FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND

I begin this blog in memory of my loving great grandmother, the beautiful Sikhonzeni Khanye Ndiweni who passed away 4 years ago on the 18th of November 2014 at age 99 and was buried on the 20th November 2014

Dearest great grandmother. Intombi yaseMgadla, UmSotho'muhle, uMwelase owawela ngezihlenge...

She was my security growing up in Zimbabwe's rural Kezi . I knew as long as she was there everything will be alright and that i needed not to worry. On Fridays, she would come to my primary school and ask the headmaster and class teacher to release me so I would accompany her to the clinic and shops (p.s they never said no either because she was so convincing or they were just kind to her because of her age) and my grade six teacher, Mr Mpofu started calling me by her surname "MaKhanye" because of her fondness for me.

Whenever I saw her through classroom windows as she entered the school premises i would joyfully start telling my friends "goodbye, see you on Monday y'all" I knew I was about to have a good time at the shopping center but first we had to have her blood pressure checked and collect her medication from the hospital on the way. At the shops (eztolo as we called it) we'd sit down at one of her favorite spots and she would buy us soft drinks and plain buns or a cooked meal from one of the restaurants.  Afterwards we would then do a mini shopping which ALWAYS included amalusu omthala (tripe) and some other small treats for me like Lobel's cream biscuits and the then popular Ripe and ready drinks. When we were done we would begin the dreaded journey back home which was about 4 km on foot!

I'm sure what I've written above sounds so basic but trust me when I say this, it was was special to me as a kid, it was heaven and we were happy like that. I realize now that its these small things we do with those around us that last forever. I could write a book about all the beautiful and sometimes tough things things she did for all of us. Hers was a life well live, reflected in her faith in God who in turn was faithful to her much of what she desired. Thinking about her walk with God reminds me of how every morning and evening whether in joy or in sorrow she would always raise her voice to God in prayers, I can vividly recall her prayer openings which always went like "Thixo wezizwe zonke" (God of all nations) or Bab'osezulweni lalapha emhlabeni (our father in heaven and here on earth) Her influence is the reason why now over 75% of our family members including me of course, are Seventh day Adventist members

Memories of her are cherished and as I strive here on earth, my wish is that on that great homecoming day when the Heavenly trump sounds and the dead are risen may we meet again in the pleasant and holy company of God the father, Jesus Christ and the Holy spirit and the angels singing songs of those who have conquered death and now will live forever, no more to experience losing our loved ones.