Township Living Two


"I man dwelling in Mdantsane this evening of the 23rd of June, 1998. Mdanstane is outside of East London, it's the second largest township [in South Afrika.] Today has been a day of blessings and Jah guidance. I man move forward from University of Fort Hare... From there to King, from there to East London. I moved forward in those times and sighted a brother named Asher [in East London] that I had met before, and had been meaning to get a hold of. Spoke with the man for some time, several hours sat on the street with him. Eventually another brother Levi came up and InI reasoned for some time. Eventually they asked me if I wanted to come stay in Mdantsane. I was in meditation... We were sitting under an awning over the street. From there decided to move forward to Mdantsane, which we did this evening. We stay in, what they would call a "ghetto," which would be like you call, I don't know something you make out of corrugated tin in Mdantsane.
Right now I'm standing on a hilltop, I can see lights all around me, to my right, to my left in a big "U." To the center of the U is zone 16. To my left is zone 17. The man Levi controls a ghetto here in zone 17 of Mdantsane. It's been a real irie night, it's been real heavy you know, good vibes. I'll take some time in the forward movements to reflect on these times, but for now, in the night, in the moment, Jah works you know, Jah Praise. Give thanks. A long way from home, and still I roam, but Jah is here at my side. One love…"

Another journal entry from the morning of Wednesday, June 24th... "Sitting here at the "ghetto" of Levi in Mdantsane, near East London, South Afrika. I met up with a brother Asher yesterday in East London, who sells different goods on the street. InI spoke for some time, then Levi came up and reasoned for a bit. Then Levi eventually offered to let me rest with him in Mdantsane, so Jah guide, I moved this way. We came home after spending some time at the taxi rank looking for another brother. Once here, we hooked up the ital foods, then reasoned into the night. It was irie. I'm not feeling so far away here. What is that thing called culture shock? I am going to go to Port Saint John's later today, but I still have to figure out how I'm going to forward that way. Right now, I got up at nine, we talked about some runnings among the brothers and now we're getting some itals ready."