The wonders of my world

Thank you Lord, and my ancestors (ooJola, Jolinkomo, Mphankomo, Ngwanya, Qengeba) for my family, my friends (childhood, primary school, secondary school, high school, university, church in Queenstown, church in Cape Town, church in Johannesburg and others).

I am a product of many people’s efforts, many organisations and many institutions.

I am grateful to my Grade 1 teacher, the late Mrs Matutu, who made me feel special and planted a seed of greatness in me. I am thankful to my Grade 3 and 4 teachers, Mrs Feni and Mrs Vlyman, who instilled a spirit of excellence ngenduku in the most painful methods ever, lol. To my grade 5 teacher who was my uncle’s friend and my cricket coach, Mr Mawonga Twalo, an open-minded soul and a father figure to me, I extend my appreciation for making me a confident person. Now to Ms Mtiya, my athletics trainer and my Grade 7 teacher, thank you for standing by my side when I was accused of stealing a teacher’s R100, thank you for not shouting at me for lying about my age in athletics, lol, thank you for understanding me and tolerating my naughtiness. Mrs Mgole my Grade 6 teacher your sweetness really touched me.

The Love Life programme, Leadership South programme (LSP) and many camps I went to (Smith Amandla, Student Christian Organisation [SCO], LSP, South African Institute of Chartered Accountants [SAICA] and Thuthuka and many more), I am open-minded and understanding of people who come from all walks of life because of being exposed to them through such initiatives.

Mrs Bulelwa Futshane AKA Mother, the initiator of Hope and Faith in my life and my pastor and spiritual teacher, the late Mr Futshane AKA Father, my spiritual teacher and once was my care-giver; Ms Robertson, my mentor, confidant and Maths teacher; Maggie Rawley, my second mom, confidant and sponsor; Uncle Leon Cohen, my second uncle, adviser and sponsor; Rabie Property Group; Mazars; Ms Zanele Soloshe, my helper; Mrs Ann Werner, my career adviser; Mr Simon Banda, my sponsor and other father; Mr Xola Velelo, my uncle and inspiration; Ms Nicqui Bandini, my sponsor and inspiration; Prof. Stephen Jurisich, my mentor and lecturer; Metropolitan and Momentum, my sponsors; PPC and Ms Andrea Meyer, my sponsors; Mr Piet, my inspiration and sponsor and many other people who have touched and influenced me.

The following churches helped develop my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and empower me with His Holy Spirit: Apostolic Faith Mission, AKA Faith Mission, (in particular the New Life Assembly my church in Queenstown, where I got born again and got Baptised in Water and in the Holy Spirit and the Ormonde View Assembly in Johannesburg), Faith Mission (in Cape Town under Pastor Baloyi), God in Action (under Pastor Mehlo and Pastor Dukiso, where I fellowshipped for months), Hillsong Church Cape Town (my church), Rhema Ministries and Rhema On Campus (where I fellowship) and African Gospel Church of South Africa (where I fellowshipped for months in Cape Town).

If I were to name all my friends one-by-one I would not finish typing this, lol; they know themselves and how much I love them. “Thank you, guys!”

My late Aunt Skulz Zamajola Nonkuleko Velelo, my late uncle Bobo Bongani Velelo, my Aunt in Mossel-Bay Somie Velelo, my mother (technically my grandmother) and my mom Mrs Pumla Kam-Kam and my cousins, siblings, uncles and aunts and extended family, I say to you all “I love you with all my heart.”

My lover, whom I never had intimacy with, Nwabi, thank you for showing me that I can love passionately.

You all are "the wonders of my world', as Adele would sing.

I pray that you all be blessed in health and in prosperity.

May the late-ones rest in eternal peace.

-SNLV kaJolinkomo

(14 March 2014)