On this blog  I will dwell about the beliefs that changed my worldview.

Each culture has its unique ways about the views of the world and about life. Growing up as a young Xhosa woman, in my culture Respect is important. I was taught respect in  younger age by my parents and grandparents to value and respect every individual in a society whether they are old or young. Where I grew up, as a child it was a must to greet an elder whether you know him or her when you meet in the same road. In my culture it is believed that when you respect adults you will get more blessings. But ever since I moved to Johannesburg, it was rare to see or hear young people greet elders, I would be the one among my friends greeting people, and they ask why Am I greeting people I do not know and my respond will be " it does not matter whether I know the person or not but as I am the young one I have to greet first".

Respect for Ancestry wisdom.

Another belief that influenced my world view is my Ancestry wisdom, In my culture we respect, honor and believe in ancestors. From the forefathers, grandfathers, to parents to us the new generation, we are still holding into " Amasiko" which are the rituals performed by the family for different reasons. For example 'iMbeleko' which is done for the child after birth or maybe few months after birth. Again story telling about things that happened in the past, our grandparents are the ones who used to tell us the fairy tells.  It is important as an African to hold into your heritage and culture because both defines who you are and where you are going in life. 

Kinship refers to the interaction relationships that we have with other people within the society even in the family. It involves the connection of relationships between a family and it extends to a larger social groups such as a tribe or clan. Kinship have a important role in our lives in shaping a social organization.

Interactions with other people is important, it can be people within a family, neighbors and also friends. On my networks it incudes my  family of 7, My parents, aunt, 3 siblings and me. We always interact a lot when everyone is available, we chat about old times and share memories of childhood. It gets fun whenever I came over for holidays. Things changed when I moved into a new place, where I had to make new friends.  I made friends, whom we are always found laughing as if we have a laughing disorder. My networks now included friends as we always chill together on weekends. We watch movies, make videos and take photos. Whenever we do grocery we go together, we always cook together on our spare time. I am a clown among the friends as I become happy when I see people smile and laugh because of me.

Also My networks includes my res mates I stay with, as we are more than 60 at res. I sometimes socialize with them when I am the kitchen doing dishes, sometimes at the laundry. During  recess we host game night at res, where we watch movies and play games. They host games as some students are not able to go home as it is far. I lack socializing skills due to my social anxiety, as in class I do not interact with anyone, I always sit alone. I get panic attacks whenever I have to attend classes especially when I am alone. It is even hard for me meetup with my group members whenever there is a group assignment because I cant talk or socialize with people I  am not used to. 

My network also takes place in a taxi, as sometimes I sit with someone who is talkative, I also chat back and have fun.  Also when there is a ceremony I interact with many people whom I have years not seeing them. In family gatherings I get to meet new family members whom I do not know. Also the family from both sides, mothers side and fathers side come for  ceremony, depending which family did a ceremony. I catch up with my childhood friends and cousins. 

In sum up kinship is important as it shapes us as individuals, also interaction with other people is important.

Normally on Saturdays i wake up at 8am because there is no where i am going. First thing i do when i went wake I pray to God and thank my ancestors for being alive. Then i open my windows like listening to music, I also stare the trees as my room is facing long, big trees. After that, i brush my teeth then started cleaning. I did my laundry cause i bunked it for a very long time. After doing my chores i then prepared something to eat. 

by 13pm I started doing my school work till 18pm. My friends came to me as they wanted us to catch up. We went outside res, we chilled and watched soccer. We bought ices. We chilled till we went back to our rooms. I started to prepare to cook. I went to the kitchen  and cooked my favorite food, pap and chicken feet. After cooking I went to my room then I ate. I then watched movies, Then I felt  sleepy, wen to my bed and dozed off.