I am alive, I am well, I am happy. Gosh, I had to work so hard on how to stay happy. So whilst working on that I discovered that I can do it quite well. I focused on many other things, I worked out a strategy for myself. I discovered that I must do things and not just talk about it. So, now I know that I will be helping out in my community, I am really going to try and make a difference - starting now!

I will be starting something in my hometown and see how it works. It is time to give back. Hallelujah, praise be to God. Stop the attack on our youth!!!

digkuns

Staan doodstil
sak jou hand
kyk vir my
daar is gate
in my hande
'n doringkroon
op my hoof
ek dra nie
lang messe
dit het ek
hom beloof

Hierdie gesprek wil ek afneem
nie op band om dit te bind 
tot voltooid, volbring
maar ek wil met die druk 
van 'n knoppie die geheel vaslê
woorde langs mekaar intiem verbind
Ek wil die beeld teen my mure hang
en nooit vergeet hoe dit geklink het nie

The 8th of July 2013, time flies, a clichè but really how else can one describe it? Time does not stand still, time waits for no-one, indeed clichès but all confirming that time flies! University vac nearly over. I have not taken leave with the students. I am awaiting my chance. I am signing leave to go to the Polokwane Literature Festival. Wow, what a feast! I am looking forward to meet up with my counterparts from the North. I have not been there yet, heard quite a lot about how beautiful it is up there. Looking forward as well to meeting up with Gcina Hlophe, storyteller of note! And then we will be close to August, my month! My birthday on the 29th is a special one - thinking on how I can celebrate it - will be a cultural party, musicians, dancers, poets, storytellers but where? I know I will get a venue soon. Still very cold in Cape Town. today wearing my jacket. Air-conditioning does not work for me - it affects my skin - so I prefer to dress up warmly and do my work. One of my writers-friend Essie Tait died at the age of 74 - quite a shock, she died suddenly. Then a number of activists also dying, Jessica Fortuin, Jean Benjamin, Father John Oliver - I saw Father John Oliver at the McGregor Poetry Festival two weeks ago when he came to my performance! We talked afterwards, he was telling me about the petition against the destruction of the Princess Vlei Dam - the plan is to build a shopping mall there! I am outraged at the insensitivity of the City of Cape Town - it is a very valuable heritage site not too mention its importance for our fauna and flora! There is much to be unhappy about but so much more to be happy about. Be inspired my friends