As we are living in such unpredictable times, let me try to predict how life will be in the coming years.
This is not easy and certainly not for unschooled individuals like myself but who would not wonder what the future will be like when you’ve lived through this year of the pandemic.
This year has provided us with a number of changes since March 27.
But mostly we have transitioned in ways we never thought we would.
We have built corners where we self quarantine from the fast-spreading Covid-19.
We have been more into ourselves than before.
I am that guy who never usually worries too much, but let me confess, since March, I have not been the same. I never use to pray when I wake up, but now I do.
My mind has never relaxed, not a day. Every time I wake, I thank the Lord and ask myself what the future will be like in 2021 and beyond? What would industries be like? Will there be more work spaces or offices or will our houses be our offices? These are the questions one should be asking.
More questions are those related to African culture, customs and traditions.
I guess a lot will change. There have been suggestions that circumcisions should be done away with. There have been calls from certain corners that lobola should be scrapped. Is this the right time to entertain those calls?
I really would commit myself to respond to that, but when I look at how things are now, everything is possible.
One other thing Africans have been stubborn to practise is cremation. That has been a no-no to black people simply because of their cultures and customs. But right now it could become a possible practice.
I guess we are in a difficult time to do the unthinkable.
We might see Africans using hospitals when it comes to circumcisions.
I do not foresee them incriminating their loved ones, but who knows, with the time that we are in, more people might go that way.
But it will need more open-mindedness from black people.
I can tell their immediate reaction will be about ancestors.
It is difficult for black people to make organ donations. Their response always has the ancestors in it. They believe after this life there is another one – being ancestors to generations to come.
For that they will never resort to burning their dead bodies. The villagers would never allow that in their lifetime. But again, with all the changes we are seeing, that too is possible.
The current regulations only allow less than 50 people to attend a funeral and talking to many people, they wish it could remain that way because people save money.
Black people’s funerals are always bigger than weddings. The reason is because they care for each other, they are united when things like death happen. But that is now waning.
Another transition might see people staying wherever they are so there won’t be amagoduka (migrant workers) anymore. Those who work in Cape Town, will make it their home forever.
This will work for the coming generations. They never loved rural life. They see villages as zoos and for people who are lifeless. Life without loud music, deejaying, meat stalls and free houses is not life to them. Life with cows, donkeys, stray dogs, sheep and goats is for lifeless people not the current generation. They would never work the land and plough for they are not bharus (clueless and dumb people)
That is the greater effect the pandemic will have in our lives. My prediction is that we will never be the same again. We will not care about each other. Health trust issues will always be there. There won’t be much kisses and hugs from our close relatives. Let’s see what the future holds for us. But there is a massive change coming in our lives.