Monday 7 December 2015

Trials and Tribulations

Trials and Tribulations

By Teboho Masakala


Life itself is full of trials and tribulations that often or many instances deter dreams and stall the future but trials and tribulations should not be the cause of giving up. In fact trials and tribulations are just a test in life to take you a step closer to achieving your dreams. At times we look at trials as something that takes us steps back while in fact trials can be a learning curve.

Nelson Mandela was tested during the 27 years he spent in prison, from the treason trial, not allowed to see his children till they were at a certain age and living with the fact that he might not see freedom again after being banned for life in Robben Island. But the trials he went through did not stop the dreams he had to see a free and democratic South Africa but instead made him look at the bright side of it which was seeing the people of South Africa free.

It wasn’t about his freedom as such but the freedom of other.  Trials are a good learning curve and a stepping stone. Do not be afraid to be tested or pass through the storms because it will produce a good harvest you will be proud of.



Lessons you can learn after passing trials and tribulations:

v  Coming out stronger than ever
v  Learning from the experience
v  Taking life one step at a time
v  Knowing who your real friends are who were supporting you during trials and tribulations
v  Making sure not to face same situation again
v  Look beyond your tests, trials and tribulations
v  Be inspired and proud to have passed a test that has shaped your life for the better
v  Be able to help others who passed the same experience as you
v  Use your experience to inspire, motivate and mentor others.
v  Believe in your abilities.
v  Never giving up



Do not fear trials and tribulations that you face in life but welcomed every challenge as it comes. The is a purpose for every challenge you pass. God won’t give you a burden that you cannot carry or handle.

By Teboho Masakala
copyright (C) Teboho Masakala

Wednesday 2 December 2015

I wish I had stopped and helped you up…




by Bonolo Motsumi


 Upon receiving of the news of your passing, my mind quickly spun in a revolution of memories relived. I tried to look for clues or signs that could have warned me about the seriousness of your illness or that you had little time to live. But with each picture slowly sliding across my closed eyes, I saw no sign of brokenness or severe damage.

Instead, I saw your smile. Your beautiful, sweet smile appeared on every image and with it only came a memory of a warrior who lived her whole life patiently and humbly battling a dreadful disease. Maybe that’s why we missed it.

Maybe that’s why we never saw how near your end was. Simply because you carried your soul with so much dignity and integrity, regardless of its brokenness.

I lament the loss of such a beautiful soul that passed so soon. But I also celebrate the sweet memory of a life well lived in this hard, cruel world that has no mercy on the poor or the ill. I cannot hold back my tears as I can’t help begging time to tick back a little.

 I only need back the three last hours that just passed me by, without telling me of a great sorrow that has befell your family and friends. Maybe if you read this, you would understand that your world was not as dark and empty as you saw it.

Maybe this would change your whole image of life and maybe, just maybe, a lot of things would reverse as well, like your passing.

It was yesterday when I saw your beautiful, lively smile and like always, you were just humbly and beautifully quiet. Little did I know that even when you still walked upright and laughed like nothing was wrong, on this particular day, you were fighting a losing battle.

 We talked a little but I remember well, we never said goodbye. Maybe we saw no necessity to do so but now I lament the loss of that opportunity, the opportunity to caress your cheek and assure you that the road ahead was much comforting and kind, the opportunity to bid you good night.

The world will remember you well for living such a grounded life even though you were haunted by secret, silent demons. When you recited the story of your life to us, we could only imagine how difficult your journey must have been, but nobody could really share your pain and take a piece home to lessen your burden.
Please forgive us.

 Please forgive us for being sympathetic rather than empathetic for you. We didn’t realize that you needed us to be strong instead of being pitiful for you. Beloved friend, please forgive us.

I remember our lives together in an image of a marathon. I remember how the rest of us focused on the race even you fell along the way. I remember how none of us stopped to help you up. I remember how we all wanted to finish the race faster than anyone.

I remember how we were fueled by the cheering crowd to keep on running to claim the victory but now, as I smash this worthless trophy on a rock, I realize how I have lived my whole life hiding you away to avoid the stigma of being associated with a mentally ill person.

Sharp pains strike through my heart as I summon up remembrance of how life would have turned out for us, had I stopped and helped you up. The one second image that I saw almost a mile away when I was two seconds away from jumping over the finish line, is locked in my head. This image pierces my soul deeply and has me wondering if I serve any purpose in life.


 It is the image of a courageous woman who didn't quit the race even when everyone else had finished running. Limping, sweating, she was still walking. Walking towards the finish line we all ran for. The crowd was now watching in sorrow.

 We all wanted to go back and help you but to what would we owe the honour? You made it this far without us and you displayed the greatest quality we never even thought of that day. You displayed courage. Courage to keep going on even when the world thinks you have to give up.


I wish I had stopped and helped you up…

Copyright (c) Bonolo Motsumi
Posted by Teboho Masakala