In-depth day 18: Final day in Yeoville – take two

SAY CHEESE: A giggle and a laugh as Phillip tells a joke during our picture perfect moment. Photo: Ingrid Woolf

Well the day has come.

All “good” things must come to an end?

Our time was very limited because the KMM social worker had prior commitments and needed to get ready for Shabbat – the Big Shabbat that happens once a year.

Despite the time constraints she was amazing – willing to do having twice or three times over if need be.

I met with my three interviewees: Pessi, Pauline and Phillip who happily received me again.

I must say Phillip is the sweetest man – he is such a character and has the best sense of humour! I think I’m ready to adopt him as my grandfather! 😉

It was a bit stressful… and nerve wracking trying to make sure the camera was positioned correctly and trying to check that all my was in focus… I may have gotten flustered and even went blank a couple of times during the interviews but I managed to get through it.

It was special to spend time with my interviewees again and lovely to hear more about their lives. I love taking a peek into their fascinating life stories. They have so much to give and so much to tell…

Well after a super busy morning, everything worked out and guess what?

It was all in focus – Hooray!

As I sign off from my last in-depth blog there are a few people I would like to thank: Firstly, to Leon, Ingrid and Glenda who made the fiming possible – thank you for the patience, kindness and love shown throughout!

FAREWELL: A quick pic with the lovely Pessi before we headed on our way. A memory that will be forever cherished. Photo: Ingrid Woolf

To my wonderful interviewees Pessi, Phillip and Pauline – you are so special and touched me in ways I cannot begin to express

To the wonderful Nigerian Jewish community in Yeoville – thank for being so welcoming and open and for teaching me what it really means to have faith – especially Rabbi Obiekwe and Charity.

To Nechama B, for being an amazing mentor. Thank you for all the guidance, encouragement and help all the way through!

To Michael T – thanks for supplying the sound kit! Without your help I would have had ZERO sound and only half a project.

To you, all my wonderful readers. Thank you for joining me on this journey . Thank you for reading and sharing in this exhausting and most of all brilliant experience!

And last but not least to the Man Upstairs – Hashem. Thank You for helping me to get everything together and for the strength to get through it all!

With love,

Ilanit

 

Day 16: There and back again

Despite my disheartening day yesterday, today was a little more on the up side.

I went back to Yeoville with Luke, his group and Kudzai to get a few more shots of my Nigerian Jews.

Our first stop was at the hill so that Luke could get some cutaways and B-role for his video.

COLOURFUL PRAYER: A group of Christian worshipers praying on the hill top in Yeoville. Photo: Ilanit Chernick

 

Afterwards we headed off to my Nigerian Rabbi. He and his community never fail to inspire me.

While the girls waited in the car, Luke and I headed in to see the Rabbi and take some pictures. One of the congregants told us that “Rabbi is eating lunch and we don’t disturb him during lunch.”

We waited for him in the Synagogue as one of the congregants came in and did the daily afternoon prayer. I watched him take his shoes off, get on his knees and say a number of different verses. It was beautiful.

The Rabbi came in and greeted us with a warm “Shalom Aleichem!” (Meaning Welcome, peace be upon you.)

I explained what I needed and off we went to do my photo shoot. We started chatting afterwards and he asked me if I’d like to chat with his majesty, Igwe Royal Highness) Eze Eri, the leader and Chief Rabbi/Spiritual Leader of the Igbo Jews. He is the direct descendant of Gad, son of the patriarch Jacob.

“Now?” I said.

“Yes I will call him now. He would love to speak to you! I will phone him in Nigeria now!”

I was mildly shocked and in awe that this was about to take place. The thought of speaking to someone who knows he is directly related to a biblical figure was overwhelming.

“Shalom Aleichem Igwe Eze Eri, Ze Rabbi Natan m’Drom Afrika,” said Rabbi Obiekwe. Natan is Rabbi Sylvester’s Hebrew name. (The above translates as “Peace be upon you your highness Eze Eri, this is Rabbi Natan from South Africa” – in Hebrew I might add) They proceeded to speak in Igbo (a Nigerian language spoken in Southern and Eastern Nigeria) and Rabbi Sylvester handed me the phone.

We spoke for about 10 minutes about my project and I told him how wonderful his community is in South Africa and I hope to come visit the community in Nigeria. He told me about a few holidays and celebrations the Igbo Jews would be having in Nigeria soon and explained his lineage and role as leader.

IT’S ART: As we left Yeoville I came across this amazing piece of graffiti on a wall. Photo: Ilanit Chernick

He gave me an incredible blessing at the end of the conversation which included “doing well with my project”, “being successful with everything”, that I should “flourish as a Jewess and follow the ways of G-d [Hashem]” and that I should “have a long, happy and peaceful life.”

I handed the phone back to Rabbi Obiekwe and Rabbi Obiekwe said that Igwe Eri and his community would be happy to sponsor a trip for me, a friend and Rabbi Obiekwe to meet and see the Jewish community of Nigeria. I should just “let him know if I want to come”.

It sounds like a pretty awesome plan!

We thanked the Rabbi, said our goodbyes and headed back to the car – I must admit, I was in a bit of a daze.

We then helped Roxi, Thabi and Palesa film at their barbers on Rocky and headed back to the car. On the way, I once again got hit on by another old “Sugar Daddy”. His comment was something I’m not going to share on this forum…

COOLING DOWN: A chilled end to busy but fun day. Photo: Wits Student

We got back to Wits, Luke and I giggling and having fun the entire trip back and the two of us wanted ice-cream.

So we went on an “adventure” to the Matrix to find some good old-fashioned ice-cream. Yum!

The perfect ending to a productive (and albeit amazing) day!

Activist and inspiration: Yusuf Talia dies due to illness

 *Featured in Wits Vuvuzela: Activist and inspiration: Yusuf Talia dies due to illness

GREATNESS: Witsie Yusuf Talia has left a proud legacy in his 25 years of life. Photo: Facebook

An activist. A leader. An inspiration. Those are some of the words used to describe Witsie Yusuf Talia who passed away today at the age of 25.The wheelchair-bound Talia, who battled with muscular dystrophy, was a familiar face around campus where he actively involved in politics and societies. He was part of the Disabled Students Movement and the president of the Muslim Students Association (MSA).  He was also an energetic activist for Palestine.

Talia was elected to the Student Representative Council (SRC) under the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) banner and served as deputy president on the council in 2010.

“Today is a sad day for everybody who knew the gentle soul that was Yusuf but also for Wits in general,” said outgoing SRC president Shafee Verachia.

Verachia said Talia had dedicated his life to service and was a role model for others.

“He was the perfect example of what it means to serve humanity,” Verachia said.

The 2013 SRC president, Sibulele Mgudlwa, said Talia was someone who always had time to help his fellow students.

“One thing which sticks out about Yusuf is the ability he had to avail himself whenever he could to assist students and give of his time, despite his physical condition and pressing academic commitments,” Mgudlwa said.

“He was sociable and approachable while at the same time dignified and respectable,” said Mgudlwa, “We will miss him.”

Talia was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at an early age though very few people knew about his life-threatening disease because of his work ethic.

Talia was named as one of the top 200 young South Africans by the Mail & Guardian in 2013 for his contribution the higher education system and his work to improve conditions for disabled students.

“He was sociable and approachable while at the same time dignified and respectable,”

In an interview with Wits Vuvuzela at the time, Talia said of the recognition, with his trademark humility, “I feel so honoured. It was so unexpected.

He told Wits Vuvuzela that the youth should work towards improving society: “The youth need to adopt an attitude of helping those in need in their societies. We can do anything we put our minds to.”

Talia was studying towards an honours degree in Physiology and hoped to be a doctor one day. He had already earned a BSc and a degree in Actuarial Science.

On behalf of the outgoing SRC, Verachia wished “the Almighty to grant strength to his parents, brother Waseem and to all those touched by this amazing human being”.

 

An angel in our time – Maya Angelou

Photo: achievement.org

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

Maya Angelou 1928-2014