I won’t sit here and attempt to write about your virtues. I wouldn’t wish that task on anyone. Because even the most skilled writer is going to struggle. The words don’t seem to do you justice really.
I was too young. I didn’t understand the enormity of what we were going through back then. I remember people being scared. And confused.
I remember this man.
You.
This ray of hope.
You were going to lead us down this road. And we were going to follow you.
Like the smell of SPF20, Timothy Traddle and Mnet Open Time. You really were a part of me growing up. You’re tightly woven into the heartbeat of my South Africa. It wouldn’t make sense without you. I mean, the soccer World Cup only felt real once you showed up.
You know… there’s not a heart in this country that you haven’t touched.
I like knowing you’re around.
Like a grandfather, sitting on the stoep. Keeping an eye on all us unruly, neighbourhood kids. Smiling when we get on. Worrying when we fall and scrape our hands and quietly scolding us when we trip each other up.
I know you won’t see this. And I know it doesn’t really matter what some 23 year old girl in Cape Town thinks. I know you don’t need my approval. You don’t need me to say well done. You’ve done us proud. You deserve a break and you’ve done all that we asked and more.
It’s just that I sat in my car yesterday and heard you’re in hospital. I know it’s just routine tests. But my heart dropped. I told my friend that I’d cry buckets if something happened. She said she would as well. We’re softies this way.
Although when it comes to you. I think everyone’s just a giant marshmallow inside.
And maybe this post is a bit silly. But I realised that I had to ask.
I have one more favour Madiba.
Yes. It’s a selfish one.
But I want my grand-kids to see you. I don’t want to have to try and explain all that you are and all that you mean to us, out of the pages of some history book.
I’d actually just like it, if you could live forever.
Robs
Mother City Blogger. By day: Mobile Brand Specialist. By dreams: Actress. Gets Hiccups. Loves bad puns. Hates spiders. Understands Offside Rule. Will own an R8. Queen of the Typo.
Copyright 2011. All writings are property of the Hobson. Please ask first :) kthxbai
35 Comments
Captain Awesome
Well said. That is all.
27 Jan 2011 09:01 am
Koek!
Heartfelt – nearly had me in tears x
27 Jan 2011 09:01 am
Kru
It’s not just what one 23 year old girl in Cape Town is thinking.
Great post. If he ever reads it, he’d be touched.
x
27 Jan 2011 09:01 am
Tweets that mention Hey | The scribblings of Robs — Topsy.com
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Neal T, amazingspacesza, Daniel Mager, David Dooley, WP Jou Lekker Ding and others. WP Jou Lekker Ding said: Got recommended to read something called a "blog" written by @robynhobson. Fantastically written. http://bit.ly/gYonem [...]
Delre
This is exactly how I feel. I too had to hold back tears at the possibility of something happening…
I’m not ready to lose him yet.
27 Jan 2011 10:01 am
Colyn Truter
Wow great piece, well done…really wish politicians and others will get to read this!!!
27 Jan 2011 10:01 am
Briony Coetsee
Beautiful! You speak for so many of us! Always proudly South African!!
27 Jan 2011 01:01 pm
Cath
Last night I phoned my sister in the UK to tell her. We both wept as we spoke. The truth is that he had more to do with me growing up than I can ever truly recognise. His poster on our lounge wall for most of my childhood. I wish he could know the influence he has in my heart. I wish him rest, I wish him well. I wish he could just go on forever. X
27 Jan 2011 01:01 pm
Siphokazi
Well done Rob, you just made me cry at work.
27 Jan 2011 01:01 pm
Jonathan Duguid
Love this daaarling!
Sincere and heartfelt! -Don’t think I could’ve done any better!
xx
27 Jan 2011 02:01 pm
Jacs
Tears. Beautiful Robs.
27 Jan 2011 02:01 pm
Snowgoose
You took the thoughts right out of my head – I’ll cry buckets with you and the rest of the world if anything happens to him.
Well written Robs
27 Jan 2011 03:01 pm
Dylan
WOW! I am floored. I am a writer and you are right… and you are brilliant!
Thank you for sharing.
D
27 Jan 2011 03:01 pm
metaMeerkat
Thank you.
27 Jan 2011 03:01 pm
Cathy
Giant lump in throat. Deep breath. Thank you for your words…
South Africa only has one heartbeat. And it is Madiba. But never forget that he has equipped us all well to continue long after his body is no longer with us. He expects it of us.
To not carry his message of compassion and strength to the next generation and the one after that, would be letting him – and his enormous legacy – down.
That is the gift we give back to him. Or so i hope.
27 Jan 2011 03:01 pm
Krys
Lump. In. Throat.
It’s amazing to reflect and think, really think hard about what he means to us as a country. As a nation. And I too wish he could live on forever.
X
27 Jan 2011 03:01 pm
Debbie
Gulp….I’m just not ready to let Madiba go yet. And I don’t think the country is either. But he’s done everything he can and more…and I’m sure he is just so tired now – he’s carried us all for so long.
So Madiba, if you are ready to move on, I’ll let you go. I just hope that right now you are comfortable, at peace and surrounded by love.
Robyn, thank you for your lovely words.
27 Jan 2011 05:01 pm
Thami Tulo
well said, i sincerely hope he pulls thru, just can’t picture him succumbing now, he’s been with us for so long, we need him, we love him. He’s been the pillar of this country for so long and a symbol of unity, love, respect and forgiveness. Should it be time for him, we will weep but we vow to keep his legacy alive for generations to come.
27 Jan 2011 06:01 pm
Amymaybe
that was warm. thank you. he will read it, i’m sure.
x
27 Jan 2011 06:01 pm
Nico Conradie
Brilliant, Robs. Excellently written and expressing the thoughts of many.
27 Jan 2011 06:01 pm
Greg Priday
It’s wonderful to think that no matter what happens to his physical body, Madiba’s spirit is immortalized in the hearts and minds of all South Africans. In the stories we’ll tell our children and our grand-children. “This is the man who brought our country together.”
And when he decides his job is done, and it’s time to leave us… every South African will line the streets, hold hands and cry. I think he’ll be happy with that legacy unity.
Beautiful post Robyn. If Madiba reads it, I’m sure he’ll decide to live forever.
27 Jan 2011 07:01 pm
Tiffany
beautiful – i have no words … phew!
27 Jan 2011 08:01 pm
Hans Lutz Oppermann
The soul of South Africa, so sensitive, my eyes are moist. This great spirit will live forever. I pray for South Africa.
27 Jan 2011 09:01 pm
dee
wow…written from the soul.
he is an enlightend being
28 Jan 2011 04:01 am
Cands
You’ve put into words the feelings of a nation. Thank you for saying what I couldn’t.
28 Jan 2011 06:01 am
Bee
Love love love.
28 Jan 2011 07:01 am
Stacey
WOW!!!! You brought tears to my eyes girl…this really tugged on my heart strings. Good job xoxox
28 Jan 2011 07:01 am
Tarryn
Thank you for this. I feel exactly the same way (and cried yesterday too). I wish he could live forever, but I think if we could all keep his spirit alive in us, it would be almost as good. And I think that’s what he would want.
28 Jan 2011 09:01 am
Robyn Hobson
I can’t believe the reaction to this. I did not expect this. Overwhelmed. Here. On twitter. On Facebook. Really shows just how deep the love for him runs.
And I’m sorry if it caused you to cry. I had to stop logging onto twitter eventually.. everytime I signed in people were telling me I had made them cry at the office
But I know they were good tears.
I can’t explain how glad I am that you took something from this and that it meant something to so many.
Words seem pretty redundant right now.
But thank you.
28 Jan 2011 10:01 am
SlickTiger
This is an exceptional post, wow. I don’t think you could have captured the sentiments of a nation any better. Thank you for this piece, it’s one of the most honest and heartfelt posts I’ve read in a long time.
-ST
28 Jan 2011 10:01 am
Anon
I read this to my class of 15-16 year old British secondary school students today. They are studying South Africa and learning to evaluate Nelson Mandela’s role in bringing peace. They are a noisy group, many of whom are from difficult backgrounds and have not been far from the city they were born. I have really struggled both with behaviour and making them understand that this is important and relevant to them. Until this post. Simply written and relatable, they were silent and touched. Thank you.
28 Jan 2011 05:01 pm
Kevin Smuts
I am proud to say that I know you Robs. This is an absolutely amazing post. What a man…what a legend.
29 Jan 2011 11:01 am
Corlene
Wow! You brought me to tears! Well-written!
31 Jan 2011 08:01 am
Merle
So beautifully written. We would like to share this with the parents who read our blog. Would you mind if we posted it with a link to your blog?
03 Feb 2011 07:02 am
Why are you still allowed to speak in public? « Small Town Local… in the Mother City
[...] – the best way to express the way I feel about Madiba is probably through this blog post by Robyn Hobson – that is exactly the way I feel and why I have become so upset by what Malema has [...]
Leave a Comment