Page 62 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 11

COMMUNITY

promises that the Casablanca group only for those of ‘their kind’. They disperse hidden potential to the far
infused the continent with... but yet are fierce enough to chase off pred- flung locations where it is needed,
there is hope - for their words live ators and astute enough to identify safely encased in the nourishment
on and find place in the hearts of friend from foe... and compas- it needs to get a good start. Ensur-
those who still desire and fight for sionate enough to mourn for their ing that those who are unable or
true liberty, those who are still aware loved ones and for others who have unequipped by design to make the
of the scaly dragon-like claws of the passed on from this world. Their journey to spread this life them-
old oppression of the colonialists memories have even allowed them selves will receive all the selfless
around their necks, albeit presented to exert revenge on old enemies – help and strength they need to fulfill
in a new form; those whose cries not cleaving to those who sought to the aspects of their purpose which
of warning to the ones who have destroy them in the past, but erad- are beyond them. That’s collabora-
embraced this ‘new normal’ often icating their influence entirely and tion. We need the fearlessness and
go unheeded until it is too late. teaching their young to do so. Even protectiveness of those who will
Every family, community, nation, in their death and decay, elephants ensure that balance is maintained,
and continent needs some good, provide life and sustenance to so harm is kept at bay and that the
wise and strong 'elephants' in their many in the animal world - and next generation is well taught and
midst if they are to not only survive where a leader dies, the ones who disciplined in what is sustainable
but thrive and blossom. In the world are left behind are equipped suffi- and beneficial for all, empowering
of the elephants, there are those ciently with the wisdom and knowl- them to grow up into wise leaders
who are old enough to remember edge required to thrive without him and members of the community –
the ancient paths, the ways of safety. or her. correcting them and keeping them
They are wise enough to know how Human society needs to learn from harm. We need those who
to nurture and guide the younger from these mighty beasts how to know who the enemy is, and who,
generation to live lives that will be life-giving and life-sustaining no matter what he comes in dressed
sustain a society. The wise old bulls whether alive or dead. We need like, are savvy enough to identify
guide the young males and maintain wise and stable 'elephants' in our him and fiercely dispense with him
balance preventing the bulls from societies... people who are brave and and all his treachery and deceptions
exerting destructive aggression strong and wise enough to shift the and who will teach their children to
against other animals around them. laws, regulations and structures that do the same. We need those who
Likewise, the prudent mature cows no longer serve us or never did. We are not concerned with only ‘their
train the young females in nurture need those who will be able to guide own kind’ but with the welfare of
and care and the searching out us to ancient paths, safely, where the whole, understanding through
of ancient feeding and watering we can draw wisdom for living in the ages how the whole interacts
grounds. This ancient knowledge is the now. People who will ensure sustainably in its diversity and that
used to save herds from drought and that everyone in society gains access a whole is not a whole without the
hardship and to evade danger. The to the sustenance they require by success of each one.
elephant herds are strong enough shaking things up a little so that the The sometimes intimidating force
to knock down old and rotting trees status quo doesn't stifle society in and nature of the wise, the fierce,
to make way for new life to have a its staleness but that light and fresh the bold and the strong is not to be
chance at the sunlight where, before, air are let in so that the new life is al- feared and countered with vicious
they were denied access to spaces lowed to flourish. Recognizing that attacks. Rather it is to be understood
they needed for growth. the new generation holds keys to for its necessity for the betterment
They disperse the seeds of the fruit the survival of the old and selflessly of all. Those who do not play the
they eat, safely encased in nourish- releasing hold for them to step into role of 'elephant' need to ready
ing manure to distant lands that the place. Unlike in our current gener- themselves with electric saws and
trees are unable to reach on their ation where the old - who are sup- rakes to move the fallen trees and
own. And they are able to shake the posed to be elders and custodians branches a little bit so that they can
trees with the fruit and leaves too of ancient wisdom - are competing follow in the path the 'elephants' are
high up for others to reach so that with the young ones for gains... making, and with baskets to reap the
nourishment comes down from the including those of corruption. What benefits of the ‘elephants’’ consid-
inaccessible places to reach those will we have left to offer the genera- ered labor. For theirs is not a path
who are unable to connect without tions to come? of devastation... but rather it is one
the help of these giants – and not We need those with the ability to of recreation.

62 | Heal . Restore . Rebirth . Afrika