Obsessed with things not thoughts

Your ancestor and his colleagues understood something vital that is being obscured by self-declared 'revolutionaries' like Julius Malema: that education is not 'elitism'; education is the great equaliser.

In order to place more value on thoughts than things, one must have access to ideas. Ideas are invisible entities that inhabit the consciousness of humans. The idea of a 'thing' precedes the creation of the 'thing', so even the material world depends on our ability to think, to conceive of possibilities.

The problem with anti-intellectuals like Julius is they fail to recognise that the 'thing' is the product of the thought. By denigrating education as 'elitist', 'classist', 'bourgeois', etc. Julius and his cohorts are preventing their own growth from superficial poseurs to genuine revolutionaries, the kind that envision new possibilities and new ways to liberate the minds of those in thrall to one or another form of oppression such as sexism and racism. Education releases us from the tyranny of a purely emotive-sensory existence where violence is the inevitable outcome of dissent.

Real change cannot be co-erced. It happens in the mind, not just in the emotions. Emotions are transient; values that have been well thought out and tested survive which is why Constitutions are so important. A Constitution is constant reminder and corrective when our emotions cloud our better judgment. But in order to be able to read and comprehend the Constitution, we need education. A very wise teacher named Mark Hopkins one observed "Ultimately, all education is self-education". What he is saying is that the quality of our education depends entirely on us. By shifting our focus from acquiring 'things' to evaluating thoughts we are choosing to abandon emotionally-based prejudices which concentrate on differences. Our common abililty to reason, to compare and analyse ideas, to search for solutions to problems together, that is what is education is for.
Captain Bikitsha understood that.

I sometimes think what will be said at my own funeral, or what my gravestone might read. That always puts things in perspective.

But I think thoughts can also become objects, to be used and abused like things. They can be wholesome or unwholesome. The difference is if they arise motivated by virtues.

Im interested in what society we can become. Sometimes it is a bit frustrating, but that's probably because I'm trying to change something I have no control over. Who is in control of society anyway? Not even the president can make that claim.

There's an old saying that if we take care of the cents, the rands take care of themselves. If each citizen does their part in cultivating virtues, there's no reason why we couldn't have a properous country. Taking personal responsibility is something each person can do.

Great article Nikie, as a person who has been in Blythswood though I never studied there, that Institution produced so many great leaders of our times in various fields more especially Rugby and Boxing.

I would be happy Nikie if you could also trace the same roots of Bikitsha's in the Willowvale area, baziiNkosi there.

What a lovely story.

Dear Nikiwe
Thank you for reminding us of our shared humanity. We need people to remind us of past joys and the pain of separation, but also to carry a flame for the joy of sharing a Sunday meal together (Smiley and Yorkshire pudding..hmmmm).

Great piece Nikiwe. I agree with you in many ways. Delany: u have shared good thoughts with us too, well done, except for: on what basis do u dismiss those who differ with u as anti-intellectuals. Just becaus Ms Bikitsha and her family's views/ideas/values seem to resonate with yours, then they qualify as great intellectuals/thinkers,and others not. Be careful of that kind of reasoning, it's very limiting and dangerous. There has been a tendency in this country recently to identify a select group of public commentators, glorify them and declare them to be sharp, independent intellectuals of note, different from the rest of "them". They seem to enjoy the endorsement they get from select groups of the South African populace and feel that indeed they have come, if they can be recognised by so and so. Wheteher that's real respect and recognition for original and thoughtful analysis of S.African society or not remain to be seen. From where I am standing/observing, I doubt if people like Sobukwe, Steve Biko, Govan Mbeki, harry Gwala, Mdu Lembede will be impressed. Please don't fall into that trap Delany, cause otherwise you are making valid points with which I concur.

A possible error of perception: by saying "..a leader of AmaMfengu...), you've portrayed amaMfengu as if they were a tribe-not. amaMfengu was a name given to a people who have moved from their original place due to civil wars ect(ngelomdabu ulimi kuthiwa bayamfenguza - the act of seeking/looking for land), not only to seek refuge in another place, but to establish themselves there permanently. Hence, as you say, they were looking for land. In that new area, they would be referred to amaMfengu , conferring the notion of 'People not from this place'. You've been modest as well not to mention that amaMfengu were actually given land and had voting rights(as opposed to 'people from that place'): this was a smart stroke by the colonialists in that amaMfengu would form a buffer between the whites and the people who were really disenfranchised (amaXhosa)-hence the conflict. Ask yourself this question: How come was your g-g-grandfather - and Mbheki's as well- was able to build a Missionary School, and the indigenous people(amaXhosa)weren't able to(Not that they couln't)? White people knew amaMfengu actually belong nowhere and easier to manipulate them against other indigenous groups, so as to make sure conflict persisted between them. Prosperous groups during your g-g-grandfather's time seemed largely to be amaMfengu than people of the land.
By the way, a Zimbabwean friend had referred,in a conversation, of the Xhosas who stay in Mateleland as amaMfengu: thus, the name doesn't infer a certain grouping but circumstances of that group.

By the way Nikiwi - Your great Captain almost certainly did kill a lion with his bare hands. As I reflect on your blog, I can remember James McLaren’s daughter telling her confused story of the event. Each time she told it, the details changed. She was a delicate, flighty woman, not unlike some of the young women you write about in your other blogs. We children assumed she had confused him with Paul Kruger.

Niki you've given me a sense of shame; it's so long I've been promising my kids to write something about our family. Now I realise how important it is. I will. Maybe you could, too; and others as well. Then we will stop being amaMfengu but just become the sons and daughters of the soil - like everyone else. I once spoke to Doc when he called me on something, and he told me he had settled down well in Randfontein, next to the 'Boers', and asked him about you. So maybe one day we'll meet - and share ideas. Well done, nice article!

OwasemaBheleni, umfo ka Mafuna, uBokwe

Go girl, absolutely superb piece, I love it.

As always ,well written piece !

Tyhini! Well-written is all i have to say. Such a poignant conclusion.

Thought-proviking. This article reminds our societies of the importance of documenting our current activities for the benefit of future generations. This act will eliminate myths and re-configuration of events that took place during our times...

As the old wise man from Mali, Amadou Hampaté Bâ, once said: "In Africa, an old person who dies is a library that burns". Let's all go to our older folks and learn from them before they die, for they are the last links to some treasures that could be forever lost for us. You are right, it takes dedication and humility. Keep up the good work and may more shiny intellectual nuggets spring up your way! Cherif Keita

Such a wonderful piece of history, I have a lot of relatives that went to Blythswood over the decades. Makes me home-sick though :)

One of the lessons history tells us is that Mfengu people fought side by side colonialists. They killed many Xhosas, their own brothers. That means Nikiwe has inherited that past. Mfengu clan present us with an example to never seek individual recognition at the expense of the collective. The cult where Nikiwe and Prince Mashele come from, should not pretend to care about issues. They should cite real examples where they have made a real difference, talk is cheap. A good example of people not talking but doing is DJ Sbu from YFM and Zola from Zola 7. Can you emulate that? Time will tell.........

It is always a great thing to trace ones' roots, am in the process of tracing mine. Great article sisi.

Nikki, your article struck a nerve! I could not help but respond. Kuddos to your mom for digging up the Mc Gregors. I remember those Blthswood days, particulatly Xmas eve. Yes Anthony and your father Boy were full of mischief! Through my childhood eyes Bly was a pieceful place despite the racial tensions in the country. I remember the spark in my father's eye when he would talk about his grand father Veldtman. I am extremely proud to learn of my great grand father Veldtman's role the building of Blythswood and for his presence of mind in making sure that our people would have a sense of pride, ownership, and dignity in that venture. In this day and age we are not talking devisively as we speak of Xhosas, so to me the question of Mfengu (unlike with some of the respondents to this article) is a non issue.
Well done mtshana I am sure your father, grand father, great , and great grand are all smiling at you. Thank you for enlighting us with those finer details