Fear of Success

Rev. Spiwo held a small panel session during services today, around a theme of fear of success. Apparently, a woman from the congregation approached him last week about a business she was thinking of starting (selling electricity cards). She was really torn about it, because she didn't want her neighbors to think she was doing well (i.e., had money). Spiwo was taken aback by that, by the woman's fear that she might actually succeed in her venture. He spoke with others in the community and came to find out that this is a common feeling. Sometimes it's just about security (extra money invites assault, robbery, or worse) and other times it's about curses. Yes, curses.

Traditional spirituality is still very pervasive in the Xhosa culture. According to people I've talked with, about 80% of Xhosa people still consult with sangomas (also known as witch doctors or traditional healers). They see these healers not just on health issues but about ways to improve their lives, love matters, finances, and other day-to-day items. Part of the fear of success is the belief that success will bring about curses, that others will vex you because you have done well. It's supported by anecdotes of people in the community, like people that bought a new car only to get in a major accident. One of the guys at the Centre, Thebo, has done well and built his parents a house. Shortly thereafter he developed a rare fungal infection in the skin around his ankle, something never seen before by most people. Some believe that he was cursed because of his success. Fortunately, he doesn't believe that.

When Spiwo and I talked about this concept earlier in the week, I told him that that idea would be almost unheard of in the U.S, at least with the people who I know and grew up with. I told him that Americans are always striving to develop and gain knowledge, to try new things in order to move ahead. While we may not like making mistakes and failing in our attempts at improving ourselves, it is success, be it personal, financial, spiritual, or emotional, that keep us motivated.

This fear of success is just another of the cultural blocks to mass change in the Black settlements, the first being the lack of self-worth or ability to imagine oneself in a different (better) place. That's why Spiwo is trying to engage people who have broken free of the cultural biases to work in the townships, to drive their BMWs and Benzes through the streets, to show people that it is possible to move up and out. The people, especially the youth, need role models to say "I did it, and you can, too." I hope that it will happen.

By the way, electricity cards are just like phone cards, except they buy electricity. Many of the shacks have little boxes with a keypad that are tied into the electrical panel. When you want electricity, you punch in a code and that gives you whatever amount of time you purchased. It's similar to the meters still used in England, where you put in Pound coin or two and you get some power. The boxes are only in homes that have signed up for electricity, of course. Many shack owners simply run a wire from another house or (illegally) from an overhead light pole. It's not uncommon after a storm to see live electrical wires laying in the streets, and more than a few people are shocked each year.

A couple miscellaneous notes:
- Zindzi, the 19-year old woman who lost her mother a few weeks ago, is now permanently employed with the City of Cape Town. She was hired on as a temp worker a couple weeks ago and she passed the "tests" to go permanent. This is a big deal for her and her sister, and should allow them to stay in their house and make a go of it. As you can imagine, she was smiling ear to ear when I saw her this morning.

- I made brownies (from scratch!) today for the cooks at the Centre. It will either be a huge win or a big downer, depending on how they taste. I'll let you know what happens.

- I forgot to mention two of my favorite foods yesterday that I'm enjoying here. Both sweet potatoes and dates are available all the time here. I have a big sweet potato for dinner 4-5 times a week. I only buy dates a couple times a month but it's a real treat to have them virtually anytime and not just around Christmas.

More to come.