RICH HERITAGE

It has been with great joy that I have come to realise just what a great heritage was passed on to our family.

Men and women searching out beauty and meaning in life and so having a strong sense of purpose.They sought to enrich the lives of others, leaving a pathway for us to walk in their footsteps.They were people who engaged with life in its every form, building both metaphorically and literally structures which yet stand to perpetuate their memory.

It would seem then that conviviality in the sense of a life of freedom, autonomy and competence marks the good life. They were dedicated to passing on those gifts to others. The men of the family were gentle leaders, each in their own way, supported by loving, giving wives. They were all dedicated to serving others, family, friend and country, for some even the world, promoting the good of society.

My grandfather Boyce, known to me as Grandpa Swazi, was driven to share the gospel so that all would love and serve God. He used manual skills in such a way that others came to be competent in supporting themselves and help in building a strong society. Marks of this are still evident in Malawi and Swaziland. For this he received an MBE. Today sportmen and entertainers receive a similar commendation. What a regression. He wouldn't have known the word conviviality but lived it out day by day.

My father used his intelligence to enable men to communicate more easily. The telephone is mentioned specifically as a most convivial tool, available to all to communicate as they choose. He was not favourably disposed to TV where presenters and audience are bound, the latter becoming mere observers of what others choose to present. He oversaw the electrification of the township of Sowetu, bring modernity to the numerous black people who made it their home. In his final years he built a home where others could continue in freedom to live a meaningful life but with such support as they needed.

Uncle Napier nutured men and women who sought to mentor others in the art of living.
His history books reminded us of past ways and deeds which he entitled 'A Legacy of the Past' realising how essential this was to future generations.

Knowing what damage has been done to the fabric of society by industrialsation, it is so gratifying to appreciate what gracious and gifted men they were. Looking back I realise I grew up steeped in conviviality and so recognise it in others, but find them rare and so to be valued.