Alberto Cupane

Silence

Why have I chosen to pay attribute to Joan Africa through silence?

I

Silence is the best way when you cannot finish the list of things that you are thankful for
Silence is the best way when the words cannot describe your feelings
Silence is the best way when you know how diminished you are in front of events
Silence is the best way when you know that you cannot change things

I (Changana)
Ku miyela swa yantswa loku u nge swi koti ku lhautela leswi u swi kenselaku
Ku miyela swa yantswa loku a maritu ma nge vuly leswi u swi twaku
Ku miyela swa yantswa loku u tiva a wu tswongo lawena ku leswi swi humelelaku
Ku miyela swa yantswa loku u nge ndzulute leswi swi yentxekaka

II

Silence is the best way when you cannot finish the list of things that you are thankful for
Many wonders have happened in my life because I have met Joan
I have been several times in seminar, workshops, conference in Moz and SA because of Joan’s influence
I have been learning and giving lessons in several places because I have met Joan
I have been exchanging experiences with people from all over the world because of Joan’s influence
I have learned to call Joan Joan Africa
Me a male who was born black with the help of a woman who was born white
What evidence do I require from Joan to show that we (males, females, blacks, whites, people from India, Mozambique, South Africa, Union Kingdom, Nepal, Australia, Namibia, just to name few places) can create a better world?
I know that the MOU between Universidade Pedagogica and Durban University of Technology will be a reality
Silence is the best way when you cannot finish the list of things that you are thankful for

III

Silence is the best way when the words cannot describe your feelings

Am I happy because of Joan’s retirement? No, I would like to see more beautiful things happening
Am I selfish to say that Joan does not deserve to reduce the amount of her work? No, it is a natural process in which I am
Did not Joan introduce me to many wonderful people? She did but I haven’t yet learned to replace people
Is this my first time to tell someone: “See you later?” No, but it is always painful. I would like to be all the times with my loved ones.
What are my feelings about Joan’s retirement? I do not know and,
Silence is the best way when the words cannot describe your feelings

IV                                                                                                   

Silence is the best way when you know how diminished you are in front of events
People are born, die, grow up, change from place to place, get married, change their status and in the meantime influence things
My thesis is a base for international projects because of Joan’s influence

The sun is rising and setting every day: changing our lives
Things that I know and I do not know happen all the time regardless of my wishes and awareness
Am I capable of influencing things? Maybe and you know …      

Silence is the best way when you know how diminished you are in front of events

V

Silence is the best way when you know that you cannot change things
I know that instead of changing the world I can change myself
I will not promise a better world because a better world without Joan is not possible
I cannot eliminate the lack of cooperation among practitioners, professionals and scientists
I will try to reduce in me selfishness and increase my care for the other
Because the other is me, is Joan, is my family
I know that by reducing all the bad things that exist in me I will be contributing to a better world and,
In that way I will be paying attribute to Joan and the sharing that we have.

Cupane, Setembro 2011


Joan Africa with Alberto Cupane and Emilia Afonso