You have budgeted Ksh. 100,000/- for Christmas while your mother who years ago slept hungry but still suckled you will go on empty stomach this day. Your dad who slept on a cold floor guarding a village posho-mill to fend for you is still sleeping under a grass thatched leaky roof while you pay Ksh. 30,000/- as rent in Nairobi. The land your parents agreed to sell so that you could go to secondary school has never been recovered despite your six figure basic salary and five figure allowances. Your brother is unable to proceed with college education yet you spin a fuel guzzler. Your wife tells you to hate your sister yet she was not there when your sister gave out her 50cts she had kept to buy you panadol when you fell sick. You hate it when your people come visiting while treat your friends generously. You sleep on a master-bed worth a fortune while your mum who fought with a neighbour when her son beat you is still sleeping on a mat on the floor. Your fridge is full of all types of meat but since the year began your parents struggle to get managu alone. Your kids already have x-mas fashion worth Ksh. 70,000/- while your mum cannot afford 15/- to pay the tailor who repaired her dress 3months ago. Your shoes can buy 5 bulls yet your dad cannot afford akala sandals. CURSED BE THOU!!!
By Strive Masiyiwa A few weeks ago I went to the doctor. I will tell you what he said about my health at the end, but first read this: Twenty years ago, I arranged to meet a well-known British international businessman who invested a lot in Africa at the time. We agreed to meet for dinner at a leading hotel in London. After a good meeting, we started to walk out of the restaurant when he suddenly collapsed in the lobby. There was total pandemonium as they rushed to get medical assistance. Being London, an ambulance arrived in minutes. I jumped in the back with him as paramedics wrestled to keep him alive. He had had a heart attack and had to have triple bypass heart surgery. Sadly he died a few weeks later. He hadn't been sick and his sudden death surprised everyone. And yet as I reflected on it, and later discussed it with a doctor friend who knew him, I realized he was very laid back about his health despite having a hectic business life. Even during our dinner...
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