Hope in times of destruction

The past week we have lived through in South Africa will go down in history. It was a time where a few instigators decided to destroy what we as South Africans have been trying so hard to build. A wave of destruction where everyone from small businesses to vital trucks to the big malls – destroyed and looted. Not even the blood banks and oxygen supplies were immune. One can go into sheer numbness and disbelief at what has taken place – or pick ourselves up and make a difference. In this post I want to celebrate the ordinary South Africans who have taken on the challenge to help – and our mom bloggers too.

Some inspiring words from Sula, who blogs at Skimming Stones:

On Wed I saw two things which swung my mood. The first was a video of a man playing bagpipes at the Umhlanga community security check point. The other was this image of taxis protecting a mall, alongside news that various taxi associations had organised and taken upon themselves to stand against the looters. Not only has this led to gratitude and respect now, but generalizations against taxi drivers will be reviewed in future. The shift in mood was almost immediate. I felt a strong sense that what was happening will bring our nation together like nothing ever before. We’ve had superficial bonding moments like hosting the world cup, but this is real. At the coalface of devastation, fear, anger and despair, good won. What could have been a powder keg igniting racial hatred and possibly even civil war became a moment of spiritual power and beauty. This week has made me so grateful to be South African, it has made me want to stay, it has made me laugh and feel National pride.

Here are some of our bloggers cleaning up in Soweto: Sam, Thando (Modern Zulu Mom) and Sharon (Kween B ).

In Sam’s words:

Today, I joined Modern Zulu Mom and Sharon Van Wyk and took action on the ground. Through the RebuildSA- Volunteers Group we helped clean up two centers in Soweto. My privilege has never been more pronounced than it is during this time. The devastation and sadness in my fellow countrymen’s eyes was hard to see. The bullet casings & rubber bullets lying all over the parking lot, the single worn out shoes and blood stained papers will stay with me. I have to believe that there is hope. I have to believe that those of us that gathered today, here in Jozi and in KZN to clean and rebuild are the change we need in our beloved SA.

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Someone who is actively making a difference for moms in need is Shaney from You Baby and I / Mom Says.

When the Pandemic hit last year, as a South African startup who is all about community, we knew we couldn’t sit back and do nothing about it. We asked YOU to help us and together, we helped 100 moms across South Africa. When we launched the Back-a-Mom initiative last year, we had no idea that a year later we would still be raising funds to help moms across South Africa. The looting and unrest have left many moms jobless and in dire need of basic essentials such as diapers. Once again, we are asking you to help us help moms in need. Visit https://backamom.momsays.co.za/ to donate a food voucher or email us at tribe@momsays.co.za to donate a product (Jhb only).We are currently asking for diapers and other essentials, these items will be sent to areas affected in KZN like Chatsworth. We also encourage you to support @thegracefactory and @hopesaorg who are also helping moms in need in KZN and JHB. Let’s @rebuildrsa together.

Puveshree Naidoo is also helping people:

I am reaching out to anyone that is able to donate to help my hometown. This is legit, I am working with Preashnee Sewdayal and Desmond Pillay to help get aid to Umkomaas. If you are in JHB, you can donate/drop off at the address mentioned below over the weekend.

Natasha from Fit Like Mummy has been busy donating blood and she also gives us this list of things we can do.

For this #67minutes for Mandela, here are ways you can give back this year that don’t involve money

1. Donate blood 2. Spend 67 minutes checking up on people who have been affected in Gauteng and KZN. 3. Help with clean-ups (remember to social distance because Covid is still a thing so wear your ) 4. Help cook those supplies that have been donated for soup kitchens5. Clean up your neighbourhood6. Donate books that you no longer use 7. Donate unused clothes and items to the needy 8. Spread positivity on social media. OMG we need this 9. Show kindness to people who don’t necessarily do the same for you 10. Help at relief distribution centres.

Here’s another great idea for Mandela Day:

Calling on 60 million South Africans to “Reach out and touch some-one” at 16h00 on Sunday 18 July 2021, MANDELA DAY.www.working4good.org, a small community-based organisation and sister company to www.impactspace.co.za, has, along with a number of social justice and community-based organisations, initiated a campaign for #NelsonMandelaDay2021, which focuses on reconciliation and healing.Working4Good is calling on 60 million South Africans to “Reach out and touch some-one” at 16h00 on Sunday 18 July 2021 – under the banner of the annual commemorative holiday that celebrates the legacy of Tata Nelson Mandela through good deeds – for 67 minutes or more. Read more here.

There is so much you can do out there.

I would like to end up with something from one of our dad bloggers Mike, who published this post by Herman Labuschagne.

Quietly, dozens of ordinary citizens spontaneously assembled, and drew a line. Beyond that line, no looter set his foot. They determined where the looting would stop, and it did not proceed one inch beyond…

The heroes of South Africa today, have been ordinary people. The Joe Soaps of society. They will receive no medals, but we know who they are. And we will honour them for having prevented the conflagration from engulfing us all.