Zulu Lesson Stand Up
To stand up is ima in Zulu. I-ma, you say like emancipate.
Great joy at home when the baby stands up for the first time, smiles at her audience then her butt hits the floor after ten seconds. Some babies even clap in glee. Babies!
That first attempt is a sign of future independence. That’s why I was surprised when Speaker Mike Johnson paid former president Donald Trump a visit in Florida. Sometimes I think the U.S. has two presidents: Joe Biden the constitutional one, and Donald Trump the roaming one. The visit indicates that House Republicans regard Trump as the victim president, robbed of his teddy bear by evil Democrats. I wish someone would use another language to remind him that he was a shot in the dark, a one-term president. Alternatively, tell Mike Johnson to man up.
Zi-mele Mike Johnson (stand on your own Mike Johnson).
Now, let’s look at the root or core word -ma. Remember higher primary school? You’ve done something bad. Teachers used to say: I-ma la (stand here). That was the punishment. That core word -ma changes depending on who is talking, how many people are talking and when they were talking. It’s painful when you are stood up, your date is a no-show. You stand there until pigeons mistake you for a stature.
Katt Williams, the comedian and comedy show producer was on the Sherri Shepherd show. She reminded him that he stood her up, somewhere in the journey of life. She was so looking forward to it, she even had an outfit laid out. Katt Williams was no-show.
Ngi-ma neqiniso. I stand with the truth.
Ngi-ma no Joe Biden. I stand with Joe Biden.
Ngi-ma no Coco Gauff. I stand with Coco Gauff.
Ngi-ma no Shedeur Sanders. I stand with Shedeur Sanders.
Ngi-ma no Frederick Leonard (actor).
What does the proverb say? Stand up and be counted. Americans will do just that in 7 months time, not counting April. There’ll either stand with Joe Biden the current U.S. President or with the has-been, Donald Trump.
Nonqaba waka Msimang
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