The Prelude

A few months back, last August to be precise (a month before my 22nd year birthday),  a ‘good’ friend of mine asked me what I’d like as a gift, mind you that was at first. As a result I didn’t know what to say. Well not that I didn’t know what I wanted as a gift, but the question here was; do I tell them I want an iPad? I mean just because they offered me an opportunity to tell them what I wanted as a gift, it did not necessarily mean that all of a sadden they have millions.

Still, how do I know if they have a million or not? Think about it, how many times have you had a friend ask you what you’d love for your birthday? Very much seldom you will agree. However, just because we don’t know how much money they have at the time of offer, do we then base our choice of gift based on who they are and what we believe they can afford? A bit perplex if ask me. Well, amongst other choices I opted that they get me a book – Conversations with Myself, an autobiography written by the former state president, Nelson Mandela. Don’t get it twisted as yet; I’m nothing of an avid reader or anything. However, the choice was inspired by what I was contemplating; writing an autobiography. Mystifying I know, nevertheless, let us not dwell much on why at my age I was even thinking of an autobiography. Even worse some of you are reading this and thinking “have you lost your mind or something?” No I haven’t actually, well, not that I know why I was even thinking of writing an autobiography. A call for mind examination isn’t it? By now you are probably going through your contact list for your nearest psychiatrist or something. Well, not just yet, I tell you. Mind you, the emphasis is here it’s actually not the choice of gift I opted for. However, the day I received the gift, which was on the 11th February, 2012. I am not into numbers myself, but if you do the math, you will notice that this ‘good’ friend of mine took at least 6 months to get me the gift.

So much of a good friend, aren’t they? Ironically, if you know your South African history, you will quickly recall that 11 February is actually Mandela’s release date from prison, marking this years’ (11 February 2012) the 22nd anniversary after he was set a freeman. His release comes after serving a tough 27 years imprisonment.

Well let us not dwell much into that for now, shifting focus back to my friend, question for discussion would be, do you find this friend of mine to be a good or not so good friend? Bear in mind my birthday was on the 7th of September, and I am only receiving the gift 6 months later. Still, the day I receive the gift is somewhat in relation to the gift, but was it even intentionally? Nevertheless, put aside the fact that I am not an avid reader, upon receiving the gift I begin to read with an attempt to review the book. Hence I title this note, the prelude, as I begin a journey of a different route. This is to a new life, and new beginnings.