Di-competition

I hated the church because I’ve never been to the Kanye District Primary School singing competitions, at the King George Hall – simply know as the ’’di competition’’.

At the King George Hall, I was told of the multitude of students, in a rainbow of uniform colours well graced the singing event. Among the colours were: the grey shorts with white shirts; the pinafore olive green dress, with a light-yellow long sleeved shirt; The Mafhikana’s light blue pinafore dress, complimented by a white blouse, and with the boys’ khaki shorts, with the matching short sleeved shirts.

Among the most talked-about moments at the di-competitions’ were the wooden stick carrying, energetic, and enthusiastic school choir conductors – mostly other Madams ­– donning similar, fashionable, and beautiful summer multi-coloured bold floral chiffon dresses. I was always reminded of how they admirably mastered one movement to the next with no pause between them: arms wide open, waving her hands, hitting the air with the feared stick, closing one hand firmly, the wooden stick, as well as an index finger shooting out as the A cappella singers, eyes fixed on their now dancing conductor, responded to the coaxing and cajoling splendidly. To the nodding, smiling, and often clapping of those lucky to be attending the di-competition – including the strict, and angry looking judges and our own Madam.

Meanwhile, I was inside the synagogue, right at the front; closer to the ‘’Jesus Is Love’’ white and red drape graced, and shining brown pulpit – with other children – knelt down on the big brownish rug, with my eyes fully shut, head bowed down, and mumbling: “the lo-lo-rd-lord, is my shepherd; I shall not want!”