Wednesday 25 December 2019

Gogo Nkala Newsletter No. 22 of 2019


Gogo Nkala Newsletter No. 22



Ekuhle Mthwakaz’ omuhle!
Lamhla ngithi, KHISIMUSI ENHLEKAZI kini lonke! Asihlanganyeleni lezingelosi zasezulwini sithi, “Udumo kalube kuNkulunkulu kweliphezulu, lokuthula emhlabeni ebantwini abathokozelwa nguye” uLukha 2:14. Yebo, ungu-Imanuweli, iNkosi ilathi, uMesiya.
Umoya wami uthi, “Ngci, ngci bo!” Wena-ke?

GIYA MTHWAKAZI
Nansi-ke imbongi yethu yalamuhla ephakamisa iNkosi yamakhosi eyazalwa ngowesifazana kodwa inguNkulunkulu.
(Icon of poet)
INKOSI YAMAKHOSI
Uzalelwe esibayeni sezifuyo
Iphunga lobulongwe lemithambiso
Kubambe nki, nki, nki!
Ikwaya yakuqala kwaba yikubhonsa,
Labo m-e-e-e! M-e-e-e!
Waculelwa ngabelusi bemlageni,
Thutshu izingelosi zezulwini zinqolonga,
“Udumo kuNkulunkulu kweliphezulu,
Lokuthula emhlabeni ebantwini …”
Ngoba eyiNkosi yamakhosi!

Wazingelwa yinkosi yakuleyondawo
Ifuna ukumsusela amanqe
Yayisazi ukuthi Lo, uyiNkosi yamakhosi.
Wabalekiswa ngabazali bacatsha eGipithe
Waphepha, wakhula ngenhlakanipho
Ngoba eyiNkosi yamakhosi!

Eletshumi lambili leminyaka ethempelini
Waphikisana waphicana labaFundisi
Egcwele inhlakanipho, lolwazi lokuzwisisa.
Eselamatshumi amathathu eminyaka
Wavangela ngothando esithi, “Phendukani!”
Balalela, abanengi bengazwisisi.
Wafundisa, walaya, wakhuza,
Wasilisa, wavusa abafileyo,
Wakhalimela emibi imimoya
Yaphuma ebantwini iklabalala
Ngoba eyiNkosi yamakhosi!

Wabathanda abantu bengakamthandi
Waba yisoni engesisoni, emsulwa
Uwonkewonke wamphika, kwakhethwa umbulali
Weyiswa, waklolodelwa, wakhafulelwa, watshaywa!
Izipikili kho, kho, kho ezandleni lezinyaweni;
Walengiswa emnqamlezweni lezikliwi
Yena engesisixhwali, njalo engelasici;
Kwazamazam’ umhlaba
Aqhekezeka amadwala,
Ilanga fiphaliyani!
Iveli yethempeli qheke phakathi!
Ngoba eyiNkosi yamakhosi!

Wangcwatshwa, kodwa ngelesithathu
Abalindi behlome bephelele engcwabeni
Kwatholakala ebhalwini nkwe!
Isivukile iNgonyama yoMndeni wakoJuda,
Yankunyayila njalo ingagqize qhakala
Yayisiwufezile umsebenzi wayo,
Yalaya yacokisa njalo
Bayibukela abafundi isenyukela ezulwini
Izakuza njalo isizothatha abayo.
Uzahamba layo wena na?
NguJesu,
UyiNkosi yamakhosi!

Sibuko Mthunzi


***

Esikujongileyo lamhlanje, yindaba yeKhisimusi.
Yindaba enhle, eligugu lamagugu kuwe omaziyo njalo omazisayo.
Asihlabele udumo kuye ngoba ufanele ukudunyiswa.
Haleluya!
Asihlanganeni kuviki elizayo sibonge sidumise sesimchaphile u2019.
Ngiyalithanda, njalo ngiyabonga!

Gogo Nkala

Thursday 19 December 2019

Gogo Nkala Newsletter No. 21


  Nokubonga Mpofu


Ekuhle Mthwakaz’ omuhle!

Mina ngimangele! Asazi wena. Sifike njani kulesisibanga? Sisungula umnyaka lo kuZibandlela kwakumnyamana ukuthi sizaluhamba njani loluhambo. Kodwa nanko, sesiwuthi phutshiyani umnyaka. OPhezukonke ulomusa. Uthembekile. Ngumgcini omkhulu. Usinakekele. Uhambe lathi ebunzimeni bendlela. Siyabonga!

Sicela enye yezimbongi kuviki elizayo ike iphungugiya Ngaye bo. Imhaye! Yethule zonke izibongo zakhe, ithokoze langokuzalwa kwakhe. Haleluya!


GIYA MBONGI KAMTHWAKAZI




Lamhla silayo imbongi esake sadibana layo ekupheleni kuka-Agasti lonyaka, uNokubonga Mpofu. Yena-ke uqome ukukhuluma ngayo imbongi. Akesizwe lokho asichathekela khona ngobunguye bembongi. Ikanti, wena uthini? Uvumelana laye loba hatshi?
 

Nokubonga Mpofu

IMBONGI

Abahayi bamabal’ abalobungcitshi
Ababumbi benkomo yomdaka
Abalondolozi bolimi
Babonga amakhos’ angaziwa
Amanye akhothama
Bababonge babateme
Njalo bancome

Imbong’ ihay’ engekho oyivumelayo
Amazwi ayo ajul’ enzikini yenhliziyo
Kanti yon’ ibongwa ngubani

Iyawabuth’ amabel’ achithekileyo
Ngobungcitshi bolimi
Imbong’ ivungula kuvele inguquko
Impucuko ivele isikhulumile
Phela yona ingumaguqula ngamazwi zwi

Nans’ isenz’ esitshwaqisayo
Lesisenzo sesithunuke sagubh’ ugqozi
Luvuke lwamis’ umhlonga
Lavuk’ idlozi lokubangula ameva
Lakhuluma lalaya kwazwakala

Imbong’ ilondoloza ulimi lwethu
Lenhloli zakithi zaphunguka
Ngobungcitshi bolimi sesivuselelwe
Bath’ esihle asidleli
Imbong’ ithi siyadlela
Isihambile sisala silokhu siphakela

Imbong’ isungul’ ikhankase ngolimi
Ulimi lwayo lunambitheka lugobhozise
Uginy’ amath’ uphinde
Imbong’ ingakhuluma
Indaba yay’ iba segudwini

Ibiya ngothango lwengqondo
Njengendlu eguduliweyo
Oyizway’ aphothule khona
Amazw’ ayo aludondolo
Amazw’ ayo mahle
Ayakhelana, abekwe kuhle
Sengathi ludwendwe lwezinyoni

Imbong’ iyaqumbaqumba
Iqumbaqumb’ imicabango yomuntu
Incwebuzel’ imizwa yabantu
Yebo phela
Iyahaya
Iyacula
Iyatema
Iyabonga
Iyayaxwayisa

Ifana lendosakusa
Ememezel’ ukusa
Ilidlabuzane eligidisayo
Leculo lenjabulo
Injengamayez’ aletha izulu
Ilizwe lomel’ ukutemeleza kwayo
Ngolim’ olugelezayo lunonisiwe
Yephuca ngobugabazi
Phakama mbongi kaMthwakazi!

Nokubonga Mpofu


NDEBELE NOVEL WRITING CONTEST


Lamhla ngibone kungcono ukuthi kesitshaye umphehlu mayelana lomncintiswano lo esiphezu kwawo. Ngithemba inengi selizama ukugoqa lokulolonga umsebenzi ukuze ubemuhle kakhulu. Labo abazabala bahlulele labo sebekhangelele ukuqala lowo msebenzi. Sikhangelele amanoveli amahle kakhulu azabalwa akholiswe ngamahlabezulu, njalo azaluphakamisa ulimi lukaMthwakazi.
    Nanzi njalo iziqondiso okumele uzinanzelele usaloba njalo ulolonga umsebenzi wakho. Ungehluleka ukuzilandela umsebenzi wakho awusoze ukhangelwe.



UMNCINTISWANO WOKULOBA INOVELI NGESINDEBELE

Mthwakazi omuhle, nanti ithuba lokuthi ulobe unonise isiphala solimi lwakho! Gagadlela lelithuba ubalelwe kulabo abaphehla ilifa lalamuhla lelakusasa.

  • Loba inoveli ngesiNdebele esicacileyo
  • Inoveli yakho kumele ibe lamabala ayi 30,000 loba edlulayo.
  •  Zikhethele injongo ephathelene lalokhu okwenzakalayo empilweni. 
  • Inoveli yakho ayibe ngumsebenzi ongakaze ukhutshwe ogwalweni oludindisiweyo ngaphambili. 
  • Kumele inoveli yakho ibe ngumsebenzi othayitshiweyo, ulethwe ulugwalo oluqoqekileyo, amakhasi ecindezelwe ahlanganiswa kuhle. Gcina ikopi yogwalo lwakho loba usuthumele eyomncintiswano kuMhleli. 
  • Kumele ikhasi linye ngalinye libe lenombolo, kusukela kusahluko sokuqala. 
  • Kumele ikhasi lokuqala libe leBizo lakho, iKheli lakho, uCingo lwakho, lekheli le- Email nxa ulalo.
  • Ilanga lokucina lokungenisa inoveli yakho nguLweSibili, mhlaka 31 Janawari, 2020. 
  • Abaphumelelayo bazakwaziswa mhlaka30 kuMabasa 2020. Kuzakuba loMvuzo wokuqala owe US $250; owesibili oweUS$150; lowesithathu owe US$50 kungwalo ezizakhethwa. 
  • Ologwalo oluphumelela ukudindwa uzakwaziswa kube lesivumelwano le Radiant ngalokho.

Nxa ususuthisekile ngogwalo lwakho, luthumele loba ululethe kula amakheli:

  • KoBulawayo – KuMhleli, UMncintiswano Wokuloba INoveli, Radiant Publishing, C/o Telco, 114 George Silundika, Between 11 & 12 Avenue, BULAWAYO.
  • EHarare – KuMhleli, UMncintiswano Wokuloba INoveli, Radiant Publishing, C/o 21 Armadale Road, Vainona, HARARE.
  • Bana leqiniso ukuthi ugwalo lwakho lufikile kuMhleli ngokumthinta kunombolo ethi: +263 772231304. Yiyo njalo eye – WhatApp.

UMUSA WANSUKU ZONKE


Ungubani LoJesu?

Sesifikile njalo leso sikhathi. Ngelinye lamakhefu amakhulu emnyakeni. Likhefu lomkhosi omkhulu wokukhumbula ukuzalwa kweNkosi yabalandeli bakaKhristu, Ngumkhosi wokuthakazelela ukuthi ukhona owazalelwa ukusihlenga kuziphambeko zethu. Ukhona owazalelwa ukuthi umhlaba owawugxile ebumnyameni usuke ebumnyameni ungene ekukhanyeni lokho ayikho khona Yena. Akekho onjengaye, okwavele kwafakazwa ngaye wabizwa ngamabizo ayinqaba.

Umphrofethi u-Isaya wathi, “Ngoba sizalelwe umntwana, siphiwe iNdodana, umbuso uzakuba phezu kwamahlombe akhe. Uzabizwa ngokuthi uMeluleki Omangalisayo, uNkulunkulu uSomandla, uBaba Waphakade, iNkosana yokuThula. Ukwanda kombuso wakhe lokuthula akuyikuba lomkhawulo. Uzabusa esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaDavida laphezu kombuso wakhe, ewumisa njalo ewuqinisa ngokufaneleyo langokulunga kusukela ngalesisikhathi kusiya phambili, kuze kube nininini” u-Isaya 9:6-7.
      Ngamabizo amangalisayo, ayinqaba, uJesu abizwa ngawo.
  • Ukuthi unguMeluleki Omangalisayo, kukhomba ukuthi ungummangaliso. Akekho omunye onjengaye okwazi ukwaluleka ngendlela eqondileyo. Nguye yedwa kuphela uJesu lo. 
  • Ukuthi unguNkulunkulu uSomandla, kukhomba bona kanye ubuNkulunkulu bakhe. Unguye uMdali olamandla onke. Akukho ukuthandabuza ngalokho. UJesu lo unguNkulunkulu. 
  • Ukuthi unguBaba Waphakade, kukhomba ukuba kavezwa ngokuhlelwa kwesikhathi. Wayekhona nininini, ukhona lamhlanje, njalo uzakubakhona kuze kube nininini. UJesu lo ngowanininini. 
  • Ukuthi uyiNkosana yokuThula kukhomba ukuthi uyiNkosi ebusayo njalo umbuso wakhe ngowokulunga lokuthula. Abukho ubudlwangudlwangu lakho konke okungaqedakaliyo kowakhe umbuso. UnguJesu, iNkosi yokuthula.
Lakanye, njengokutsho kwesiphrofetho, iNkosi uJesu watshiya ubukhosi bakhe ezulwini wazehlisa, wazalelwa esitebeleni sezinkomo, yena eyiNkosi yamakhosi, ukuze esekhulile ayesifela sonke esiphambanweni asihlenge emacaleni ethu. Kunzima ukwahlukanisa isikhathi seKhisimusi lesikhathi sePhasika. UJesu wazalelwa emzini waseBethlehema oweyisekayo, kodwa elesizatho sokuletha insindiso.
Uyamazi na loJesu? Ungubani uJesu lo empilweni yakho? Nxa ungakamazi njengeNkosi loMsindisi, thatha ithuba usukholiwe ngaye, umvume ngomlomo ukuba uyiNkosi ethethelelayo. Ake uthi uthakazelela iKhismusi le ube uyamazi njengeNkosi loMsindisi.
Yebo, uJesu nguye zwi iNkosi yokuthula, uMeluleki Omangalisayo, uBaba Waphakade, UNkulunkulu uSomandla. Khonza Yena zwi!

Barbara Nkala 


STORIES OF FAITH



Revelation 12:11 says: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; …”. When we tell testimonies of the Lord God’s power and saving grace on our lives, the devil slinks away tail between legs. So, let us share our amazing stories of God’s love in action and shame the evil one.
We look forward to reading your own story of faith in the coming weeks. Your well-written story should be between 600 – 1000 words. Send your story to: barbarankala@gmail.com. Selected stories will be compiled into an anthology of stories of faith.

Look out for the next story in the series next week!


 ***


Siwugoqa wonalo unyaka, kambe kuyini okufundileyo kusona lesi sigcawu? Lathi singathokoza ukuzwa lokho okufundileyo, langabe okukubusisileyo. Ikanti nxa kukhona okukukhubileyo, okungakuhambanga kuhle, kuyimfanelo ukuthi ukutsho ukuze sikunanzelele ngezikhathi ezizayo.



Esikufisayo lesikujongileyo, yikuphakamisa ulimi lwethu lukaMthwakazi. Asilolane Mthwakaz’ omuhle.

 Bala, ucabange, ulobe lawe. UMthwakazi ligugu lethu.

 Ungakhohlwa, esalela muva ithiwa xhaka yizinja! 

Asihlanganeni njalo kuviki elizayo.

Ngiyalithanda, njalo ngiyabonga!



Gogo Nkala








Friday 13 December 2019

Gogo Nkala, Newsletter No 20



Ntombi Moyo



Ngiyabingelela Mthwakaz’ omuhle! Siyabonga ngempilo, nanku sesisemaphethelweni omnyaka singananzelele.
Indaba esegudwini lizulu elinayo. Siyawabonga amazolo kakhulu, loba nje kwezinye izindawo bekudaleka umonakalo. Yimpilo. Siphila ngethemba lekusasa engcono.
Sisakhangelele imicimbi yokuthakazelela iKhisimisi, siyawulangatha umusa wokugcinakala kwabethu besangena izindlela kuyaluzelwa kuyiwa hlangana lezihlobo, ukukholisa ndawonye lokuphumula. Sikhulekela ukuvikelwa ezindleleni.



GIYA MBONGI KAMTHWAKAZI




Ziyagiya imbongi zikaMthwakazi. Ziza lazo izinkondlo ezilemibuzo efuna impendulo. Ziyakhuza, ziyaxwayisa, ziyacebisa, ziyafundisa, ziyakhuthaza. Lamhlanje okaMlilo uxwayisa ngohlupho olukhulu oseluhlasele abatsha. Ludubo olumangalisayo lwezidakamizwa olubangela lezinye iziphambeko. Wena uthini ngalokhu okubaliswa ngokaMlilo?



Martin Mlilo

XWAYA IZIDAKAMIZWA

Kuvunguz' umoy' ophethe' ihlwili legazi
Yinsumansumane le,
Intsh' uyibhek' igazi litshaqe kusuphuke inwel'
Abazizweli bona, hatshi
Imizw' ibulewe yizidakwamizwa.

Nki! Umsind' engiwuzwayo
Sengani zinyekevu
Yintsh' idakaz’ utshwala
Kusasa bath' imali ayikho
Bona beyiqhunqisa kuzidakwa mizwa
Bengithi lifundile, lihlakaniphile
Bengithi lingongqeqe iziqeqetshi
Amaphaphu ayabola bo!
Linguloliwe yin' istimela samalahle?
Xwayani okudakayo.

Intsh' ayisalawuleki
Isingumbhed’ ovuk’ umbhejazana
Ngibafanisa lamahatsh' abhem' insango
Bacatham' emabholohweni
Nkanke! Ngxi!
Babamb' inkunzi bo,
Kuzingelw’ imali yokutheng' okudakayo
Ikusasa yesizwe ikuphi nxa intsha idakiwe?

Lidlundlwana liyabheda
Alikazoli, kodwa kusempondo zankomo
Selimi esitolo mbhodlel’ esandleni
Liding’ utshwala ekuseni bo,
Pho lizoyiselela nini imndeni yenu?
Awuboni yini osowenu?
Bahamba ngonyanyavu lwemota
Bafundile wen’ ulokh’ uxhaph' utshwala
Lokunuk' awuzizwa, liqaqa baba,
Asaya ngaphi amahloni?

Yebo, ngiyavuma
Umfab’ uzalwa yinhlanyel' ekhethiweyo
Lani kukhanya lifuzile bo
LaboDlodlo bebunatha
Baze bageqe impandla embuyisweni
Kodwa bebefuyile bona phela
Lina alikahlumi lakuhluma
Kodwa imali liyibhulela kokudakayo
Xwayani izidakamizwa bo!

Ungabi yisithutha wena
Ungafani lohlanya, howu!
Lon’ olusina lungaxhumanga umncwado
Luhlekwa lweyiswe lazinyoni
Xwaya abangan' abakukhohlisayo
Isibindi  esibolayo ngesakho
Intuthu oyihotshayo izakuguguda ugugudeke
Ungasini nkundlanye lomthakathi
Xwaya ababhema okudakayo
Xwaya izidakamizwa.

Martin Mlilo



AMASU AMQOKA EMBONGI EZISACATHULA LESEZIZENZELE IGAMA


Lamhla sizawaphinda njalo amazwi kaDr Eventhough Ndlovu esegoqa ngamasu embongi ezisacathula lesezinzelele igama.


Dr Eventhough Ndlovu


Amazwi okucina sikhangelane lamasu okuloba inkondlo


Sesihlangene kule iviki lapho engizagoqa khona ngamasu amqoka okuloba inkondlo. Kumaviki edluleyo sitshuke indaba ezimqoka zalokho okukhangelelweyo lapho imbongi iloba inkondlo yayo. Ngaveza ukuthi inyathelo lakuqala elimqoka ngelokuthi imbongi iziphe isikhathi sokubala izibongo zamakhosi, ithole amasu lamaqhinga okuloba, njalo yenelise ukuthi ithathe unyawo lwembongi zezolo, lokhu inyathi ibuzwa kwabaphambili.
Kumaviki edluleyo sakhangela udaba loba indikimba loba okumunyethwe yinkondlo. Saqinisa ukuthi imbongi kumele ibe lodaba elwethulayo enkondlweni yayo, njalo udaba lolu kumele lwakhelwe endabeni ezisegudwini, ezisemlonyeni kazulu. Abantu kusamele bokhelane ngazo umlilo, bancwebisana ngazo igwayi loba bagavelane ngazo osekelede. Kumele udaba lwenkondlo lukhangele indaba ezitshisayo emphakathini ezenza uzulu afise ukubala inkondlo. Lokhu kuqiniswa yikuthi ekulobeni kwayo, imbongi kumele yazi ukuthi ilomlandu omkhulu okumele iwufeze emphakathini. Ngatsho ukuthi ukubhalela ukuzilibazisa nje akulandawo kuleli.
Imbongi kusamele ifundise ngempilo, icebise, iduduze, ilibazise, ikhuthaze, ikhalimele, ilimukise, ixwayise, ikhuze njalo igoqe njengomuntu olelihlo elibona lapho uzulu angeke abone khona. Indlebe zayo kumele zibe bukhali, zizwe ngcono. Ngalokho-ke, yiyo ezwa kuqala okuzakwenzakala ikuveze kuzulu. Ingumlomo kazulu, ikakhulu lo ongelawo amandla okuzikhulumela lokuzimmela. Ikhangelelwe ukuthi ilwele amalungelo alabo abephucwa amalungelo abo, igobe, ibuye igoqe amakhosi leziphathamandla zonke nje ezingabusi kuhle.
Imbongi kumele ikhumbuze ababusi ukuthi, inkosi yinkosi ngabantu lokuthi ubukhosi ngamazolo. Ilobuciko lobugabazi bokuphatha udaba iphe obala inkondlo enye indlela yokubona ngayo impilo. Imbongi ilomlandu wokufundisa lokulondoloza imbali, ulimi, imikhuba, inkolo, lamasiko omphakathi. Kumele sifunde kuyo indlela yokusebenzisa ulimi lokuthi kugatshazwa njani ngalo. Umsebenzi wembongi kumele ube lomutsho izolo, lamuhla, kusasa lakwelizayo.
Ezinye impawu ezimqoka eziphawula inkondlo njalo ezikhangelwayo nxa zicutshungulwa lulimi lwenkondlo, imizwa lenhloso loba injongo yembongi. Ekulobeni kwayo imbongi kumele idunge imizwa thile kulo obalayo. Lokhu iphumelela ukukwenza nxa inkondlo ilodaba olulomnkantsho lenhloso, futhi ilotshwe ngolimi oluphathisa ukuthi udaba lwenkondlo luqubule imizwa ejongwe yimbongi.
Ekulobeni kwayo imbongi kumele inanzelele ulimi elusebenzisayo. Kumele kube lulimi oluyiphathisayo ukwethula udaba lwayo lokuveza sobala injongo yayo kanti njalo luphathisa ukudunga imizwa eyiyo okumele isale ilalo obala inkondlo. Ulimi kumele lutshengise ubugazi lobungcwethi. Kumele luhlotshiswe, lujiyiswe lokunoniswa ngezifenqo zenkulumo ezifana lehaba, izingathekiso, iziqathaniso, izifaniso, ukubhuqa, ukuhlonipha lokwenzasamuntu. Kumele kube lezenzukuthi lemifanekiso eyenza lo obalayo akubone kuphile lokho okukhulunywa ngakho njalo kwakhe umfanekiso wengqondo yakho konke okulandiswa yimbongi.
Ngizaphetha ngokunxusa ngisithi, umdango usuvuliwe, sekudingeka abazangena emdangweni bagiye befuqwa lusinga logqozi lomoya wembongi zezolo. Bagiye, bahaye, babhonge besebenzisa indima yabo ngobungcwethi langobuciko. Qunga isibindi lawe ungene emdangweni. Ungesabeli khatshana. Indoda ifa izamile. Zenzele igama ngokuba ngomunye wezimbongi esingeyikufa sazilibala. Umkhulu umsebenzi ophambi kwethu. Nanso ingqobe yokuthi asisukumeni silobe hlabezulu.

Umlobi nguDr Eventhough Ndlovu ongumbalisi lomkhulu weDepartment of African Languages and Literature e-University yeZimbabwe.



UMUSA WANSUKU ZONKE




Ukulinda

Ake sikhangele lamhla indaba yokulinda. Sonke siyabazi ubuhlungu bokulinda. Langabe umncane, ungumuntu omutsha, ungumzali, ungugogo loba ukhulu, sonke sihlezi silindile.
Ukholo luyakwazi ukulinda ngethemba. Lwenza ukulinda kungabi buhlungu kakhulu. Khumbula isikhathi nxa ulinde ukuzwa ngomphumela womhloliso, kufanele uqhubeke ngezifundo zakho. Khumbula nxa ulinde ukuthi udokotela uzakuthini esekuhlole ngomkhuhlane owesabeka onjengekhensa. Uzwa njani nxa ulinde ibhasi esiphuzile kumele uyefika lapho oyakhona ngesikhathi esithile? Ukuthwala umthwalo wokungazi ukuthi kuyini okulandelayo, kuyini okuzakwenzakala, kuyini okuzavela akulula.
Ukulinda loba yini kuyaluhlola ukholo esilalo. Silakho ukulinda ngoba sithemba ukuthi lokho esikulindileyo kuzakwenzakala. Asikwazi ukuthi elakusasa lisiphatheleni, kodwa sikholwa lo esimkhonzayo, ukuthi uzasivusa siphilile sibe lelinye ilanga eligcweleyo. Ukholo lusekelwa lithemba kuNkulunkulu. Ingqobe-ke ithi, bambelela kulo oPhezukonke uze usuke kulo umhlaba. Minengi imibhalo esikhuthazayo sisalindile.
Ogwalweni loMphrofethi u-Isaya siyakhuthazwa ukuba, “…abayithembayo iNkosi bazazuza amandla amatsha, bazakuqonga ngamaphiko njengokhozi, bagijime bangadinwa, bahambe bangapheli amandla” (Isaya 40:31). Kusamele silinde ngethemba.
Omunye umhlabeleli uthi, “Thulani, lazi ukuba mina nginguNkulunkulu …” (iHubo 46:10). Sisalindile, kumele singakhathazeki ngoba uNkulunkulu uyazi. Usipha ukuthula.
Sisaphila emhlabeni, asakhile lapha. Singabahambayo thina, silinde ukuya ekhaya ezulwini. UJesu watsho kubafundi wathi, “… lindani, ngoba kalilwazi usuku lesikhathi” (uMathewu 25:13). 
Cela iNkosi ikusize kukho konke otshiseka ngakho usalindile. Yona izakupha ithemba lokuthula okwedlula ukuqedisisa kwethu thina abantu.

Barbara Nkala


STORIES OF FAITH

 

Ntombi Moyo


Goodness and Mercy


She is beautiful, with a cool and engaging smile. She is calm and collected; the picture of serenity. She is one of the Praise and Worshipers who lead us to the presence of God as we worship at church. Hers is a rich baritone voice that enhances the choir. She is Ntombi Moyo; smart and helpful always. Ntombi is so loved by her husband Sifiso, and the three wonderful and vibrant boys; Lonkudumo Shalom, Dumisozayo Solomon and Simdumise Sean. Theirs is the epitome of a loving family who are always striving to do right in their relationships.

From left: Dumisozayo, Lonkudumo and young Simdumise with their dad. 

It was not always like that. Ntombi’s life journey was incredible. It is not easy to connect this lovely woman with little Ntombi who had more questions than answers in her young life. Here is her story in her own words.
“I was a little girl of seven many years ago, amongst a large group of other children my age These were my fellow brothers and sisters who often screamed at each other as they squabbled over toys at Thembiso Children’s Home. If any adult passed by, there was often a sudden silence. We all just stared into nothingness when spoken to.

“Some of my brothers and sisters were brought into the institution because their parents were fighting over custody issues. Others had their parents incarcerated for various crimes such as theft, drug abuse and trafficking. In some instances, the children lived in situations of domestic violence and had to be removed and surrendered to the care of the state by the courts. It always puzzled me that all the other children knew what had brought them to Thembiso. My story was different. I did not know how I came to be there. No relatives came to visit me. That really bothered me. I wished I could ask any one of our mothers (oMama) who my parents were, how I came to Thembiso, when I would also be taken out like other children. But, they were always busy caring for almost 100 children. It painful to see some children housed at the Home and after a few months they were gone; either taken by parents, relatives or adopted. Sometimes I would overhear oMama feling sorry that no one had taken me. Then others would say, ‘Uzacina esenda emncane bakithi (She will end up marrying under-age). It was hard to hear such words spoken about me. I felt rejected, so alone. I did not belong. I was a true outcast.

“Life ground on, on its monotonous routine. I kept hoping and longing for a day I would also go out. I reminisced on having loving parents who would take me from this home or just an opportunity to visit relatives. I recall having ill-fitting clothes and shoes that had seen better days, when we went to Church. The diet was also a tedium of isithwala (mealie porridge) and vegetables; cabbage or  choumolier and beans.

“At Thembiso, we learnt to look out for one another. We developed survival skills. During the times when the portions were little for each child in the dining room, we organised ourselves into groups of six; who would forgo part of the meals to give to the half of the table so they could have more portions on that day. We would alternate on the following day. A system of family unit/sisterhood emerged. When some children fell sick without omama knowing, the sisterhood cared for the unwell member.

“There was petty theft always. When new clothing was allocated by the home, I hated losing my new things. There was no security for our possessions. I recall placing some new items under my pillow for safekeeping only to find them missing later in the day. I was distraught. Birthdays went by and most of the times I did not remember.

“At primary school age, we were taught to make our beds, clean our rooms and be ready when the bell rang to go for prayers, then go eat our precious breakfast, mealie porridge. We walked to Mafakela Primary School in less than 20 minutes. l did not like the way we were treated at school where we were branded as orphans from Thembiso. Ring worms easily identified us.  We were called all sorts of names.

“Life may be hard, but the dreams God plants do not die. I always dreamt of being a social worker since teenage hood as we often saw Social Workers come to the institution. They always appeared elegantly dresses to us, and we held them in great esteem whenever they came to visit, though they never talked to us children.


Ntombi (fifth from left) in the Praise and Worship team

“After almost two decades of living in a children’s home, l became uncomfortable as the home had no one my age. One day I was called and told, ‘You are now 18 years old and you no longer have a bed here. There is a baby who has been abandoned on way to the here.’ Leaving the institution was a difficult transition for me. It was sudden and frightening for a young person who had had no preparation for life skills. The future looked bleak. Now I do thank the Lord for His amazing grace from the day l came into this earth, for He says in Jeremiah 29:11, ‘For I know the plans l have for you, plans to prosper you, to give you a hope and a future and an expected ending.’

“I was kindly taken by the Matron of the Home to her house to live with her family. This brought some relief. After the ‘O’ level results were announced, I was glad that I had passed. The family helped me to apply for a Rehabilitation Technician Course at Marondera. This course was for two years. As a girl child, the basic things that I needed such as sanitary wear, deodorants and lotions were not readily available. Some girls at college did not mind sharing their lotions and other personal grooming products. I thanked God for them. During school vacations I would go to the Matron’s home. At the end of the course, I got a job at King George VI Rehabilitation Centre as a rehabilitation technician, working with disabled children in Bulawayo.

I was ready for the next step in life. I met Sifiso Moyo at Brethren In Christ Church (BICC). He used to fellowship at Mpopoma while I was at Lobengula. We used to meet at youth services and at National Youth Camps. Our relationship blossomed, culminating in wedding bells. At BICC Lobengula, I had become attached to Pastor Glenn and Linda Ncube and their wonderful children who took me in as part of their family. With guidance from Rev Albert Ndlovu “Gegana”, the wedding formalities were done at Pastor Glenn Ncube’s place as they stood on behalf of my parents and the Church. I was a glowing and grateful bride. God had been so good to me. I was even more humbled by the acceptance I got from the Moyo family who received me with loving open arms.

“The weddings was awesome. I was overwhelmed by the people who came to attend. To me, it was like the wedding at Cana, where every good thing was in abundance, notwithstanding the terrible economic situation of 2007 in Zimbabwe. My dear sisters and brothers some from abroad made the day a great success through active participation and contributions.

“In 2009, with the help of Sifiso, my rock and best friend, I enrolled with the University of South Africa, UNISA, and succeeded in making my dream come true. I am now a Social Worker registered in both South Africa and the Zimbabwe Council of Social Workers. I have learnt to be a people-centred person and I am sensitive to those disadvantaged and affected by social ills. I connect them with possible officials, and other resources they need in their situations. I am also in the Compassionate Ministry at Church. I also work with the physically challenged people, and I am a volunteer with Endless Possibilities. There we assist people living with disabilities to be fully functional and integrated into the societies they live in.


Ntombi at table with one of the challenged children during a workshop in Harare

“I feel so blessed and do all that I do for the glory of God. My family adopted a children’s home in Bulawayo where we take time to visit the children. There I share my story with the boys so they can be inspired to do their best and succeed in life. What can I say? My favourite Scripture is alive to me. Since I learnt this Scripture as a child, I continue to say, surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (Psalm 23:6).


 ***


Uyabala na? Omunye umkhokheli wathi nxa ufisa ukufihla ulutho, lufake ogwalweni ngoba thina abensundu sikuzonda ukuvula izingwalo. Luyabe luvikelekile lolo lutho. Yisithuko esikhulu leso.
Hlakanipha, ube ngomunye othola ulwazi ngokubala. Bala ulimi lwakho uluphakamise. Loba lawe ubusise abanye. UMthwakazi ligugu lethu.
 Ungakhohlwa, esalela muva ithiwa xhaka yizinja! 
Asihlanganeni njalo kuviki elizayo.
Ngiyalithanda, njalo ngiyabonga!

Gogo Nkala