This is not the countenance, nor the words one would expect of a person who had not just lost physical property, but an entire life she and her husband, Neville, had built up together whilst raising their family in Raffingora. (Neville Brown passed away on Friday, June 24 at their home in Plettenbergbay)
Not unlike other books coming out of the Zimbabwean dispossession of land, Brown’s tale nonetheless beautifully tells the story of how Neville and she started out as a young couple, of how they eventually immersed themselves in a life as vibrant and picturesque as the smells, sounds and colours of an epic African journey. However, in the end the greater journey turned out to be that of the human spirit and of trials and challenges, as instrument of revelation. "I began writing when I suffered from insomnia and tried, by putting things down in words, to salvage whatever positive or humorous I could get out of our predicament," explains Brown.
She admits that, although she had ‘fiddled’ with the manuscript before they had to leave Zimbabwe, she only earnestly began completing it after beginning a new life in South Africa.
"Only in retrospect could I own just how difficult it really was," she says. The Browns were expelled from their farm in 2003 and came to Plettenbergbay in 2005.
"My son is still a pastor there, but it was becoming so commonplace for people to be thrown in jail, and Neville had an artificial bladder, which would have made that a very difficult situation."
One of the book’s many unforgettable images, which will haunt the reader for a long time, occurs when the author’s daughter suggests that they hold a time of celebration and gratitude. This, despite the ‘settlers’ having been dumped by the truckload on their property and watching their every move. "We knew the ‘settlers’ were watching us and somehow I felt the most liberating sense of freedom and realised that no one had the power to stop us giving thanks for what we had had."
It is the same strength of character, courage, yet sense of fun amongst unthinkable challenges that the reader finds throughout this incredible journey. Says Brown about her book: "I think Angus Buchan summarised that well in his back-cover comment - ‘This book will encourage you to keep looking up. The darker the sky, the brighter the stars shine’ - that really is the main message I wanted to convey. That’s why, for me, it wasn’t primarily a story about either Zimbabwe or our family but about the wonderful truth that no amount of darkness can ever extinguish light; that nothing can separate us from God’s love."
For more information on how to get a copy of this remarkable book, kindly contact Wendy Brown on 044 533 4476 or 082 084 1557 or ask your local bookstore.
A life time of memories - Neville and Wendy Brown.
ARTICLE: ANOESCHKA VON MECK, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD REPORTER
