We are all born to shine. 'Don't ever dim your light to fit in with others. Shine bright. Those who see your spark will shine with you.'
'You have an inner light, a special glow that no one else has.'
This is the life story of a Zimbabwen girl, Emihle, who grew up knowing she was a candle that had to bring light to her family. Her father instilled in her that she can be anything she wanted to be, regardless of being born a girl. Later, life happened and she allowed herself (as a candle) to fall. Her husband and in laws dimmed her light and she allowed it. She was emotionally and physically abused and she succumbed to abuse.
When she lost her husband she had to escape because they were forcing her to marry the husband's brother. By her escaping, she knew she deserved better but could not see her inner strength. She needed validation. She found herself in the hands of a very caring Nigerian old man who wanted to help her find herself again, reach her goals and be anything she wanted to be. Bless Abe's soul. Pity he couldn't live long but died a happy man after a great orgasm, bless his soul. But had he not died, I doubt ikhandlela likayise would have found her light again. Though she knew she had to stand on her own, the man was too kind not to spoil her until she could find herself dependent again.
When she had lost it all, her father, her son, her husband, her marriage and her then boyfriend, she had to be reminded that she was born to lead, to shine and to be a light to herself and her family.
It is never too late to go back to your dreams, to go back to the drawing board and find yourself again. The candle is always there, flickering hope and second chances, yours is to find it and grab it with both hands and shine. We all fall at some point, we lose ourselves and stop believing in our inner strengths just because of what society expects of us and general life challenges but it is doable.
Themes covered
Spirituality, marriage, death, autism, love, immigration, abuse and many more.
Busisekile ensured this time around that we leave our dictionaries alone. Simple English and understandable language used. She took us deep into Zimbabwe. Their culture and terms of things, so you get more knowledge of how they live and how are conditions that side. She paints her towns in such a way that you create your own image of how things are in that country. Well narrated and full of lessons.
Thanks maKhumalo. This was brilliantly dilivered.