Way of Wealth

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🇿🇦✨ THE LEGEND OF SUIDERKLAAS

(A South African Re-Imagination of Sinterklaas)

Long ago, when the Cape winds still whispered secrets through the fynbos, the children of South Africa celebrated a legend known only as Suiderklaas.

Every year, on the night of 5 December, as the sun slid down behind Table Mountain and painted the sky gold, Suiderklaas began his journey. Not from Spain—no, that was someone else’s story—but from the heart of the Karoo, where the stars hang low and bright like lanterns.

Suiderklaas was no ordinary old man.
He rode not a horse, but a majestic white springbok named _Ligvoet_, who could leap across rooftops as gracefully as the wind.
His sleigh? A hovering Cape Dutch wagon, glowing with woven Zulu beadwork and drifting on a cloud of rooibos-scented magic.

His clothes were a blend of South Africa’s soul—
a deep red coat stitched with Ndebele patterns,
gold cuffs inspired by Xhosa beadwork,
and a hat shaped like a floppy afrikaans veldhoed, but enchanted so it sparkled like the sea at Muizenberg.

Every year, Suiderklaas carried with him a great leather satchel filled with:

koeksisters that never get your fingers sticky,

biltong that never finishes,

peppermint crisp tart that regenerates slice by slice,

and the sweetest mandarin oranges grown in a secret valley only he could find.

But the true magic of Suiderklaas wasn’t the gifts—it was the spirit he brought.
He visited every child—Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Sotho, Coloured, Indian, Tswana, Venda—every family, every home, spreading the message:

> “You belong. There is room for you at the fire.”

On the final stop of his journey, he would climb to the top of Lion’s Head, raise his staff—carved from a branch of an ancient baobab—and whisper a blessing that rippled through every desert, mountain, veld, and coastline:

“May the year ahead be vol liefde, vol hoop, and vol lekker moments.”

And when the morning came, children found not only gifts but tiny traces of his visit:
a speck of Karoo dust on the windowsill,
a springbok hoofprint on the stoep,
or a candied naartjie peel shaped like a heart.

From then on, everyone knew:
Suiderklaas had passed through the night skies of South Africa,
leaving warmth behind him like embers of a shared fire.

My reasons are personal about this...maybe if people's heads weren't buried in the sand of ignorance and they took the time to understand, instead of judging and thinking it won't happen to them because they have the perfect family, life would be a little bit easier for people that do experience this! This hits close to home for me, for family and friends who live under this shadow. The days of 'it' not being talked about or being taboo should be over. In the most difficult moments of life you realize who your true friends are, and the people who really appreciate you. Unfortunately, most social media 'friends' aren't true friends. They will send you a "like" here and there, but in reality, they do not take time to read your status if they see it's lengthy. More than half will stop reading right here, or have already scrolled on to the next post on their page. I decided to post this message in support of all those who continue to battle with their mental illness. (Su***de is at an all-time high). Now, let's see who will have taken the time to read this lengthy post right through to the end. If you have read everything so far, please "like" it so that I can put a thank you on your page. More mental health awareness is urgently needed. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean people aren't suffering. Please, try to spare a little of your time with someone who may just want to talk (about anything). Talking can help us all to cope a little more, keeping things bottled up just makes it worse. Most people will say, "if you need anything, don't hesitate to call me, I'll be there to help you" but will they? I believe a select few of my friends will post this, to show their support for those who may be struggling. You just have to copy and paste rather than sharing. I'd like to know who will take a minute out of their day to please write "done" in the comments. Thank you!☺️

On my life calender for viewing

Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) over Simons Town, Western Cape
Hassaan Tanvir

With New Places To Go – I'm on a streak! I've been a top fan for 2 months in a row. 🎉

Classes filling up rapidly for Tomorrow. in BonzaBay.Its really fun and relaxing.Call me to join us. Beautiful creations of two.Well done.

Exciting times as new avenues of facilitation for creative workshops is opening up. I love my life and it loves me.Can you say the same.If not .. change it

Feeling creative?Its mentally relaxing enjoying your own art 🎨 ideas transferred to an item to keep.

#moonlightmagic

My Baby girl's 36th Birthday today.Greatest creation of my life With if course contribution from her Dad, Horstie. a heart point through our lives and ongoing. Karin you are loved by so many.