Blog The Week Sobonfu was here

Subscribe to our Blog

rss_logo

Enter your email address to receive email updates directly into your inbox:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Friend's Connect


Events Calendar

<<  September 2010  >>
 Mo  Tu  We  Th  Fr  Sa  Su 
    1  2  4
  6  8  9101112
13141516171819
202122242526
27282930   

The Week Sobonfu was here

What a great way to start our first week at Novalis Ubuntu! As I mentioned in my last blog, Sobonfu Some's second visit to Cape Town proved to be more than we ever imagined. From her visits to our care homes through the workshops and rituals we held at the Institute, her wonderful presence calmed and healed all those who came into contact with her. As for myself, I only wished I had spent more time with her, with so much going on it was hard to keep up with her pace!

Sobonfu's visit began with a warm welcoming at Novalis Ubuntu where, with Robin Goff with other volunteer members of the Light Center and our friendly staff, she dedicated a whole afternoon to meeting with us and sharing her insights in support of the challenges we are currently facing in the lack of funding for our current programs. Then off she went to a tight schedule as she visited the Thembaletu Center, Siyaphambile Orphan Village, Baphumalele Orphan Village, St. Francis Care Center, St. Georges Care Home, Bonnytoun and even the ANC's Veterans League in Khayelitsha! Everywhere she went she was greeted with love and appreciation as she shared her African wisdom and teachings with the recipients of our outreach programs.

Sobonfu at WorkAs the weekend neared, we held three events at the Institute, all of which I had the privilege to attend. On Thursday she was a special guest at the Spiritual Movie Circle's screening of "For the Next 7 Generations", a film about 13 grandmothers from different indigenous tribes through out the world who are advocating a return to living in harmony with nature. Sobonfu mentioned how she had met the grandmothers and how being around them had inspired her so much. For all of us who were there, the evening was very uplifting. Most grandmothers in our societies are somewhere in a nursing home, whereas these grandmas, or Go Go's as we call them here in South Africa, are still rocking the boat and inspiring the world.

Then on Friday evening Sobonfu shared with us about what its like to "Awaken the Spirit of Ubuntu" inside each of us. Or in another words, how to awaken the Spirit of Oneness in each of us. She mentioned how we can only achieve this by having and being part of a community where we can share the gifts we came to give to the world. Powerful stuff!

Sobonfu with Workshop ParticipantsHer last event was Saturday morning when she facilitated an "Introduction to the Grief Ritual" workshop. There were 21 of us in the room, and we not only experienced a part of this ritual as taught and performed by Sobonfu's tribe, the Dagaras, but also had a chance to learn how to create a safe space where, either by ourselves or as a community, we can mourn for the things we have lost. "We all have something to mourn" said Sobonfu. The moment of clarity came for me when Sobonfu spoke about how the different ways in which griefs manifests in our societies in the forms of disease and disconfort when not properly expressed, and how allowing a space for regular grieving would help the entire community, even those who were not there. As she said "In a community, we are always connected, whether we want it or not." I'm looking forward with anticipation to Sobonfu's next visit to Cape Town, and deeply grateful for the opportunity to have spent time with this great teacher who went out of her way to spend time with us, and remind us the essence of who we truly are.

muntu ngumuntu ngabantu... a person is a person through other persons... that is Ubuntu!

 

Written on Thursday, 28 January 2010 15:58 byGabriel Gonsalves

Viewed 365 times so far.

Like this? Tweet it to your followers!
 
Rate this article
(0 votes)
 

Latest articles from Gabriel Gonsalves

  • Ubuntu, I Am posted on Thursday, 29 July 2010 11:49

    While attending the Ubuntu Sympsioum held last week in Cape Town, wonderfully organized by the South African Ubuntu Foundation, I had a brief moment of…

  • Celebrating Bongolethu's New School with the HA!Man posted on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 11:13

    After 20 years of waiting, Bongolethu Primary School has something big to celebrate: their BRAND NEW school!  We joined their celebration and together with HA!Man…

  • Tibor's 9 Minutes posted on Tuesday, 16 March 2010 11:02

    Last week we had the privilege of hosting a very special man from Hungary on his first visit to South Africa.  His name: Tibor Putnoki.  …

  • Volunteer Spotlight: Dillon Zavala posted on Thursday, 04 March 2010 08:30

    Meet Dillon Zavala.  This brave 18 year old from Austin Texas,  is currently living in Riviersondered for 6 months with the intention of doing HIV…

  • Looking for volunteers to help our front entrace get a face lift posted on Thursday, 04 February 2010 09:42

    Starting this month of February, a group of volunteers and community members of the Institute will be donating their time and skills to support us…

Latest 'tweets' from Novalis Ubuntu Inst.

  • Thank you to all the Agape volunteers that helped make yesterday's Ubuntu Day a success! You could feel the Love everywhere! THANK YOU! Link Sunday, 20 June 2010 01:07
  • First Ubuntu Day Fun Raiser this Saturday, benefiting the renovation of the Novalis Ubuntu Centre. Here's your invite: http://ow.ly/1YdkC Link Monday, 14 June 2010 09:47
  • Here's the latest Novalis Ubuntu epollen! Very cool upcoming events. Check it out at http://ow.ly/1Vayi Link Monday, 07 June 2010 11:50
  • Read the latest Novalis Ubuntu newsletter, filled with awesome upcoming events... http://bit.ly/cI7mJm Link Tuesday, 30 March 2010 05:15
  • going to dinner with TEDx organizers from the US and Cape Town. Remember, first TEDxWesternCape is tomorrow thursday! http://bit.ly/ch7Pch Link Wednesday, 24 March 2010 10:09
 
blog comments powered by Disqus

e-Community Sponsors & Partners Community Resources Venue Hire

Newsletter Sign-up

*

*



Request a Catalogue

Request a Catalogue

Latest Tweet

Socialize with us...

FaceBook_128x128 blogger-icon

Sponsors and Partners

Sofia Foundation Forum Syd The Light Center

Cafe Geneve

Permaculture Nursery


Bookstore

bookstore

Library

library

Venue Hire

VenueHire-SmallLooking for a venue for your upcoming conference, workshop, or event? A Well known Landmark in Wynberg/Kenilworth area for its unusual dome shape design, The Novalis Ubuntu Institute is a unique venue. Incorporating a live art/music/cinema venue, conference rooms, bookshop and cafe bar, the Institute is a dynamic and versatile location suitable for a variety of events including conferences, classes, exhibitions, talks, workshops or other educational, musical, spiritual and creative events.  (Read More)

support-our-mission

This site is 100% Green, find out how yours can be too!