Welcome Ceremony

by Lihle Mabuza (South Africa)

Making a local connection South Africa

When you have done this often enough it eventually becomes a routine- security check. Passport Control. Boarding. Lift Off. Landing- with each stage having its special details. So naturally, it eventually all becomes a blur ultimately leaving you with only two things to look forward to: departing and arriving. Arrivals were always a ceremony. Inclusive of an entourage that would welcome you home consisting of people you knew as well as those who you barely knew. However, what was common was that everyone had something to say. As a sign of respect you were expected to go around the room greeting everyone and thanking them for the welcome. With every handshake and smile would be an interrogation, “How was your flight?” “How was your trip?” “Have you lost some weight?” “Are you seeing someone?” Or an unsolicited update about what you missed when you were away. ... next please... So my arrival in Antananarivo was not without it’s particulars. Every counter felt like an experience I knew too well. A bombardment of questions and unsolicited information. ...next please ... “Bonjour”, he said “Bonjour ca va?”, I replied like an avid French speaker “You are from South Africa”, he said looking quite interested “Yes”, I replied expecting his next sentence “The land of Nelson Mandela”, he continued “Yes”, I said “Did you know that Radio Freedom of the South African liberation movement was broadcast from Madagascar” “Really?” I replied to this unsolicited information “We recently returned the equipment to SA and it now sits in Freedom Park” he continued I listened attentively to the entourage that welcomed me . I was already having regrets about why I had chosen a flight landing at 4am. Should my driver not arrive, I had no idea how I would explain where the house I was renting is and I was really hoping I would not need to. But perhaps it would be alright. I was home.