REFUGEE IN SOUTH AFRICA
REFUGEE IN SOUTH AFRICA
A long time ago, in Lubumbashi, there was a group of thirty-three men and women who running away from death. They wished to go to South Africa for protection. Thirty of them died on the way and three survived.
Kongolo was one of the survivors, he said,” Africa my continent, Africa my origin land, I ‘am proud black African, isiZulu, Swahili, siSwati, Shona, Sesotho, Swana, Ndebele, shangaan, Venda, Afrikaans are African languages. Africa is a Beautiful land with nice weather, nice fauna, and flora, Very rich, rich in everything around the world,
I call it the Garden of Eden ... let us live and relax our African countries. Millions of Africans lost their lives in these countries: ‘D.R.Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Ivory-cost, Angola, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Mali, R.C.A, Burkina Faso, Liberia, and Egypt ... the war countries.’
Why do we make war, genocide, and massacre?
Jealous, discrimination of races, Xenophobia, Afro-phobia could not find place in Africa. We are all Africans ... same blood, same culture, and same issues.
Oh, black people, much-neglected nation around the world. We kill our brothers and sisters by witchcraft, poison, guns, knives, machetes because of green-eyed. May peace come in all Africa; let us build peace and unity.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, Emery Patrice Lumumba, Julius Kambarage Mwalimu Nyerere, Prince Louie Rwagasore, Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, Samora Moises Mashel, used to sing, ” Peace in all Africa.”
About 3.333 km , people walked for protection, most of them died on the way, others had been raped by the gangsters in the forests, captured by the lions, leopards, big snakes, crocodiles in the forests and the rivers before they could reach the Republic of South Africa.
South Africa, rich country, the head of Africa, Africa Kusini as Swahili speakers say, and Africa Borwa as Sotho scream, Mzansi Africa,
I am a refugee in South Africa. I was from far way, I was very tired, and I walked day and night. I thought that I reached Canaan, the land of milk and honey.”
At Beit bridge border
When they arrived at Beit bridge border and entered the office, the immigration officers interviewed them.
“Who are you and where are you coming from?” Immigration officer lwandle asked them.
Kongolo knew to speak English then he became a targeted person.
“I am kongolo and coming from Congo,” Kongolo replied Lwandle. She wanted to know if they were documented.
“Can you show me your travel documents (passports)?” Lwandle asked them. They did not have documents.
“No sister, we do not have the documents,” Kongolo replied on the behalf of all asylum seekers.
Lwandle called them “illegal migrants,” they felt so bad. Then she asked,” how did you cross those other countries without documents?”
“Why, illegal immigrants in Africa, we are brothers and sisters from other mothers, hard question, I do not know exactly what you are talking about; God helped us to reach this place safety. So baffled, I am lost ... where are we exactly?” he sounded so traumatized but Lwandle could not see that, she was doing her work, following the requirement of asylum seekers.
“This is South Africa, why did not you stop in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and or Zimbabwe, “she asked them again, they were so humble in front of her
“My sister, we passed by Zambia ... they did not welcome us, “said Kongolo.
“What about in Zimbabwe, “asked Lwandle.
“Headaches, are you trying to help us? On the other hand, you are arresting us.
It is a long story... I know that I am in Zimbabwe the country of the Hero Mugabe,” said Kongolo, he was the leader of the group; his friends were so scared. They thought of deportation soon.
Lwandle said, “this is South Africa again... do you want to go back in Zimbabwe?’
“No sister, “said Kongolo‘s friend “Musa”, he was shaking.
“Why did not you stop there? “Asked Lwandle.
“Because Zimbabwe is in crisis, even Zimbabweans run away their country,” said Kongolo.
“Why did you run away from your country to here? “Said Lwandle.
“Sister, people know very well that D.R. Congo is the field of rebellions from 1996 until today. They are multiple attacks of rebels pushed by different negative forces “Crimes, intimidation, kidnapping day and night ... Etc,” said Kongolo.
“When will you go back to your country? “Said Lwandle.
“When peace come back totally, I will be the first to move back home. I am not a slave in Africa, “said Kongolo.
“What kind of Assistance do you want from South African government?” Said Lwandle.
“Nothing else than protection, “said Kongolo.
“Thank very much for your good choice to like South Africa. The country of honey and milk ... but you will not find a tap of milk,” said Dikeledi, one of the immigration officers who came to help Lwandle.
“You are most welcome brothers, Freedom country... Any one is free to express his opinion in South Africa only,’ said Tshidi, one the securities.
“Feel free to marry South African women from any tribes ... Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Swazi, and Ndebele, Venda, shangaan-Tsonga ... so on. Nevertheless, remember to make HIV test before your marriage, “said Melisizwe, Lawndale’s best friend and colleague.
“Know that we are same people; South Africa is not as if an ancient Egypt where Israelites were slaves making bricks by the high command of pharaoh.
Use your mind to survive. ‘By working, we are going to eat, ‘“Lwandle advised them to focus in their lives.
“Whenever you get lost in town, approach any woman for help ... do not ever forget this,” Tebogo instructed them how they could avoid criminals, many robberies and men motived killings.
“Check these African flowers in this office, you will find them in all the nine provinces of the country; do not rush to put them in your house. You will see the multicolour flowers in the streets: rose, purple, maroon, chocolate, khaki, brown, and white,” said Tshidi, she was so opened to them, she felt loving one of the men but she was afraid of her colleagues.
Once bitten, twice shy
“Evil people always want to find wrong thing to do. Nevertheless, good people have strength that goes deep like roots. Brothers and sisters, my late father always consoled me with the wise words. I had a friend that planned to destroy me at school then one day she visited me at home around morning. Father saw her as a stranger and told me to open eyes day and night. I had question, how can I open eyes night? Next day my mother asked me,’ do you see the hole in front of you?’ I could not see anything. When my friend betrayed me then my mother reminded me those words,” you did not see the hole now you fall in the pit. What is coming next?” I was so confused and I could not trust again many friends,” Veronica related her life story.
“That is part of life, once bitten, twice shy.
No matter what, I love him,” said Tebogo.
Lwandle called Tebogo outside and told her,” my friend, we are at work but I love that person, even he is dirty. He looks suffering on the way but he is a man of my choice”
“He looks like a God-fearing man, I heard his speech, and loved him too,” said Tebogo.
“Hau! You too, I taught you did not see him... those people in the office will cause trouble. Let us direct them to Johannesburg because it is near to Masina, “Lwandle flabbergasted. Lwandle gave kongolo and his friends the permits of 15 days in the country and sent them to the Home Affairs around Johannesburg. Kongolo followed the procedures of the Home Affairs correctly and they gave him a Refugee Status after some months. It came to pass a year, kongolo remember the advice of Tshidi, when she said,” African flowers in the office, in the streets, in all nine provinces to mean that South Africa has beautiful women everywhere. “
One day, Kongolo was walking in Soweto, and then he saw a beautiful woman on the street and stopped her. He said,” sorry, sorry sister, can I talk to you please? I am kongolo.”
“Why and what do you want? “Msizi asked him, she neglected him. He looked like a foreigner and she was disappointed by her mom, whenever she fallen in love to a foreign man, her mom wanted to make suicide.
“Please give me chance, I beg you thirty three times. You are very beauty woman, the queen of Africa. Give me one minute please!” Kongolo impressed her by words. While calling her, “beauty woman” then she came nearer.
“your name looks so fanny, kongolo, how I may help you?’ said Msizi.
“You win my heart; I have never seen a beautiful woman like you in this world. Thanks God to embellish your face like an angel.” Kongolo revealed his feeling.
“Hau, how did God titivate me like? “Msizi astonished, she could not believe Kongolo.
“Maybe you do not own a mirror, there are hundred women around this place but you still shimmering,” Kongolo promised her the world, she laughed a lot. Most of women always want men who make them laugh most of the time.
“Kongolo, thanks for all compliments, I gave you one minute to tell me your preoccupation and you failed ... good-bye.” Said Msizi, Kongolo took long-time to finalised his mission, she loved him too much but she could not pronounce it.
“Thank for your time too. Nevertheless, I wish to know your name ... Oh! Rose African flower! “Said Kongolo.
“I am not Rose; call me Msizi, which mean a helper. What are your home language and country of origin?” Msizi wanted to know the man.
“I am a refugee in South Africa; I was born in Africa and taught by the Africans. I wish to marry an African queen so that my son can be an African prince,” said Kongolo.
“Big deals, wrong person, do you know where you are now?” Msizi was tired, because he took long to say,” I love you. “The word which could heal her heart as she had some scars into the heart.
“Really, tell me more about yourself. Oh! I can see the beauty in the eye of the holder,” said Kongolo. Some street venders were laughing at them. Seeing a foreign young man in the company of a citizen young woman … It was unusual.
“I have lost my time, this is unnecessary topic. Tell the sky to answer your dreams, “said Msizi.
They separated. Msizi went to tell her friends about Kongolo, she said,” friends, the world has men but today, I saw the one I love ... the soap of my heart. That man did not say that he loves me but he got intention of love. He is looking for an African queen.”
Her friends laughed and said, “Wish him the best; women are same around the world.”
Msizi did not want to argue with her friends because she was a looser already. She had fallen in love with three foreign persons but her family did not want them.
Msizi did not sleep well that day.
Then next morning, she went to work. On the way, she saw Kongolo with his friends then called him,” Kongolo, Kongolo, come to me dear, here is a new love song.”
Kongolo heard the beautiful voice and ran quick to hear the song.
“What is the name of the new song? Kongolo asked Msizi.
“Hospitalisation, “she answered him.
“Can you sing it to me? On the other hand, bring the lyrics, “said Kongolo
“I loved Kongolo, my mom heard about him, and she felt sick. She is hospitalising in room 33-bed number 3. After 3 weeks, the hospital doctor will discharge her.
What is your reason to be in South Africa? “Msizi sang publicly. People who heard the song laughed at her, she looked like a comedian.
“Lwandle called me an illegal immigrant and an illegal immigrant does not have reason to be in the country. I am a refugee on this earth, and my home is in heaven, “he spoke about what happened to him while he was new comer in South Africa.
“No, no, your song does not answer my question correctly. Your home is D.R.Congo.
Relax, Kongolo is a Congolese name, I have been working at the radio station with a Congolese journalist called Cecilia Kongo, she taught me more about African names and surnames. I am able to identify a person through his surname. I know 13 African languages. Did you find a woman of your choice? “Msizi said.
“I am happy to see you again dear, is everything okay? “He said. He were looking at her with a big smile.
“My mom is very sick at hospital,” she reported the estate of her mom. She was so happy to see her sick, because she interfered her business.
“Can we go to see her? “He asked Msizi. He sounded as a good person.
“She is in critical condition, when she will see you and it will be her good bye, “she said.
“Am I a dangerous person?” Kongolo asked again.
“No, she does not want to see me in consort with foreign men, I told her about you, and she felt sick immediately. She always say that men from outside are crooks but in reality men are same.” she confirmed the bad behaviour of her mom. They were walking while talking together. A taxi came and stopped near them, the conductor knew Msizi, then he said,” I can see a brother in law, congratulation. “
“Thanks” said Msizi. The driver played a lovely song, Msizi and Kongolo entered the taxi and set at the back seat. Those people interrupted their conversation, then they went to town. Arriving in town, they continued their conversation.
“Remember, all is fish that comes in the net, “said Kongolo.
“You are true my friend, like father, like son. We forgot where we came from, “said Msizi. “Shame, God did not create us differently, we are same ... blacks African.”
“True that, “Kongolo agreed with Msizi.
“May God manifest His power, I wish to marry you ... you are the fourth man I met in my life and who think about uniting Africans. I am from Zulu kingdom, “Msizi said; she was a princess.
When they were still talking Lwandle met them on the threshold of the street and asked Kongolo,” did you find a Yellow flower? “
“Msizi, sorry I have your number ... let me talk to that African Queen in the car over there,” said Kongolo. While going to meet Lwandle, the woman who love him too and hid her feelings because of her colleagues.
“Do you find your sweetheart? Is that the woman of your choice? Talk to me, I love you, “said Msizi.
Kongolo did not answer again Msizi; he went to meet Lwandle straight and continued their way to Masina.
God answered my prayers
Lwandle had the expensive houses and cars. She was very rich than Msizi but Msizi loved kongolo deeply.
Arrived at Masina, lwandle pledged kongolo a good job and other thing. They started to live together.
One week later, Lwandle didn’t go to work, she decided to be at home with her lovely man and then asked him,” how hard was your Journey to peace place?”
“Dear, I told you when you had interviewed me last year, “said Kongolo.
“Nothing-wrong honey, we are now together ... do you mind about the first interview? “Said Lwandle.
“You once called me an illegal migrant, and you reminded me the story. Are you investigating me then? I thought that you are here for the real love, now you pretend. Tomorrow morning, I am going back in Johannesburg to meet my lovely Msizi. I wished to marry a queen and Msizi is a princess, “said Kongolo.
” I never meant to hurt you; it was a simple question. I am the queen you were looking for; I saw you from the first time and loved you. Nevertheless, I respect my work ... I could not demonstrate love same day, I knew that we will meet in life again. I kept on praying for you. You always be in my daily prayer, “said Lwandle.
“Why did you divorce your husband?” Kongolo asked Lwandle.
“Come down love, do not go far in this ... forgive me please, “said Lwandle.
Kongolo said, “You know lwandle; we were thirty-three men and women coming to South Africa when the war started in our country in 1996. Our aim was to get protection in Africa. We did not have enough money for transport but our legs were our transport,
When we crossed the Zambezi River, some friends left in the river and we did not see them again. The River was rushing and they failed to swim hard. We mourned for them in the way. When we reached Tongogara forest, we met some dangerous animals and became their food. Many friends lost lives in that forest. We mourned for them in the way. We walked day and night and sometimes we got lifts.
When we reached at Beit Bridge ... we were obliged to traverse the Limpopo River, full of crocodiles ... the water became red. Only three left as the winners, we found ourselves in the national park morning. We could not mourn for our brothers and sisters again ... we were tired to cry. We hid whole day, waited to cross the fence. Night we crossed the fence and entered your office. You confused us too much. We could die in your office that day because you were not look to help us.
“Painful story… escaped to die and met the death on the way. Oh, Africa I did not know more about your struggle love. I was doing my work dear. I wish to marry you and have kids who will wipe your tears in the future, “said Lwandle.
“What happened to your first man? “Kongolo asked Lwandle.
“I was a man in the house, one day I told him to wash my under wears and went to work, when I came back from my work I could not find him in the house. I looked for him everywhere in the country, I could not find him; I used my money to control him. He wanted free things; he did not want to work. I gave him many opportunities but he was lazy than a woman, “said Lwandle.
“I do not seem to be with you, may be you will tell me to do that horrendous shame to African men, “said Kongolo.
“My friend, I always blame myself and I will not let you run away ... a woman without her real man, she is like an expired food on the table. Let us build our family in peace and love, “said Lwandle.
Kongolo was an engineer in civil engineering then Lwandle helped him to open his own company of construction. They lived best life in their relationship.
After 13 years, they had six kids (three boys and three girls).
So sorry
They heard about a Congolese pastor called Mayeso then they organised a trip to see him. They stayed a week with Pastor Mayeso, Mpho and other believers. Life always is good to live together in love and peace. Pastor Mayeso did not want kongolo and his family leave his house because of their motivation in the house. They always remind him Home “played with kids every night after working.”
Pastor Mayeso cried when Kongolo went back at Masina. Lwandle, Kongolo, and their kids were remorseful, they could not stay long there because of works, but they promised him to be back at his wedding day.
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