Thandolwethu Moyo
By: Thandolwethu Moyo
As a boy, I grew up in the slums of darkness, drenched by the filth, striving to be a somebody out of a nobody .It was a rural setup .I did tell my grandfather that I wanted to be a lawyer, but he discouraged me saying that I can’t even speak one English sentence properly, yet I want to become a lawyer .I gave in to this. I changed my dream out of confusion and denial, told him I wanted to become an engineer, and the struggle continued.
He told me I knew nothing other than being an incompetent cowboy who has never seen the light of a proper bulb. I gave in to this one too, and continued to be the dreamless boy with no life ,no vision .Grandmother told sister that her dream of becoming a gynecologist was not possible since she couldn’t take Care of her periods well .Imagine ,the dreams of an African child shattered!
What happens to dreams opposed? Dreams deferred .What happens to dreams hammered and suppressed. My dreams have been made an abomination to the society .My dreams have been deemed a violation and infringement of the community standards and expectations .Till when will this conflict between individual desires and societal expectations come to an end ,because many African children have fallen victim to it .Till when will our dreams keep on being rejected.
It’s time we take a stand as whole united African children and speak for ourselves, fight for our rights and change this toxic narrative for the betterment of the future because the world is advancing technologically and it will not wait for anyone.
Rise up! African children, Jonah Nyoni says “Pursue your passion till people begin to pay you for your passion”. I say “Pursue your dreams till people begin to pay you and follow you because of your dream”. It’s your dream, not theirs, it’s your dream not the neighbors, it’s your dream, not the aunt’. Never ever allow anyone to pollute your dream with unjustifiable reasons .Dream big! Work towards that dream.
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