Heavy sigh....here goes...

When I set out to start this blog I had the intention of sharing my travelling stories and pictures. And that hasn't changed 1 bit. However I do feel that travelling is more than physically going to a place and seeing it with ur own eyes, travelling can also be done mentally and emotionally. I am about to make a mental and physical journey that will probably change my life forever. Infact it sort of has already because it began on 01/01/2014 when I returned home from partying to find my mom in tears.

In a matter of hours a court case will begin at the Ramsgate High Court where 3 people will face charges of conspiring to murder (premeditated murder), murder and kidnapping. Sounds like a normal case that happens from time to time right? I usually follow cases as I find the court system intriguing. I followed the Oscar Pistorius case from day 1 til the last. I did so as well with the Judge Maqubela case. So 1 would think it wud be normal for me to follow this case as well. Well unfortunately in this case 1 of the accused is/was my stepmother and the victim my biological father. Let me take u into this journey with me from the beginning.

It had been a warm and good new years eve and had been looking forward to a new year. I had said that this would be my year. 2014 that is. I was not prepared for what I was about to go through. As I walked in at home I was called into my mother's room. I had never seen her face like that..I knew something was wrong. See in the early hours of the morning I had felt extremely cold. And not because of the weather. I remember telling my cousin that something is not right. Anyway.
The words "Bandile...U Zukile uswelekile" (your Father has passed away) pierced my heart in a manner that shook my whole world and everything in that moment stopped and nothing mattered. At all. I had lost my friend. Me and my dad were friends more than father and son. And he was no more.

Fast forward to me arriving to make preparations for his funeral. See I come from a very cultured family so I had to be a man and take responsibility. My father was murdered. In a way not even an animal deserves to die. It was the most horrific thing that has ever happened in that town and possibly province. I remember standing over his body just looking at him thinking it's him but it's not him. A part of me died with him. Life changed forever.
Anyhu I did what I had to and we buried him. Gave him a heroes send off with more than 2000 people in attendance. From ANC members to SADTU to friends and family. The support we received was beyond amazing and I truly thank everyone who was there for me and my family during that time. God bless you all.
Anyway I'm being forced now to go back to all of that. To deal with it again. Hopefully get closure when they get arrested. But whatever happens, whatever the justice system decides. I pray God gives me the strength to move on. The strength to stand and walk tall and know that he lived his life and is now gone to a better place. May God give us the strength to heal and be okay again coz deep down my heart is still shattered.
I am my father's son. And I love him so much. I'm fortunate that before his last hour I had spoken to him and told him that I love him. So I know he passed on happy. Travel this journey with me. Your prayers are highly appreciated. Bless you all.

Time away from soccer

Some of the pictures of what I get up 2 when not on the field...enjoying America. In a happy space.

"Bob and Darla...God's own angels"

Throughout my life and my travelling I've been fortunate and blessed to meet alot of great, talented and just amazing people of all ages and sizes. But they all nothing like the people I met this past weekend. Bob and Darla or rather Grandpa and Grandma as they are famously known, Bob did say he has a face for Hollywood after all, lol.

From the first time I met them they greeted me with this genuine smile that I've never seen before. It was so warm and genuine that I immediately knew that I was meeting greatness. Bob firmly shook my hand and said "well I'm grandpa and do I say Jambo when I greet?". See Bob had been to Tanzania before and remembered that they greeted like that there. We spoke briefly but I had to rush out as I had a game.

I was beyond touched and humbled when these 2 80+ year olds came out in the cold rain to see a few minutes of my game. See I was so moved that I remember getting teary eyed. See Bob didn't even like soccer as he is an American Football coach and former player. But they had opened their hearts to this South African boy and decided that I was a grandson to them. I pray I have a heart like that 1 day.

It was amazing how even at that age they were so interested in learning about South Africa from me. Truly humbling. I tried being as honest as possible and as great of an ambassador as possible for my country. I must've done a good job as they both said they would love to visit in the near future.

I managed to get some time with them asking them a few questions about life, love and success. Take time reading through their answers and see if you won't learn a thing or 2.

Banda: What is it that has kept you guys together for so long? (They have been married for more than 50 years having met when there where 19 and 20)

Answer: well beyond anything it was the fact that we loved each other deeply and we wanted the best for each other as individuals

Banda: what advice do you have for young people trying to live and make a success out their lives?

Answer: read and travel. See reading allows you to travel to places and times without you having to be physically there. Reading takes your mind all over without you spending or incurring costs.  And if you get a chance do travel. Meet people, see places. We have been to a number of countries in our life but our favourite must be our trip to Isreal. Isreal makes the Old Testament come alive.

Banda: what would you say success is? And has the answer to this question changed over the years?

Answer: success is being happy with yourself (Darla). Success is being great at what you do ( Bob). And this has obviously changed over the years. At first it was money and all the material possessions 1 could attain. Then we realised that these things r temporary and that more important than this was personal happiness.

See I asked them plenty more questions but I would go on and on if I where to write all of them. Take time to process their answers and just see the beauty and humility in them.
I'm truly blessed to have met such great and amazing people. I saw a piece of God in them. God bless their souls, give them health and many more years.

Bob and Darla,  thank you for opening your hearts to this boy. I wish you blessings upon blessings. And Bob you are the original deal, a true OG. And Darla,  may the woman I marry be just half of the woman you are. Thank you for blessing my life. And what you said about me and the words I shall never forget. I truly thank you. God bless both of yal. 

High School Graduation

There is no evidence that suggests that you can not be great.

As I sat in that hall that evening at the Reeths Puffer high school my mind began to wonder. Sitted next to me where proud parents of a young American who had over the past 3 weeks became a sister to me, they do say that it's not only blood that makes people family. The manner in which this family had warmed up and opened up their home and hearts to me made me part of the family and I knew from that day on they shall be planted in my heart forever. I don't know where life will take me or where I will end up in the future but I do know this 1 thing, Mr Ron Peel and his family would forever be in my heart.

I asked myself if maybe we should adopt this system in South Africa,  High School graduation. Why? You may ask yourself. The answer is simple. Because we have to collect all these small victories and 1 day they will add up and spell out success. So maybe we should allow our kids to be celebrated at a high school level.

Now back to the graduation, a straight face he tried to keep throughout the whole thing however in his teary eyes I could see the pride and unmatched joy of seeing his last born daughter graduate from high school. She was going to big school and I think that scared Kelley as much as it excited her. Comforted by the fact they had raise 1 hell of a smart and emotionally intelligent daughter their faces beamed with smiles that no words could ever begin to express. I then understood that the importance of being great goes far beyond ourselves. It's necessary for all those who had sacrificed their time, money and efforts believing in us and pushing us to be great. It hit me that at times you ought to become great not even for you. But for all those sacrifices that were made for you. This 1 statement sat heavily in my heart, "there is no evidence that suggests that you can not be great"...and these are the words I would've uttered to Micah and the fellow graduates had I gotten the chance.
We ought to strive for greatness at all times because many believe in us and simply because God is on our side.

Go on and be great. Ntinga ntaka ndini.

Orebro City. Sweden

How beautiful is Sweden. I learnt so much about myself here. Spent 2 and a half months in Orebro.  Was amazing for me as an individual as I got time to grow as a person and truly get to know myself.

From time to time give urself a chance to be alone and just get to know yourself.

If u ever find urself in Orebro go try the pasta from Java restaurant.  U won't regret it.