I don’t
know about you, but when restlessness strikes I tend to blab a lot about almost
anything, just for the sake of filling the silence in my mind. Such was the
case once upon the 18th of July 2012.
“Maybe
I should give out free hugs”, I said in the presence of friends who I’d figured
weren’t listening. “A lot of faces here are in need of hugs”, I continued
presumably to myself, as I paced between the benches outside the Fish &
chip shop. These sentiments were spurred by the disappointment that was gnawing
away at me for not having risen to the occasion that was Nelson Mandela day.
My “You’re
such a bad good doer” pity party was promptly shattered when I heard,“I dare
you!” Three words that too often get the better of me.
In the
split second that – my not so darling friend- Zakithi spoke those words, my
sensibilities fumbled about in search of the perfect strategy on how to chicken
out with my dignity in tact. Alas, there’s no room for dignity where cowardice
is involved, so pride got the better of me for the better.
I did
it!
I
embarked on mission “Hugathon” & gave of myself in a way as simple as
flashing a smile.
The
afternoon played out so serendipitously, to the extent that despite having
moved between a handful of locations, fate saw to it that I had made that
connection with 67 complete strangers in 67 minutes.
Parking
attendants; Cab drivers; Mothers; cleaners; delivery men; taxi drivers;
passengers & then some. The list may not be endless, but each of those
individual fibres in time… Priceless!
In my
28 short years of life, I’ve had too few experiences that were so
quintessentially South African. Exhausting & draining, but infinitely
rewarding.
I’m
satisfied for days & gloating for a lifetime. Itching with addicted
excitement at the next time my contagious smile will come out to play in the
name of a random act of kindness.
(click here to view complete album. Pictures by Zakithi Motha)
Thank
You strangers! You made my day, by letting me be a part of yours.
