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| Laphuma Ikwezi means "the sun is rising" in Xhosa language |
ROSEY TYAM
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| Rosey Tyam on left |
We first met
Bishop Tyam the first weekend we were in Port Elizabeth when we went out to the
township areas to participate in a “Helping Hands” service project. The project
was to clean up 3-4 acres of land he was in hopes would one day be the site for
a new church building for his congregation. Since that time, we have interacted
with him in a variety of activities and meetings and found him to be very
cordial and concerned about the welfare of those under his stewardship.
It was in
May of this year, 2014, that he approached us and asked that we hold a
Self-Employment Workshop that he could attend and learn how to begin a business
he was interested in. We held the workshop where he and another man who was
interested in becoming his partner, attended. They were very excited about what
they had learned and committed to move forward with their business idea. They
wanted to begin a security academy in Kwanobuhle which would include security
personnel training, security system installations, firearms training and
martial arts. It was an ambitious objective and we offered all the
encouragement we could and yet cautioned them to begin small and focus on being
realistic. Information about where to go to register their business and which
government agencies they should contact for financial and equipment assistance
was shared with them. We were hopeful and yet not overly optimistic since we
have seen so many begin the race but run out of steam before their objective
was more than a shimmer in the distance. The key to start a business, here as
elsewhere in the world, is commitment and perseverance, two virtues most people
lack, especially here.
Months went
by and each time we met Bishop Tyam, we asked how he was coming with his
business plan. Each time, we received a big smile and assurance that he was
still working on getting the business registered. Our optimism continued to
wane as time went by with no firm development apparent. And then last week, he
came up to us with a tremendous smile and asked if we could come to Kwanobuhle Monday
for the opening of his academy. I was amazed and not sure I heard correctly but
after probing, he indeed was inviting us to see his facilities as he opened the
doors for the first time.
We were
elated to say the least. It had happened. A dream had come to fruition. The
world had suddenly expanded and became brighter for this man who had struggled
for so long to provide for himself and his family.
We had at
our flat some miscellaneous office 
equipment such as printers, phone sets, tables,
etc. that we asked if he could use. He was overwhelmed with the offer as the
government bureaucracy was to inspect his facility and he was required to have
many of the items we offered. So we loaded up what we had and arranged to meet
him at his new establishment. What we saw was not quite what we anticipated.
The opening of the doors was not a translation that equated to the beginning of
business but rather a time that he was handed the keys to the facility that
allowed him to begin his renovations – but he was happy and proud as were we
for him. As we presented to him our meager offerings of equipment, you would
have thought we had just delivered him a bucket of bullion. He and his
partner’s eyes were all aglow but the real expression of gratitude came when we
handed him a phone system – oh, how happy were they, smiling and rejoicing as
they admired them.
And then Angie presented them with their own leather
briefcases so that they could look like true officials. I doubt that they have
had such a joyous day for many years.
Both of them
were bubbling over with excitement as they told us of those that had already
contacted about attending their “Academy.” Plans were shared about the academy,
the renovation of the facility, where each piece of equipment would be located,
where the offices would be and on and on. Joy and excitement filled their
souls.
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