Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!!!

There is absolutely no other way the Love of God would have been given to us and the world except by the Birth of Our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus the Beloved, the resurrected and Supreme Master of All Creation. I just want to thank you all for your presence in my life and also give thanks to God who has given me yourselves to be acquainted with and share good times and memories. As life is not always a smooth journey in the bed of roses I beg you to forgive me where I have not been what I was suppose to be to you “a brother, a brethren and a neighbor.” Be sure you will always be part of my prayers for good health and prosperity.

You might have experienced tough times during the year but God is tougher than any circumstances. I encourage you to keep the faith and thank God for another molding period to build your character and knowledge you will need later in life. Remember life is a test, and as with any test comes by gaining knowledge and experience and the assessment comes from applying that knowledge to the test He puts before you and it is up to us to retain the experiences and apply them to life appropriately. As a child of God keep your values and principles in the New Year. People will be trying to set you up for failure but praise be to God who ensures that we do not falter along the way. Keep the faith because the God we serve will never give you more than you can bear. Face your enemies with enthusiasm; know that God is working on your plan. The scripture in the book of 1^st John 4:4 says, you dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. So as you end the year keep on marching on our God is bigger and greater than any circumstances.

Even in 2008 when all reasons are there to give up, call on Him. You might think life was not fair in 2007, understand the ways of the righteous are brighter. Even when you find yourself in the valley of the shadow of death, do not panic because He promised not to leave you. So fear not because you are not alone. God has a plan for your life, so apply the law of persistence. Congratulations on conquering the year 2007 and you are just around the corner to 2008 with God on your side.

From the bottom of my heart I thank you for being everything and lifting me up when I could not reach. I pray that God continue to keep you and watch over you and your family in the next coming year. Happy holidays and a Prosperous New Year to you and may you see more days and in those days fulfill the Will of GOD.

From Labor To Reward

I have always said 2007 was the longest and the most challenging year I have ever experienced. One thing for sure I never thought I will lose my dearest sister Winile so soon, but to God be the Glory. I learned so much from her, being quiet yet thinking about the future. I was hoping for the best in 2008 with her going to the University of Swaziland to continue her path of academic excellence.
I was hopping to be in the Kingdom of Swaziland to accompany her in August to UNISWA, but death has robbed me that opportunity. Winile will always be part of who I am and I am sure wherever she is, thats the best place to be. I watched her grow to be the best sister ever. Lala Ngekuthula Gwalagwala! Rest In Peace Gwalagwala! Kini akuvalwa ngemvalo kuvalwa ngemakhanda amadoda...NKHOSI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Living Life With No Limits

Recently the Standard Bank Swaziland donated new computers to one of the schools in the rural areas of The Kingdom of Swaziland. I was impressed by the bank’s generosity to help the country fight digital divide and empower those in the rural areas to embrace technology. Sammy Dlamini, Head of Marketing, challenged the pupils to take charge of their lives and understand that nothing was beyond their reach. What a statement? I hope those who were present will take time and do research and also learn about Web 2.0 so that they are not left out in the tide of technological advancements.

In my last blog I wrote about my lovely cousin who has departed from labor to reward. Even though my cousin went through so much but she never limits herself but fought a good fight. Having brought up in one of the rural areas of Swaziland I always felt inferior to those who were attending school in the city until one day I realized that I was complete and as capable as everybody else. Teachers will have to embrace technology by including activities in their classroom to enhance students’ educational experience. Today’s generation is visual and technologically stimulated so technology is the key in their learning process. There should be relevant activities to enhance the curriculum so that there will be no gap between those who attend school in urban areas and those in remote rural areas. All I am saying with technology at our disposal we should not make mountains out of ant hills let us be technology savvy and participate in the global world.

In my academic experience I have decided to study ICT and to see how it can be used to transform The Kingdom of Swaziland to achieve Political, Economical and Human Development. Some people are not happy with my route but the truth of the matter is I am more than happy and will still continue to use my technology skills to develop systems to improve the current situation in my country. Technology is currently underutilized yet is the key in achieving sustainable socio-economic development. In short I am on my way up and nothing will stop me. Benjamin Mays once said, "The tragedy of life is not failure, but low aim is sin or having no dreams to reach for." If I fail I will fail still fighting to better my community, my country, and my continent. Until then...Happy Thanks Giving!!!

Rest In Peace

I recently learned about the departure of my cousin who has been a friend and a sister to me. I believe she left from labor to reward. At first it was hard to believe that Thoko Gracious Magagula is no more but now I am convinced. She left at a time when I needed her the most. She taught me about making the most out of a situation either good or bad. Through her pain and suffering I learned not to take life for granted and never to make it a laboratory for experiment. She left an indelible mark in my life. Things she gave me:
1. A different perspective on how to deal with negative forces.
2. Time will never be on my side, I am accountable for every second in my life.
3. There is nothing important in life than my health.
As I travel the road to my academic success I will always remember Umshana (cousin) and the things she did for me. She played a key role in my secondary education. There is nothing more I could have ask for from Thoko. I have even started visiting the gym again to exercise and stop making excuses about time. I learned through her life that there is nobody who will take care of my health if I don't shake-off my laziness and have a plan.
As I write I am writhing in pain knowing I will never see her again even to attend her services. I can only hope to place a stone when I get a chance to visit the Kingdom of eSwatini. Recently I have been told by one of my good friend, "the story is getting old." I quickly reverted to the list of things my cousin gave me. I realized how I have let opportunities slip off my fingers because of my blindness. Now I plan to seize every opportunity and make things happen so I can be of great value to my family, friends, society, etc. My advice to you stop watching others be a player and mould your destiny. Will always remember Umshana.
Lala ngekuthula Mthombeni (Rest In Peace Mthombeni).

I Remember

Sometimes I am trouble but not in despair knowing that I am standing on the shoulders of great people who walked before me. I mean from those who shaped me to be the greatest person in the world. I mean those who loved me, supported me, encouraged me, and gave me tools to survive in life. They might not be here today but their spirits live on and their legacies continue. I use to think that I cannot go on, until I met my heroes now I believe I can fly. There was in me a vision, a dream and hope for making my life count for something in this world. When I look back over my life and take time to think things over I can truly say that I have been blessed. My grandfather known as Brother G. F. Dhlamini asked one day "Who would have thought there will be a graduate from Phoyisa's house." Right there and there I knew that with God all things are possible. Until then peace out...I am still standing, but not standing still.

Shattered but not Broken

In the past couple of months I have been trying to find my place in the mother earth. During that process of fact finding mission I realized how much time I have wasted trying to please everybody. Even though I don't regret any decisions I have made in my life but I do feel that I should have been in charge of my life.
Sometimes I think about life and its challenges that I had to endure growing up. I cannot blame anybody for my experiences because I learned a lot from them. Now is the beginning of a new era to be in charge of my life. No pleasing strangers. I promise myself to speak my mind and tell people how I feel. I am not mad at people but I do ask why people treated me the way they did. Why people judge me instead of finding out about my decisions? I always expected people to be there for me especially those who are so called friends. I just realize that before looking for other people's input I should believe in myself and follow my dreams. Those who have accused me of wrong doing forgive me as guilt as I am and accept me with my short comings. I am learning from all my mistakes and will grow to be the best citizen ever. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that people actual think I am mean or have wrong intentions yet I am trying to be the best friend I can be.
Let me just say the storm is over now even though shattered one thing I know I am not broken, even though wounded time will heal. I can't forget the words of gospel great Ms. Yolanda Adams, "Yet Still I Rise," never to give up. To you all out there live your life and pursue your dreams in the midst of any circumstances.

Siyabingelela Malangeni Lamahle!!!