‘John vula iGate’ – John open the gate!
Written by Dr Mandy Mpatlanyane
November, 24, 2020
“Aawh nasi ‘stoko, aawh John vula igate”. If you are South African this phrase has either enticed you to dance, laugh or question, who the hell John is! And may he please open the gate! Aawh Vula gate, vula gate, aawh vula gate lol. Well, why? Why must John open the gate?
I recently took a trip to a remote lodge to de-stress during my leave.On return day, my partner and I decided to leave really early in the morning because my partner had early meetings the next day. We Checked out at 04:00 am. As we drove out into the thin layer of darkness still lingering before daybreak, an unexpected obstacle called, “The exit gate” halted our journey.
Reception had given us an exit code in case the gate was locked. We both saw the gate closed and assumed it was locked. We tried the exit code 5 times, all 5 times without success, we proceeded to hoot, flashed lights and even waved our hands towards the security camera, in an attempt to get the attention of a security guard, we vaguely heard about being stationed at the main gate like 5 meters from the exit gate. STRESS!!! In some attempt to punch in the code from the outside my partner noted that the pedestrian gate next to the exit gate was opened… and with a painful hope he pushed the exit gate and watched it gently open. After 2 minutes of silent cursing, a left leg air fling and some bittersweet giggles of embarrassment, we did what millennials do… We move!
The concept, ‘John vula iGate!’ is an analogy. It is the age old principle of: trying. Too often in life, we assume everything is a struggle. As a result we jog on tar roads like we’re on sea sand. We indulge skepticism then wonder why everyone is so paranoid about our actions. In this series “The science” the basic principles about sexual and reproductive health were highlighted in different forms of storytelling.
Article 1 of 5 focused on the importance of talking about sexual and reproductive health because it’s a part of our livelihood as humans.
Article 2 of 5 looked at the power of having a personal stance towards your own sexual and reproductive health based on accurate information and research.
Article 3 of 5 showed that knowing your body, the organs you have internally and externally, is a fundamental benefit because you are beautiful!
Article 4 of 5 spoke on the mental marriage between sex and psychology. Whether you see sex as purely biological or not. Sex is never an isolated occurance, its relational.
Article 5 of 5 summaried that society has everything to do with how we see sex, reproduction and health.
Some of these topics may have hit home for you. Nevertheless many may have led you to believe that sexual and reproductive health are closed gates that you need to unlock. It is difficult to initiate understanding when a topic seems closed off to you, to attempt to open a gate when it seems locked – so to speak. Sexual and reproductive health is one of those topics that seem locked for many of us. Some spend 20 minutes/years playing with codes to unlock the topic with friends, family, children or even partners. Always flashing lights of distress in random spaces to try to understand sexuality and reproductive rights, hooting with aggressive statements to assert sexual freedom because there is an assumption that others think we’re wrong for taking a sexual stance. Overall, the point still remains, it is difficult to initially approach a closed electric gate, in manual open mode unless you accept the invitation that the doors of conversation are always open.
As we move into the next series in our article series, do approach the electric gate of sexual and reproductive health as an open conversation for deliberation, negotiation, discussion and neverending evaluation. Look forward to the next series, get involved, let’s talk… Nasi ‘stoko… aawh John vula i-gate!
Ubusha Bami futsi yimi lo – My youth and this is me! ©