My Adventure in South Africa: Rain Queen

Modjadji or Rain Queen is the queen of the people in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Living in an area surrounded by giant cycad, the Rain Queen is believed to have special powers, including the ability to control clouds and rainfall. The Queen is known to be highly respected in South African culture, and received visits from Nelson Mandela.

The Queens' eldest daughter is always her successor (matrilineal), therefore the title of Rain Queen is always passed from mother to daughter. Makobo, the last reining Rain Queen died 12 June 2005, from what was rumoured to be an AIDS related illness, her heir has not yet been chosen as the Queens' only daughter was fathered by a commoner. Therefore there are concerns that the 400 year old dynasty of the Rain Queen may have come to an end.

I know a place in Africa..........

I know a place in Africa
Where I can feel the sun on my back
And the sand between my barefoot toes
Where I can hear the gulls on the breeze
And the waves crash on the endless shore

I know a place in Africa
Where the mountains touch the skies of blue
And the valleys shelter vines of green
Where the trees spread out a cloth of mauve
And the bushveld wears a coat of beige

I know a place in Africa
Where I can hear the voice of thunder gods
And watch their lightning spears thrown to earth
Where I can breathe the scent of rain clouds
And taste the sweet dew of dusty drops

This is the place of wildness
Of evolution and dinosaurs
Where life began and mankind first stood
Of living fossils and elephants
Where lions roar and springbok herds leap

This is the place of struggle
Of desert plains and thorn trees
Where pathways end and hunters track game
Of horizons and frontiers
Where journeys start and sunsets bleed red

This is the place of freedom
Of exploration and pioneers
Where darkness loomed and light saw us through
Of living legends and miracles
Where daybreak came and hope now shines bright

My heart is at home in Africa
Where the sound of drums beat in my chest
And the songs of time ring in my ears
Where the rainbow mist glows in my eyes
And the smiles of friends make me welcome

My mind is at ease in Africa
Where the people still live close to the soil
And the seasons mark my changing moods
Where the markets hustle with trading
And Creation keeps its own slow time

My soul is at peace in Africa
For her streams bring lifeblood to my veins
And her winds bring healing to my dreams
For when the tale of this land is told
Her destiny and mine are as one

Wayne Visser

Best foot forward

seek excitement,
seek enlightenment,
seek adventure,
find your big big love,
love,
don't forget to stay curious,
but always be cautious,
learn from the past,
but always go forwards,
know that the majority is not always right
and nor are you.
chase greatness,
and know sometimes that means sacrifice.
know when to fight and when to run,
stand for what you believe in,
never walk over the beliefs of others,
march boldly into love,
but tread lightly with the heart of others.
try to be kind,
try to be happy,
try to leave a legacy when you're gone,
and remember it's the choices you make today
that shape your tomorrow,
so put your best foot forward.

My Adventure in South Africa

Rain Queen

I know a place in Africa..........

Best foot forward

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