Hundreds of children and adults alike streamed into the building, almost as fast as the water streaming down the road outside. A little rain wasn’t about to deter this crowd from attending the first ever Mr and Miss Sinako Beauty Pageant. Masixole had been working on this event for over a month and today was the final product of his hard labor. Kids chatted with excitement as the dj played their favorite songs to enhance the atmosphere for what was about to unfold. Many of the guests, in tattered clothing, still wet from the rain outside and many without shoes; had never been to a beauty pageant before, let alone one with contestants from their own community.
I was thrilled that Masi asked me to judge the event. He was so excited about it, that I couldn’t help but share in his excitement of the event. In all the hubbub the day, he forgot to make a judging sheet for us to score the contestants---so he asked me to make one up as he was running out of the office to the venue. I obliged and in true form, the event looked a little bit like controlled pandemonium when I arrived at the center with the two other judges.
The pageant was held in a community centre in the township of Nyanga and I was one of 2 white people in the entire building. Now, this generally wouldn’t bother me as I’ve become quite comfortable in these situations, but today was different. Today I was sitting at a table in front of everyone as a judge. Masi had done a wonderful job of making sure everything was in order and 3 giant plates of food and a jug of juice were brought out for the sole purpose of feeding the judges.
Here’s where my conundrum comes in....
There I sat, in front of hundreds of people who probably didn’t have breakfast and many would go without lunch as well—with a whole plate of food just for me. I felt guilty even eating one chip. I wasn’t even that hungry...I had a full nutritious breakfast, a great lunch and a coffee break already. I knew I would go home to a hot meal and I knew there would be leftovers for the next day. I could tell by the look in some of the kid’s eyes that they wished to have some of the food. I just wanted to pull the group of little kiddos sitting to my left, over to my side and dish out the goodies to them. I didn’t need it, they did. I wasn’t hungry, they were.
On the other hand, if I didn’t eat the food, I would be considered rude for not consuming what I had been given. Masi and the planning team had specifically prepared a full plate of food for each of the judges and it was his “gift” to say thanks. It might have been different if there were more people of my own race in the audience...or it might not have made a difference at all. Either way, I was stuck. Eat the food that I didn’t need in front of people who did need it or be inconsiderate to the people who took the time to prepare it for us. What was I to do??
As the event progressed, I battled to make a decision, but I gradually ate a chip here and a cookie there, trying my best to show my courtesy and gratefulness to the effort put before me. The two other judges and myself watched as these proud kids ‘strut their stuff’ across the stage. Every kid had worked so hard on their costume and the girls, their hair and makeup. It was such a proud moment for them--choosing the top three was much more of a challenge than I anticipated.
I was thrilled that Masi asked me to judge the event. He was so excited about it, that I couldn’t help but share in his excitement of the event. In all the hubbub the day, he forgot to make a judging sheet for us to score the contestants---so he asked me to make one up as he was running out of the office to the venue. I obliged and in true form, the event looked a little bit like controlled pandemonium when I arrived at the center with the two other judges.
The pageant was held in a community centre in the township of Nyanga and I was one of 2 white people in the entire building. Now, this generally wouldn’t bother me as I’ve become quite comfortable in these situations, but today was different. Today I was sitting at a table in front of everyone as a judge. Masi had done a wonderful job of making sure everything was in order and 3 giant plates of food and a jug of juice were brought out for the sole purpose of feeding the judges.
Here’s where my conundrum comes in....
There I sat, in front of hundreds of people who probably didn’t have breakfast and many would go without lunch as well—with a whole plate of food just for me. I felt guilty even eating one chip. I wasn’t even that hungry...I had a full nutritious breakfast, a great lunch and a coffee break already. I knew I would go home to a hot meal and I knew there would be leftovers for the next day. I could tell by the look in some of the kid’s eyes that they wished to have some of the food. I just wanted to pull the group of little kiddos sitting to my left, over to my side and dish out the goodies to them. I didn’t need it, they did. I wasn’t hungry, they were.
On the other hand, if I didn’t eat the food, I would be considered rude for not consuming what I had been given. Masi and the planning team had specifically prepared a full plate of food for each of the judges and it was his “gift” to say thanks. It might have been different if there were more people of my own race in the audience...or it might not have made a difference at all. Either way, I was stuck. Eat the food that I didn’t need in front of people who did need it or be inconsiderate to the people who took the time to prepare it for us. What was I to do??
As the event progressed, I battled to make a decision, but I gradually ate a chip here and a cookie there, trying my best to show my courtesy and gratefulness to the effort put before me. The two other judges and myself watched as these proud kids ‘strut their stuff’ across the stage. Every kid had worked so hard on their costume and the girls, their hair and makeup. It was such a proud moment for them--choosing the top three was much more of a challenge than I anticipated.
After announcing the winners, the boy who won Mr. Sinako of 2011 stood proudly as all the girls ran up to take a photo with him and flash their eyelashes in hopes of getting a personal smile. Pushing through all the people, an older woman made her way to the front and wrapped her arms around the boy. Hugging and kissing him, she started to cry---it was his mother who was extremely proud of him. What a great experience for mother and son!
During all the craziness of announcing the winners, I was able to give a bit of my plate to some smaller kids hanging out by the judging table before the plates were whisked away. I don’t know if I did the right thing or not, but at least a few kids had something to eat. As I left the event in my warm and dry car, I watched as others walked home in the rain and once again was hit with the stark reality of poverty and wealth. I hate feeling guilty about what I've been blessed with, but today, I just couldn't shake it. I won't be able to change the whole world, but I certainly will try my best to do what I can while I'm still living in this beautiful and challenging place.
During all the craziness of announcing the winners, I was able to give a bit of my plate to some smaller kids hanging out by the judging table before the plates were whisked away. I don’t know if I did the right thing or not, but at least a few kids had something to eat. As I left the event in my warm and dry car, I watched as others walked home in the rain and once again was hit with the stark reality of poverty and wealth. I hate feeling guilty about what I've been blessed with, but today, I just couldn't shake it. I won't be able to change the whole world, but I certainly will try my best to do what I can while I'm still living in this beautiful and challenging place.
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