Ezulwini valley in ESwatini (Swaziland) with beautiful mountains, trees and rocks in scenic green valley between Mbabane and Manzini cities. Traditional hut houses. Photo credit: Maurice Brand / Alamy Stock Photo
It’s 1972
I'm propped up against a wooden barn wall
Soaking up the Swazi sunlight
Dancing off my sun-kissed freckles
Popping succulently tart gooseberries
Into my mouth
One by
juicy one.
Yes, now My ears have picked Up the comforting Whinnying, braying And snorting Sounds of Shammy His coat of beige Grandad's favourite Horse Chomping hay Leather saddles Shiny bridles Stirrups clanking
Photo credit: Luana Azevedo
Ahhh the aromoa of steaming Hot horse manure Tickles my nose Mmmmm I take a deep breath Filling my lungs Of this scent That somehow seems So very reassuring!
I'm mesmerized by these Gentle giants Looming way above My five year old Little me Nuzzling my Blond whispy haired head With their Big sloppy lips
I'm afraid of those Over-sized teeth As I offer up Sugar lumps From my wide open Tiny hands
Oh and ... Breathing in the sweet fragrance Of Granny's roses Deep apricot, lemon And crimson hues Africa Violets of luxurious shades: Lilac, mauve and indigo rich Colours that remind me of her
Photo credit: Jenn Pretious Koh
Timeless pictures fill my mind Of rolling hills, prickly pine cones, And lazy rivers winding Through valleys sleeping Rustling leaves, squeaky trees As warm winds blow
Camping trips with Grandad’s tent A musty smell of military canvas Coarse hemp rope and wooden dollies Morning rusks and Rooibos tea Around a campfire burning Evening Milo and roasted marshmallows As the Swazi sun slowly Shuts his eyes
And Oh! the creepy crawlies Hiding in dark tent corners Safari drives In Grandad's Landie Elephant giants, agile impala And humongous hippopotamus
Photo credit: classicdriver.com
Dad in Royal Swazi Police attire Working long hard days Investigating cases. So much love he has for me Beneath British walls built Over millenia Passed down from Ancestral lives
Sand-pit playing Instruments clashing At Tiny Tots Mum's nursery school Love expanding Creative artist Role modeling
Happy days and
Carefree moments
A simpler time
When life was slow
And TV was a
Thing unknown
Kerosene lamps
To light the way
In our tiny town
Of Goedgegen
Photo credit: knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu
Stark contrasts
A wealthy King While many starving A flailing nation Poverty clutching
King Sobhuza II of Swaziland. Photo credit: officeholidays.com
Yet broad-grinned smiles And laughter Echoing Drums beating Bodies swaying Feet connecting To scorched red Earth Cowrie-shell anklets Shikker-shake-rattling Tongues clicking Fingers snapping Songs of joy Of sorrow Of hope Sweet balm Heart-connecting
Swazi Dancing – Photo Credit: opulentroutes.com
Medicine to cure
The colonial-wreaking
Air
Of dinner parties
Lavish meals
Imported wine
Secret affairs
And polo-watching
Economy turning
Churning
Churning
Turning a blind eye
To all things
Hurting
African elephants roaming ESwatini. Photo credit : AJ Robbie
A dark secret Lies in isolation Atop a hill Far from town A leper colony Disfiguration Limbs lost Pain and suffering Mixed with Gratitude and deep Appreciation for Grandad's presence
Faces light up
As donated Christmas
Gifts are opened
And there...
Standing by his side
My five year old heart
Cries a million tears
Not understanding
Why why why
Such a fate has gripped
These beautiful
Souls so tight
And Deep beneath the surface Of this endearing land Lies a disease Not yet named A sickness that Would seep Through innocent Veins of many.
HIV and Aids.
Mountains of ESwatini. Photo Credit: www.mountaininn.sz
Remembering this timeless place
And all that my white privilege
Was granted
Has made me yearn
To reconnect
And return
The love and light
So often I ask
How may I serve this
Beautiful and vibrant Nation
To in some way
Re-pay the debt
That surely
Cannot be now
Forgotten?
--------------------
After we left ESwatini when I was about 5 years old, we returned regularly to visit Granny and Grandad, my paternal grandparents, who remained there for a few more years after our departure.
ESwatini, which is slightly smaller than Wales, is landlocked by South Africa and Mozambique, and is Africa's last remaining absolute monarch, ruled by King Mswati III. He currently has 15 wives, and was born just two months after me!
Should you ever have the fortune of traveling to ESwatini, here are 10 things you should know before visiting, and the 15 Best Places to Visit.
I thought I didn’t have too many memories of those early years, but apparently, I do have some very vivid images!
