[Applause] san bonanni I’m Charlie good evening
san bonanni I’m Charlie good evening
san bonanni I’m Charlie good evening hello hola Bonjour okay so like every
hello hola Bonjour okay so like every
hello hola Bonjour okay so like every other South African that stood up here
other South African that stood up here
other South African that stood up here on the stage and including our consider
on the stage and including our consider
on the stage and including our consider yourself a freaking now I’m gonna ask
yourself a freaking now I’m gonna ask
yourself a freaking now I’m gonna ask you I’m gonna be using a concept of
you I’m gonna be using a concept of
you I’m gonna be using a concept of telling you about a young man’s life who
telling you about a young man’s life who
telling you about a young man’s life who basically grew up in this very city of
basically grew up in this very city of
basically grew up in this very city of pietermaritzburg I’m also going to ask
pietermaritzburg I’m also going to ask
pietermaritzburg I’m also going to ask you to raise your hand when you relate
you to raise your hand when you relate
you to raise your hand when you relate to things in the story personally okay
to things in the story personally okay
to things in the story personally okay so a good example I’ll just start and
so a good example I’ll just start and
so a good example I’ll just start and taste you guys whoever you have got a
taste you guys whoever you have got a
taste you guys whoever you have got a heart
okay some didn’t lift their hand
okay some didn’t lift their hand sometimes okay so out there now my talk
sometimes okay so out there now my talk
sometimes okay so out there now my talk this evening is also based on the topic
this evening is also based on the topic
this evening is also based on the topic of immigration however I’m gonna be
of immigration however I’m gonna be
of immigration however I’m gonna be focusing on three main elements that I
focusing on three main elements that I
focusing on three main elements that I consider makeup a human being and this
consider makeup a human being and this
consider makeup a human being and this would be one’s body which is the
would be one’s body which is the
would be one’s body which is the physical parts that we see and they help
physical parts that we see and they help
physical parts that we see and they help us do things a practical our mind so
us do things a practical our mind so
us do things a practical our mind so what makes us do the things that we do
what makes us do the things that we do
what makes us do the things that we do and decide upon decisions that you make
and decide upon decisions that you make
and decide upon decisions that you make within our journey or our life as we
within our journey or our life as we
within our journey or our life as we here on earth and the last one is your
here on earth and the last one is your
here on earth and the last one is your soul so what is the core foundation of
soul so what is the core foundation of
soul so what is the core foundation of your being to the reason why your mind
your being to the reason why your mind
your being to the reason why your mind and your body does or acts and does
and your body does or acts and does
and your body does or acts and does things that you end up doing now the
things that you end up doing now the
things that you end up doing now the story starts back in the year 1987 if
story starts back in the year 1987 if
story starts back in the year 1987 if you look at those numbers going the
you look at those numbers going the
you look at those numbers going the other way it’s 1987 but in October in
other way it’s 1987 but in October in
other way it’s 1987 but in October in this very city where a young man was
this very city where a young man was
this very city where a young man was born in a community while gone to a
born in a community while gone to a
born in a community while gone to a community which is woodlands I don’t see
community which is woodlands I don’t see
community which is woodlands I don’t see any hands here so there’s on from
any hands here so there’s on from
any hands here so there’s on from woodlands and with that he grew up
woodlands and with that he grew up
woodlands and with that he grew up basically with first two years of his
basically with first two years of his
basically with first two years of his life under the watch of his grandparents
life under the watch of his grandparents
life under the watch of his grandparents without his parents day and if you think
without his parents day and if you think
without his parents day and if you think about this at the same time again South
about this at the same time again South
about this at the same time again South Africa and in Africa at large a lot of
Africa and in Africa at large a lot of
Africa and in Africa at large a lot of liberation stories were coming with
liberation stories were coming with
liberation stories were coming with different countries we are looking at
different countries we are looking at
different countries we are looking at passing colonial systems throughout the
passing colonial systems throughout the
passing colonial systems throughout the continent and so when I’m speaking to
continent and so when I’m speaking to
continent and so when I’m speaking to you as well with my story
you as well with my story
you as well with my story think about Africa at large and not only
think about Africa at large and not only
think about Africa at large and not only South Africa in 1990 the young man’s
South Africa in 1990 the young man’s
South Africa in 1990 the young man’s three years old his parents farm work in
three years old his parents farm work in
three years old his parents farm work in Johannesburg as many other people in
Johannesburg as many other people in
Johannesburg as many other people in South Africa Johannesburg being the
South Africa Johannesburg being the
South Africa Johannesburg being the economic hub and place that attracts
economic hub and place that attracts
economic hub and place that attracts many other young people to work there by
many other young people to work there by
many other young people to work there by 1994 which was a big turning point for
1994 which was a big turning point for
1994 which was a big turning point for South Africa but also for the region as
South Africa but also for the region as
South Africa but also for the region as many people looked at South Africa at
many people looked at South Africa at
many people looked at South Africa at that time as a huge good story to tell
that time as a huge good story to tell
that time as a huge good story to tell transformation and inclusivity not only
transformation and inclusivity not only
transformation and inclusivity not only around race groups but also religious
around race groups but also religious
around race groups but also religious groups as well and what I want you to
groups as well and what I want you to
groups as well and what I want you to think about is how there was a lot of
think about is how there was a lot of
think about is how there was a lot of politics around it but also personally
politics around it but also personally
politics around it but also personally many people’s lives correlated with
many people’s lives correlated with
many people’s lives correlated with exactly with the exact same feelings and
exactly with the exact same feelings and
exactly with the exact same feelings and emotions and decisions that were
emotions and decisions that were
emotions and decisions that were happening
happening
happening many people needed to be forcefully or
many people needed to be forcefully or
many people needed to be forcefully or projector included in their systems so
projector included in their systems so
projector included in their systems so people began to integrate through
people began to integrate through
people began to integrate through different schooling systems
different schooling systems
different schooling systems urban areas rural areas I’m gonna pause
urban areas rural areas I’m gonna pause
urban areas rural areas I’m gonna pause the story here and ask how many of you
the story here and ask how many of you
the story here and ask how many of you have ever lived in a place that you
have ever lived in a place that you
have ever lived in a place that you weren’t born in ok so you know that
weren’t born in ok so you know that
weren’t born in ok so you know that feeling of it’s a difference you’re
feeling of it’s a difference you’re
feeling of it’s a difference you’re learning stuff at the same time which
learning stuff at the same time which
learning stuff at the same time which we’ve heard from previous speakers yeah
we’ve heard from previous speakers yeah
we’ve heard from previous speakers yeah you feel insecure because you want to be
you feel insecure because you want to be
you feel insecure because you want to be accepted you want to be acknowledged and
accepted you want to be acknowledged and
accepted you want to be acknowledged and you want to be part of that same system
you want to be part of that same system
you want to be part of that same system back to the young man he’s 6 years old
back to the young man he’s 6 years old
back to the young man he’s 6 years old and he spends his first year of
and he spends his first year of
and he spends his first year of schooling right here in Merritt’s Berg
schooling right here in Merritt’s Berg
schooling right here in Merritt’s Berg and his granddad passes away his
and his granddad passes away his
and his granddad passes away his grandfather at the time remember he
grandfather at the time remember he
grandfather at the time remember he looks at him as a father figure because
looks at him as a father figure because
looks at him as a father figure because his parents are living in great and in
his parents are living in great and in
his parents are living in great and in the next year because of the changes and
the next year because of the changes and
the next year because of the changes and the financial stability and his great
the financial stability and his great
the financial stability and his great country look after him alone he ends up
country look after him alone he ends up
country look after him alone he ends up moving to an unknown space in
moving to an unknown space in
moving to an unknown space in Johannesburg with his two new adults and
Johannesburg with his two new adults and
Johannesburg with his two new adults and two new people that he has to look at as
two new people that he has to look at as
two new people that he has to look at as a mom and dad when he’s used to his
a mom and dad when he’s used to his
a mom and dad when he’s used to his grandparents as a mom and dad and alone
grandparents as a mom and dad and alone
grandparents as a mom and dad and alone that brings and holds us an aspect
that brings and holds us an aspect
that brings and holds us an aspect because he’s really used to what his
because he’s really used to what his
because he’s really used to what his grandparents taught him the way they do
grandparents taught him the way they do
grandparents taught him the way they do things and yet to change into the system
things and yet to change into the system
things and yet to change into the system water in Johannesburg what language do
water in Johannesburg what language do
water in Johannesburg what language do you think is mainly spoken Lee
so I’m sure it will be testament to high
so I’m sure it will be testament to high these stats
these stats
these stats it’s Afrikaans yes
it’s Afrikaans yes
it’s Afrikaans yes so Afrikaans
and so a six-year-old and if you think
and so a six-year-old and if you think about people as you grow up when we
about people as you grow up when we
about people as you grow up when we young kids and I want you to all do this
young kids and I want you to all do this
young kids and I want you to all do this now close your eyes and think back to
now close your eyes and think back to
now close your eyes and think back to when you were a kid what can you picture
when you were a kid what can you picture
when you were a kid what can you picture yourself back then and realizing that
yourself back then and realizing that
yourself back then and realizing that did you enjoy what did you enjoy and
did you enjoy what did you enjoy and
did you enjoy what did you enjoy and what didn’t enjoyed did you know the
what didn’t enjoyed did you know the
what didn’t enjoyed did you know the difference between good and bad did you
difference between good and bad did you
difference between good and bad did you know the difference between black and
know the difference between black and
know the difference between black and white did you know the difference
white did you know the difference
white did you know the difference between Christian and Muslim do you know
between Christian and Muslim do you know
between Christian and Muslim do you know the difference between wrong and right
okay you can open your eyes and that is
okay you can open your eyes and that is how this this young man got transformed
how this this young man got transformed
how this this young man got transformed and will fast track to the end of
and will fast track to the end of
and will fast track to the end of primary school was an average student
primary school was an average student
primary school was an average student went on to high school but then his
went on to high school but then his
went on to high school but then his parents got divorced
parents got divorced
parents got divorced due to the infidelity of his father and
due to the infidelity of his father and
due to the infidelity of his father and there were two children out of marriage
there were two children out of marriage
there were two children out of marriage and his children also happened to be
and his children also happened to be
and his children also happened to be from a foreign person from Swaziland so
from a foreign person from Swaziland so
from a foreign person from Swaziland so here comes the adapting of and I know
here comes the adapting of and I know
here comes the adapting of and I know reading your minds because I’ve said the
reading your minds because I’ve said the
reading your minds because I’ve said the area that this person was born in the
area that this person was born in the
area that this person was born in the city they from
city they from
city they from so you really have a perception of in
so you really have a perception of in
so you really have a perception of in your mind how this person looks and yeah
your mind how this person looks and yeah
your mind how this person looks and yeah they have to now learn to adapt to this
they have to now learn to adapt to this
they have to now learn to adapt to this new role that they play and because
new role that they play and because
new role that they play and because their mom suffered from schizophrenia
their mom suffered from schizophrenia
their mom suffered from schizophrenia what the divorce case they had to stay
what the divorce case they had to stay
what the divorce case they had to stay with their father so they were forced to
with their father so they were forced to
with their father so they were forced to adapt to the new family system with a
adapt to the new family system with a
adapt to the new family system with a person who’s not his mother as soon the
person who’s not his mother as soon the
person who’s not his mother as soon the death to two new sisters one being three
death to two new sisters one being three
death to two new sisters one being three and the other being one and learning
and the other being one and learning
and the other being one and learning another new language as well within this
another new language as well within this
another new language as well within this household and I’ll try again and adapt
household and I’ll try again and adapt
household and I’ll try again and adapt to those changes after that his father
to those changes after that his father
to those changes after that his father gets very ill
gets very ill
gets very ill and in 2003 if all of us were here
and in 2003 if all of us were here
and in 2003 if all of us were here answer that because that was the height
answer that because that was the height
answer that because that was the height of the HIV epidemic and there was a lot
of the HIV epidemic and there was a lot
of the HIV epidemic and there was a lot of stigma discrimination around it and
of stigma discrimination around it and
of stigma discrimination around it and in your minds I’m hoping that parallel
in your minds I’m hoping that parallel
in your minds I’m hoping that parallel you are flowing with the life of this
you are flowing with the life of this
you are flowing with the life of this young man and the life of our country
young man and the life of our country
young man and the life of our country and the life of our continent in the 90s
and the life of our continent in the 90s
and the life of our continent in the 90s Uganda South Africa Zimbabwe and
Uganda South Africa Zimbabwe and
Uganda South Africa Zimbabwe and Swaziland and the suti had the high
Swaziland and the suti had the high
Swaziland and the suti had the high strengths of HIV others countries today
strengths of HIV others countries today
strengths of HIV others countries today Uganda has totally turned that around
Uganda has totally turned that around
Uganda has totally turned that around and have a prevalence rate of a mere
and have a prevalence rate of a mere
and have a prevalence rate of a mere four percent well as he and South Africa
four percent well as he and South Africa
four percent well as he and South Africa haven’t really had much change what was
haven’t really had much change what was
haven’t really had much change what was what was everything that we have and the
what was everything that we have and the
what was everything that we have and the resources that we have give me one
resources that we have give me one
resources that we have give me one second I need water
second I need water
second I need water thank you now on this beautiful vast
thank you now on this beautiful vast
thank you now on this beautiful vast continent of ours there’s 1.2 billion
continent of ours there’s 1.2 billion
continent of ours there’s 1.2 billion people richest in resources we should
people richest in resources we should
people richest in resources we should all heard this rate trick but it seems
all heard this rate trick but it seems
all heard this rate trick but it seems that we cannot become using the
that we cannot become using the
that we cannot become using the channeling those resources to overcome
channeling those resources to overcome
channeling those resources to overcome such things of HIV tuberculosis malaria
such things of HIV tuberculosis malaria
such things of HIV tuberculosis malaria or fighting different statements and
or fighting different statements and
or fighting different statements and discriminations but back to the story
discriminations but back to the story
discriminations but back to the story the young man’s 15 years old and his
the young man’s 15 years old and his
the young man’s 15 years old and his father passes on but due to the stigma
father passes on but due to the stigma
father passes on but due to the stigma discrimination is not made away of the
discrimination is not made away of the
discrimination is not made away of the reasons why so of course it’s been
reasons why so of course it’s been
reasons why so of course it’s been covered up by pneumonia and nobody keeps
covered up by pneumonia and nobody keeps
covered up by pneumonia and nobody keeps it you know so all these opportunistic
it you know so all these opportunistic
it you know so all these opportunistic infections are to blame and it’s made
infections are to blame and it’s made
infections are to blame and it’s made seem normal but then this the gossip
seem normal but then this the gossip
seem normal but then this the gossip it’s the talk yet this person needs to
it’s the talk yet this person needs to
it’s the talk yet this person needs to be resilient and continue on their path
be resilient and continue on their path
be resilient and continue on their path and the story goes that that was
and the story goes that that was
and the story goes that that was probably one of the biggest sweating
probably one of the biggest sweating
probably one of the biggest sweating points in this young man’s life like for
points in this young man’s life like for
points in this young man’s life like for many and I don’t see hands here so I
many and I don’t see hands here so I
many and I don’t see hands here so I don’t think many of us affected or
don’t think many of us affected or
don’t think many of us affected or infected by HIV
infected by HIV
infected by HIV but you have to decide to take on this
but you have to decide to take on this
but you have to decide to take on this baggage and make it a negative part or
baggage and make it a negative part or
baggage and make it a negative part or channel it into a positive part you also
channel it into a positive part you also
channel it into a positive part you also have to make a decision now the lady who
have to make a decision now the lady who
have to make a decision now the lady who was his stepmom they didn’t really have
was his stepmom they didn’t really have
was his stepmom they didn’t really have a good relationship so he had to decide
a good relationship so he had to decide
a good relationship so he had to decide between as he returned to
between as he returned to
between as he returned to Pietermaritzburg and survived with his
Pietermaritzburg and survived with his
Pietermaritzburg and survived with his mom who was on a social grant due to a
mom who was on a social grant due to a
mom who was on a social grant due to a mental illness and live really just
mental illness and live really just
mental illness and live really just getting through stuff and let go of the
getting through stuff and let go of the
getting through stuff and let go of the life of attending a model C school and
life of attending a model C school and
life of attending a model C school and knowing the opportunities that he could
knowing the opportunities that he could
knowing the opportunities that he could be missing out on if he shall set out
be missing out on if he shall set out
be missing out on if he shall set out amazingly while that is going through
amazingly while that is going through
amazingly while that is going through the mind and souls of those around this
the mind and souls of those around this
the mind and souls of those around this person save him without him even knowing
person save him without him even knowing
person save him without him even knowing at that time his school offers him
at that time his school offers him
at that time his school offers him freeness to stay there he’s not a top
freeness to stay there he’s not a top
freeness to stay there he’s not a top performing person not a sporty person
performing person not a sporty person
performing person not a sporty person and says that you know what you can stay
and says that you know what you can stay
and says that you know what you can stay here and finish off your schooling after
here and finish off your schooling after
here and finish off your schooling after school he had to because forced to
school he had to because forced to
school he had to because forced to return back to me we came from him
return back to me we came from him
return back to me we came from him eriksberg
eriksberg
eriksberg and in that very year then he returned
and in that very year then he returned
and in that very year then he returned his mom passes away and from that he
his mom passes away and from that he
his mom passes away and from that he well there was also this guilt from what
well there was also this guilt from what
well there was also this guilt from what I understand I’m feeling as if I should
I understand I’m feeling as if I should
I understand I’m feeling as if I should have moved three years ago after his
have moved three years ago after his
have moved three years ago after his father passed away now I wanted to
father passed away now I wanted to
father passed away now I wanted to compare that to South Africa we heard
compare that to South Africa we heard
compare that to South Africa we heard about the euphoria and the rainbow
about the euphoria and the rainbow
about the euphoria and the rainbow nation in the early 90s we’re going
nation in the early 90s we’re going
nation in the early 90s we’re going through many divorces on our political
through many divorces on our political
through many divorces on our political landscape and we sort of try to pass
landscape and we sort of try to pass
landscape and we sort of try to pass things and keep them together and even
things and keep them together and even
things and keep them together and even on the African continent if we look at
on the African continent if we look at
on the African continent if we look at the case that happened in Sandton with
the case that happened in Sandton with
the case that happened in Sandton with one of our leaders first ladies you know
one of our leaders first ladies you know
one of our leaders first ladies you know and so these relationships
and so these relationships
and so these relationships they sell sensitive when they do affect
they sell sensitive when they do affect
they sell sensitive when they do affect us not only as individuals for us as a
us not only as individuals for us as a
us not only as individuals for us as a community and society as a country and
community and society as a country and
community and society as a country and as a continent and that young man is me
as a continent and that young man is me
as a continent and that young man is me I know me never like I knew it I don’t
I know me never like I knew it I don’t
I know me never like I knew it I don’t know why it took us on that journey
and I’m gonna tell you the pot after
and I’m gonna tell you the pot after that and the reason why I think I’m here
that and the reason why I think I’m here
that and the reason why I think I’m here today I’m not a I’m not a degree
today I’m not a I’m not a degree
today I’m not a I’m not a degree graduate a lot of Nonna’s graduates not
graduate a lot of Nonna’s graduates not
graduate a lot of Nonna’s graduates not a master strength I don’t have all these
a master strength I don’t have all these
a master strength I don’t have all these academic approvals but yet I constantly
academic approvals but yet I constantly
academic approvals but yet I constantly find myself being chosen or selected to
find myself being chosen or selected to
find myself being chosen or selected to speak to people like yourselves on
speak to people like yourselves on
speak to people like yourselves on stages like this and when I was given
stages like this and when I was given
stages like this and when I was given this opportunity by the team I was
this opportunity by the team I was
this opportunity by the team I was really humbled but also confused because
really humbled but also confused because
really humbled but also confused because I was like and I looked at the other
I was like and I looked at the other
I was like and I looked at the other people speaking and us like this is way
people speaking and us like this is way
people speaking and us like this is way out of my league but okay
out of my league but okay
out of my league but okay if you if you think I should be gonna be
if you if you think I should be gonna be
if you if you think I should be gonna be here and I also think I’m not going to
here and I also think I’m not going to
here and I also think I’m not going to use these two topics that were very the
use these two topics that were very the
use these two topics that were very the one is very scientific and the other I
one is very scientific and the other I
one is very scientific and the other I could sort of adapt I thought you know
could sort of adapt I thought you know
could sort of adapt I thought you know what I’ve had to emigrate so many times
what I’ve had to emigrate so many times
what I’ve had to emigrate so many times over and over again and that’s the story
over and over again and that’s the story
over and over again and that’s the story and all of us sitting in this room have
and all of us sitting in this room have
and all of us sitting in this room have gone through those immigration processes
gone through those immigration processes
gone through those immigration processes and I believe that the the more
and I believe that the the more
and I believe that the the more challenging your immigration process is
challenging your immigration process is
challenging your immigration process is the better you will come out because
the better you will come out because
the better you will come out because you’ll know the struggles that the most
you’ll know the struggles that the most
you’ll know the struggles that the most difficult and the most downtrodden and
difficult and the most downtrodden and
difficult and the most downtrodden and most vulnerable and most marginalized
most vulnerable and most marginalized
most vulnerable and most marginalized individuals go through so that you can
individuals go through so that you can
individuals go through so that you can have empathy and you have and you come
have empathy and you have and you come
have empathy and you have and you come in with a reference of understanding
in with a reference of understanding
in with a reference of understanding rather than and orally for John said
rather than and orally for John said
rather than and orally for John said like of misconceptions and judgments and
like of misconceptions and judgments and
like of misconceptions and judgments and both everybody into saying all know
both everybody into saying all know
both everybody into saying all know which one to use because people might be
which one to use because people might be
which one to use because people might be offended but they said all gay people
offended but they said all gay people
offended but they said all gay people fit in this box why is this person not
fit in this box why is this person not
fit in this box why is this person not in that box and it’s confusing yeah I am
in that box and it’s confusing yeah I am
in that box and it’s confusing yeah I am a gay man just to clarify
a gay man just to clarify
a gay man just to clarify [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] and
but I don’t allow such things to define
but I don’t allow such things to define who I am because we each are individuals
who I am because we each are individuals
who I am because we each are individuals and we have the room and I also believe
and we have the room and I also believe
and we have the room and I also believe that I’m so holistic and inclusive and
that I’m so holistic and inclusive and
that I’m so holistic and inclusive and that’s why I put in my brief that I want
that’s why I put in my brief that I want
that’s why I put in my brief that I want you to use them and African counter
you to use them and African counter
you to use them and African counter intuitive lanes and if you look at
intuitive lanes and if you look at
intuitive lanes and if you look at counter intuition those of us who drive
counter intuition those of us who drive
counter intuition those of us who drive when you get to the Marion Hill Plaza on
when you get to the Marion Hill Plaza on
when you get to the Marion Hill Plaza on a very busy afternoon which line do you
a very busy afternoon which line do you
a very busy afternoon which line do you go behind the line of the trucks or the
go behind the line of the trucks or the
go behind the line of the trucks or the line of the cause so the people with
line of the cause so the people with
line of the cause so the people with trucks are smart here because actually
trucks are smart here because actually
trucks are smart here because actually that truck cue goes much quicker because
that truck cue goes much quicker because
that truck cue goes much quicker because there’s like ten trucks that are
there’s like ten trucks that are
there’s like ten trucks that are equivalent to 20 30 cars so it goes much
equivalent to 20 30 cars so it goes much
equivalent to 20 30 cars so it goes much quicker so well then and that’s what I’m
quicker so well then and that’s what I’m
quicker so well then and that’s what I’m talking about
talking about
talking about stop questioning how you in your space
stop questioning how you in your space
stop questioning how you in your space and with your actions and your thoughts
and with your actions and your thoughts
and with your actions and your thoughts react to the outside so my question I
react to the outside so my question I
react to the outside so my question I will leave you with is how are you
will leave you with is how are you
will leave you with is how are you immigrating other people into your space
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
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