I had a few complaints about the article I wrote last week – “Sick and Tired of Kwale”.
I explained how I had grown up on the Flats listening to people complain about everything that’s wrong with them and how it sounded to me like they were almost proud of it.
I mentioned how it sometimes felt like a competition to see who has more kwale and who takes more tablets.
I also went into detail about a conversation I overheard at a clinic between a few aunties comparing their various medical issues.
With tongue in cheek, I was remembering how we used to tease our aunties.
And then when they get up and hit the dance floor at a cousin’s wedding, someone will comment “watch, môre speel die gout weer op,” at which we all giggle.
Perhaps I was a bit exclusionary as some may not understand the dark humour involved.
I also attempted to steer people away from the unhealthy lifestyles and to try getting fit and eating better.
One writer informed me my article was unhelpful and instead “it incites hurt, anger and degradation”.
He went on to say that “…it violates the constitutional rights of the society I aim to serve”.
Now I’m not so sure about that!
I believe in finding common ground and I’m also very aware of the wonderful things that make us different from each other.
And often those things, also known as stereotypes, are best used to make a point.
But I’m also the first to apologise if my piece was misunderstood or caused offence.