s entire life and those surrounding them. Furthermore, it depicts a wide range of social ills that impact women in particular in our modern-day society. Some of these are drawn from the author’s own experi­ences, which are interwoven in the narrative.

This book is thought provoking and brings about a moment of reflection on societal values and how they have shaped the people we are today. It purports to be a voice for those who are without a voice, those whose voice is suppressed but would like to be heard. It represents the ordinary women of South Africa who despite their challenging circumstances, still yearn and aspire to see a change in their lives. The book is an outcry and an appeal to society to reach out and play its critical role of providing support to its women citizenry. It is aimed at freeing the minds of women who have over time been imprisoned by focussing on their own inadequacies, constraints and barriers not to explore their full potential. This work is an inspiration to women of all ages not to give up on their dreams. It depicts the dynamism and resilience embedded in women and further shows how women can embrace each other, build strong bonds together, protect and support each other and triumph over their challenges.

Noxolo Fipaza - Bongela is a woman of many colours. She is a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, an educationist, a mentor, a strategist and above all a servant. She holds a Master’s Degree in Maritime Studies, is an accomplished educator with a long teaching tenure at both secondary and tertiary level. She is currently a Business Strategy Manager at TNPA: Port of Cape Town.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Noxolo Fipaza - Bongela
• Release date: Jan 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005515218

Book preview

Voices in the Wilderness

Voices in the Wilderness

Noxolo Fipaza-Bongela

Copyright © 2021 Noxolo Fipaza-Bongela

First edition 2021

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by Noxolo Fipaza-Bongela using Reach Publishers’ services,

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Edited by Caroline Webb for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Website: www.reachpublishers.org

E-mail: [e-mail]

Noxolo Fipaza-Bongela

[e-mail]

Acknowledgements

I give praise to the loving and faithful God for His unending mercies. His mercies are new every day.

To my wonderful family, my husband Sango Bongela and our children Siphosethu, Mnweba and Siwabuyiselwe, who are my source of inspiration, support and strength. Thank you, my cheerleaders, I would not have accomplished this achievement without your continuous support and belief in me.

Gratitude also goes to all the people who have contributed to shaping my world. A special mention to my parents, my late father Buyisile Fipaza, my mother Hilda Nocawe Nomakhaya Fipaza, and my siblings, Ndipiwe and Zuko and my late brother Monwabisi.

Preamble

This book touches on diverse social issues which can have a tremendous impact on one’s life. Our world view and perspective on the events around us are shaped by a myriad forces. The book moves from a premise of understanding that human beings are social constructs, and acknowledging that social circumstances have a major role in human development. The foundation of whatever we become in life lies in the surrounding circumstances of our life. Also to be noted is that for a person who has grown up in South Africa, politics is inextricably linked to one’s development. The book also shows the distinct nature of the African culture and how it has moulded the people that we are.

Through telling the story of Fezeka’s life, the author exposes the extent to which the above-mentioned issues might influence our journey in life. Fezeka’s life shows that a single occurrence can have a ripple effect on an individual’s entire life and those surrounding them. Furthermore, it depicts a wide range of social ills that impact women in particular in our modern-day society. Some of these are drawn from the author’s own experiences, which are interwoven in the narrative.

Fezeka’s story exposes the abuse of women by men having its roots in our culture. It also brings to attention that aspect of abuse which is inflicted by women on other women, and which is often overlooked despite its detrimental effects. It shows the undue pressure and harsh judgement that women are often subjected to in order to conform to societal standards. The author also tries to get into the mind of the ordinary person on the street to raise the awareness that they, too, have dreams and aspirations, and to dispel the myth that they have given up on life and are a lost cause.

The book also expresses the dynamic nature of women, and their innate ability to empathise with and support each other. It explores how women’s bonds can be strengthened to uplift other women in difficult situations. It shows the resilient spirit of women who, despite their daily challenges, are still determined to thrive and succeed. The author’s emphasis is on our endowment with greatness – it is upon us to discover such greatness within us. It seeks to bring an awakening in young women in particular who have over time formed the idea of having to lean on men to be successful. It tells them that success lies in one’s own potential and encourages them to break the cycle of dependence on men for their survival.

Freeing women’s minds is central to this book. It is aimed at bringing awareness that a woman is worth more than just her looks, and to undo the perception of women’s worth as merely sexual objects because they are perpetually portrayed as such. This story is a gift from me to you, the next generation of women.

Introduction

"I cried, no one heard.

I cried, no one listened.

I cried, no one stopped.

I cried, no one bothered!"

This is the reality of the life of a little girl growing up in dire circumstances in South Africa. This is the reality of a girl living next door. She is in our communities; she is in our neighbourhoods. Every day is a struggle for her, but she is still determined to live.

How does one overcome so much pain? How does one continue to want to live despite such nerve-wracking circumstances?

Only God knows what strength these special people possess. The world is moving so fast that it is easy not to notice a wounded little girl in our midst. People are so obsessed with their selfish needs that they even forget to pause and look around them.

I heard her groan – the pain of hunger.

I heard her groan – the pain of humiliation.

I heard her groan – the misery of loneliness.

Yes, she was left to deal with her pain alone. They have called her names, yet they do not understand her. They do not understand the inner struggle she is hiding from the world. Life has become so meaningless to her that she has resorted to just existing for now. Does she harbour any secret dreams? Does she have any ambitions?

Every day she smiles, hiding the pain buried deep in her heart. She tries to look normal in a very abnormal world, yet her body betrays her. It tells a story of starvation and malnutrition. Her rebellious actions reflect the conflict within her. No matter how hard she tries to hide her pain, it remains exposed like a dirty undergarment protruding from underneath a beautiful dress.

In her subdued voice, faint and lacking confidence, she had tried to tell her story to the world. They dismissed her without hearing the gist of it, silencing that glimmer of hope which keeps telling her that her situation will change, that it will be different tomorrow. She has become so acquainted with solitude, pain is her only companion and poverty has become her way of life. She has been subjected to every form of abuse – and yet she still lives. She remains resilient amid the challenges that have engulfed her life.

Her determination cannot be silenced. Her fighting spirit cannot be silenced. She is able to lick her own wounds. Her situation has hardened her and made her stronger against the adversities of life. Many have written her off; she is a distant thought to others. She is a shadow of her former perfect self.

Dear wounded little girl,

one day you will rise,

one day you will reign,

one day you will be free,

and you will overcome.

As Maya Angelou once wrote, A caged bird sings of freedom.

The Untold Stories

I find myself navigating the streets of Khayelitsha in Cape Town. It is a city of harsh contrasts: the beauty of the sea and mountain alongside the dusty, dirty streets of the surrounding townships; the friendliness of the people side by side with the danger and crime that overshadows the city. Chief among these contrasts is the conspicuous class differences – there is a clear division between the haves and the have-nots. Khayelitsha is a place where you can feel, sense and taste poverty at first glance.

It is a cold Saturday morning in winter; the air is crisp and cold. The township is bustling with people of all different shapes and sizes. They are going about their busy schedules, hustling in ukurheleza is an integral part of their survival. Ukurheleza is the local lingo; it is understood by everyone, from the old folks to the youngsters. This is a place with its own culture and vibe. Its people are passionate and proud of it, and they refer to