“i’ll be back with a bag of peaches”
I spent time living and working in Pietermaritzburg, located on the east coast of South Africa in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, from 2019 to 2020. Each day, I would leave the office for an afternoon stroll, weaving in and out of alleyways, visiting shopkeepers, and buying peaches from nearby outdoor fruit vendors. Initially, I was struck by the new sounds, voices, and languages that surrounded me. However, as the weeks and months passed in this new place, these sounds transformed into a familiar landscape. Listen to the brief captions and sounds of Pietermaritzburg.
A long heptagonal table filled the quaint conference room at Sinomlando Centre, a grassroots agency dedicated to trauma healing through art-based psychosocial approaches. I was part of their team, supporting various projects. Each morning, I would sit with my back to the window, plugging in my computer and opening a fresh page in my notebook. I made a cup of Rooibos tea and shared bits of breakfast that my colleagues generously offered, establishing a comforting morning routine. This conference table became our gathering place, an island for conversation and connection. On my favorite days, a faint humming would rise, evolving into a communal song as colleagues joined in. I delighted in the warmth of their voices, a soothing balm against the chill of South African winter months.
I was recommended to visit a young couple from Goma, Congo, who were talented tailors. I had purchased bright blue fabric from a nearby second-hand store, envisioning a casual everyday skirt. The fabric featured hexagonal patterns that resembled glimpses through a kaleidoscope. As I waited patiently for the tailored garment to be completed, I learned about Bahati’s deep love for Jesus. As she sang, her voice vibrated through the thin threads of the fabric, causing the skirt to dance in all sorts of directions.
I rode in the back seat of a small dark blue car, traversing the hills and valleys of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The rolling hills stretched far beyond what my eyes could see, adorned with tall grasses and multi-colored houses nestled in the dips. This province is known for its subtropical climate, offering a temperate warmth that invites life.
Alongside my colleagues from Sinomlando Centre, we arrived in the town of Mpophomeni to attend a community ceremony that united people of all ages from nearby towns. The event was a vibrant celebration, showcasing traditional movements and sounds of Indlamu, a Zulu dance often performed during community gatherings.
Young girls in red, white, and blue pleated skirts danced gracefully, their necks adorned with large, colorful beads. Young boys wore animal skins, complete with crowns made from the same material. Their voices rose in powerful, synchronized melodies that echoed the songs of their forefathers and foremothers, weaving a rich tapestry of culture and heritage.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am with them” (Matthew 18:20). How do we embody the church? Every Wednesday evening, I joined a group of young adults as we gathered to praise God, share the Word, and provide food for those living on the streets of Pietermaritzburg. The evening streets resonated with worship for a God who serves the least of these.