This is the last of the “Graduation Day” celebration trilogy ππ. The first Graduation Day celebrations were at the university, where I was crowned with my doctorate. The second Graduation Day celebrations were at he reception venue at Casa Labia. This is the final celebrations which took place in my hometown, Nelson Mandela Bay. The city used to be called Port Elizabeth when I was growing up. All the celebrations took place in Kwazakhele, which is the township I grew up in. I was in charge of all the celebrations in Cape Town, and my mother was in charge of the hometown celebrations. So I only had to arrive and enjoy the festivities. Of course, there were some last minute details needing attention.
For the celebrations at home, I wanted something closer to who I am, and closer to my cultural roots. I even told my mother that the celebrations were a “Thank You” to her, my larger family, and my ancestors, and I wanted there to be traditional beer. My mother brewed the beer, but I assisted with it when I arrived as it was still in production.
The celebrations at home were truly special for me and my family. We were celebrating the long journey to receiving a doctorate. But also, we were celebrating being resilient, we were celebrating people who came before me who made this possible, and that my ancestors kept me safe throughout all my travels, and studying abroad.
It was also a moment to celebrate with people who knew me when I was born, people I went to school with, people who were there when I finished high school, people I met at university, and people who were there when I went abroad for the first time.
Many of the things that I have done, like travelling, studying abroad, moving to Cape Town, and having an academic career, were faraway dreams when I was growing up in Kwazakhele. I was a big dreamer. As a queer kid growing, there was little else to do in Kwazakhele, so I buried myself in magazines, books, and Sex And The City episodes. In many ways, those are the things that made me, in that they made me interested in the world outside of Port Elizabeth. Interestingly, I always knew there was a bigger world out there, and I yearned for it. I think that’s what being different does, it enables imagination. Often, when you are different, you wonder, actually, you wish, for another world, another place, where you could possibly find affirmation and community. Through the magazines, the books, and Sex And The City, I knew there had to be a somewhere I could find familiar souls.
So, in many ways, my celebrations at home was me coming full circle. I had been to many places, and may even found other places to call home, but it was time to go to my “original” home. Apho inkabi yam yawela khona.
Also, in many ways, the celebrations were a beacon of hope to other young people, that they also, with perseverance, could push and try to reach for their dreams. That young people can see that, one can grow up in Kwazakhele and then go and get a doctorate. I hope young people in my hometown understand that how you grow up, your circumstances, they do not have to be your destiny.
It has been an emotional journey, so the celebrations, as you can imagine, were also filled with high emotions. and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Enjoy the final Graduation Day celebrations that took place in my hometown.
