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194e - Nashua Mobile - First Evaluation - Esselen Park

It was a very bright afternoon when Solomon Mondlane (Community Forester) visited Esselen Park Township a week after 1000 trees from Nashua Mobile were distributed to the residents of that area. This was the first evaluation which takes place 7 days after the trees were distributed. The aim of this visit is to ensure that trees are planted, and they are planted in a right way as demostrated by the Community Forester during the Community Educators’ workshop; and during the tree distribution event. It is also a time to interact with the home owners to get their views concerning the project. The Community Forester works very close with the Community Educators.

The residents of Esselen Park were so excited to see the team from Food & Trees for Africa coming to check on their trees. “This is encouraging to us as we see you once again making followups to your project. We are encourged to look and care for our trees the way you want us to because it is for our own good.” said Veronica Dlomo of house number 74. “I speak to my tree every morning, and I make sure it speaks back to me. When I see my tree green and standing upright, I get excited because I know it is communucating life to me.” She continued.

Most of the residents are following the 8 steps of planting a tree, and in most houses trees are mulched and water bottles are placed by the trees as it was instructed during the tree planting demonstration.

The residents were so welcoming, and could share about some challenges in the community. “We need Food & Trees for Africa to start a food garden project in our community.” proposed Eric Mahuko of house number 76. The Community Forester and the Community Educators had much fun and they were capturing everything on camera. The houses that were visited were per the door to door forms.

Overall, the day was very much exciting.

Nanette meeets Nanette

Nanette and Nanette having a great time at Khulisa offices in Rosebank

My little daughter Nanette was named after my former colleague at Khulisa Crime Prevention Innitiative. Yesterday (25 July 2011), the 2 met for the first time in 3 years since Nanette was born. It was a happy moment as the two shared gifts and smiles in the office. Thanks to Nanette...

Nanette, Precious and Nanette

Mandela Day - 67 Minutes of Service

Solomon Mondlane - Mandela Day

Mandela Day - 67 Minutes of Service

FTFA and Nashua Mobile together celebrated the Mandela Day on 18 July 2011. Nashua Mobile sponsored the event with 1000 trees to be distributed and planted in Esselen Park, Tembisa. Atleast 17 volunteers from Nashua Mobile joined us as we sang, danced and planted trees in each household. We were also joined by the team from Ekurhuleni and by the PR Counsellor and her team.

This was a great day, and the community residents came in numbers to celebrate the Mandela Day and to receive their trees. Young and old came from every household to honour such a great icon from the African continent. The programme starterd on a high spirit as Solomon Mondlane led the community in struggle songs. “This is the most important day in our lives as we honour the tallest tree of Africa, tata Nelson Mandela.” Said solomon Mondlane addressing the crowd. “Long live Nelson Mandela long live!” shouted a jubilant Solomon Mondlane.

Asipa Mancane Kulane a teenager from the same community led the crowd as she sang the National Anthem. She also sang a birthday song to Tata Nelson Mandela.

Our first speaker was the PR Counsellor, Ruth Shabalala who welcomed everyone present during the event. “Today in history our hero is born.” Said Ruth. “We are so thankful to Nashua Mobile and FTFA for thinking of this community. We feel special and honoured as we celebrate this day together.” Continued Ruth.

Our poet Nosipho Sibanda sang praises to the world long living species, the tree. “You are a gift of life... without you we are all dead.” Shouted Nosipho.

The next speaker was Mosima Maake from 'Put a Smile organisation' who echoed Ruth Shabalala’s words when she sang praises to Nashua and FTFA. Sipho Mathe, FTFA’s Senior Community Forester spoke on behalf of FTFA. “FTFA has been planting trees for the past 21 years, and Nashua Mobile has been in partneship with us in some of the projects.” Said Sipho.

TT Nzimande gave a short background about Nashua Mobile’s involvement in tree planting projects. He thanked FTFA for being a good partner. TT Nzimande presented the CEs with certificates, and FTFA also presented Nashua Mobile with a certificate in honour of their greening initiative in South Africa.

Solomon Mondlane and Edwin Makushu did a tree planting demonstration before people were handed their trees. We had a poem by Nosipho Sibanda and music item from Nokhaya Makrexeni. What a great day we had as the sponsors, the service providers, the community leaders and the community residents sang and danced together.

(All pictures by Joanne Rolt)

A Tree Planted In Honour of Simphiwe Musa Junior

Nanette Mondlane standing next to a tree planted in memory of her brother

On 12 July 2011 a tree was planted in memory of Simphiwe Musa Junior Mondlane at Esselen Park Tembisa. Present were Solomon Mondlane (Father), Nanette Mondlane (Sister), Esselen Park Pro Counsellor Mrs Ruth Shabalala, FTFA’s Senior Community Forester, Sipho Mathe and other 10 Community Members (Community Educators). Rest in Peace baby!

We are also praying for Nanette who was knocked by a car on the day she planted a tree for her brother. She is so far unable to walk but the Doctors said no bone was broken.

 Solomon Mondlane and Mrs Ruth Shabalala watering a tree planted in honour of Simphiwe

Solomon Mondlane explaining how this tree will keep the memory of Simphiwe alive

Funeral of Simphiwe Musa Junior Mondlane

06 July 2011

Programme Director: Solomon Mondlane (Father)

Songs:

• Nkosi sikelela i-Afrika

• Iyo Calvary

• Makabongwe u-Jesu

1. Father thanking everyone who was present: the inlaws, FTFA team and sister.

2. Word read in the book of 2nd Samuel 3:32-34 (giving a short background of a soldier (Abner) who died like a fool. Simphiwe died like a hero as his father sang praises for him; a premature baby who only lived for 5 days compared to a Commander who has lived for years; who faught and conquered wars; but when he died, he died like a criminal)

3. Solomon Mondlane (father) sang praises to Simphiwe Musa Junior Mondlane

• He was born 28 July 2011

• Passed on, 03 July 2011

- Simphiwe taught us so much in just 5 days

- He taught us to accept (live with it)

- He taught us to care

- He taught us to love

- He taught us to hope

- He taught us to forgive

- He taught us to be bold & to be proud

- He taught us to be thankful

- He taught us to testify

- He taught us to smile

- He taught us to cry

- He brought nations together in prayer

- Doctors gave testimonies

- You strenghthen our faith Simphiwe

- And you united our family

- You were a special child Simphiwe. You did not die like Abner; you did not die like a fool. Your name will always be written in bold in our hearts.

4. Word of thanks from the Mahlangu family

5. Word from Food & Trees for Africa team (father’s colleagues) – Mr. Sipho Mathe

6. Coffin lowered

7. Close with prayer – Mr. Sipho Mathe

Baby Simphiwe Musa Junior (Solomon) Mondlane

He taught us so much just in 5 days; he taught us to accept (live with it); to care; to love; to hope; to forgive; to be bold & proud; to smile & to cry; to be thankful & to testify.

You brought nations together in prayer; Doctors gave testimonies and you united families; you strengthen our faith. Simphiwe, you were such a special baby.

When you were born on 28 June 2011, the family celebrated. It has been our prayer to have a son; and you came. Yes, you came earlier than expected; at 27 weeks you were born. I watched your mother each day carrying a child she had so much hope for; a child who was given a name by our little daughter Nanette as Junior. She was so full of joy and expectations no matter what the Doctors were saying.

You came Junior; you came fighting. You fought even though there was no hope. You fought against the words of the Doctors who gave you no chance to live at all. You kept us hoping and you strengthen us each day. Junior, your name will always be in our hearts.

We wanted you to live baby boy. Your mother and I kept watching you by your bed side. Your grandparents kept on praying and believing that you will make it. You brought us very close to one another each day.

You strengthen our network amongst friends all over the country; in the neighbouring countries and abroad in prayer.

Doctors testified about you, and I realised how important you were; and how many people you have touched as you continued to hold on to life.

On 3 July 2011, 5 days after you were born God decided to take you away from us. We don’t question God, but we have all the reasons to celebrate your life spent with us. I will say, and I say, “In my lifetime, I had a son.” And that son is you Junior Simphiwe Musa Mondlane. Rest in peace my boy.

What really happened?

We don’t know what really happened; we blame no one for what happened but we have to say this:

It is true that Junior Simphiwe Musa was born with physical disabilities. His right foot was amputated; his left foot was much bigger; and his right hand had one finger (thumb). The Doctors tried to hide the child from the mother Precious when he was born; and they tried to explain about the conditions Simphiwe was in; but Precious requested that the child be shown to her immediately. “As long as my son is alive, please bring him to me.” She pleaded. That statement touched the medical team at Steve Biko Academic Hospital.

2 days later, I met one Doctor, Kutumela who came to Precious and said, “You are such a couragious mother. I will never forget what you said the day you gave birth to your son. ‘As long as my child is alive...’ that statement touched my life. I’m still asking myself about the kind of faith you have, and how much thankful to everything He gives you.” She said.

 

Simphiwe’s fight started on his 3 months in her mother’s womb. We had no idea that Precious was pregnant. She became sick and she decided to go and visit a local clinic at Mayibuye in Tembisa. After she was examined she was told that she had a miscarriage; and they gave her a prescription so that she could cleanup her womb. She took that medication for a couple of days. She became more sick. She decided to go to the main Tembisa hospital. Again, she was given another prescription to cleanup her womb.

 

After a couple of days, Precious returned to the Tembisa hospital. She was sick! This time a thorough checkup was done. Wow! A baby was discovered. According to the Doctors, he was so small and was already 3 months.

 

Now, this was a concern at a first go. “Will the child be ok?” The Doctors ordered Precious to stop taking the medication because it was dangerous for the child. “Yes!” The Doctors assured us that the child was in good health. As a family we prayed. I called Pastor France Ledwaba; Pastor Engelbrecht; My sister Makhosi Mondlane, my colleague Mrs Annah Kgatla and her team of prayer warriors to pray over this situation. We stayed in prayer in prayer for as long as Precious was carrying a child in her womb. She always complained of pains in her womb/stomach. Her pregnancy was not an easy one compared to the first one.

 

On her 6th month, Precious was admitted and complications on her pregnancy were reported. The baby’s protective fluid had burst (her water broke) and the placenta tore a little bit and caused severe bleeding. The child was reporetd to have 50% chance to live; while the mother was standing a risk. A week later in hospital, Simphiwe Musa Junior was born. The family celebrated. 5 days later, he passed away.

 

What happened? We don’t want to know. God gave us a son; and God took him away from us.