Nike Run Jozi - Food for Thought

At 2am this morning I was so restless because earlier that evening I was excited that Nike Running South Africa had re-tweeted my blog of the Nike Run Jozi event and now, in the early hours of the morning, I had a flush of thoughts running through my head. So I got up earlier for work and decided I must write these thoughts down before my work day starts.
You are probably thinking …Kanya what could you possibly be thinking of so early in the morning. Well my imagination had invited me to the Nike Jozi Run board meeting and I was presenting LIVE……

Good Morning, it is such an honour to be here presenting a runner’s feedback and perspective on the Nike Run Jozi Event which took place last week. I have jotted down a few Do-Wells and Do-Differently’s and hopefully this will provide some guidance for your future planning.

At the top of your Do-Wells is your Nike Branding strategy. This event is going to be the talk of Johannesburg for quite a while, so much so that next year you can guarantee the signup for the run is going to be so quick and effortless. The Nike vibe and energy was felt throughout the streets of Johannesburg not only from the runners but also the supporters. But we can’t let it just end there we need this energy to keep the hearts of these people hungry for more.

This leads me to my Do-Differently list – Nike Run Jozi needs to impact the people with great power. You should be an Unforgettable brand in the hearts of the runners AND the people living on the streets. I know there are probably many organisations you could give to but let’s try narrow it down to the ones with the greatest impact – The Children. These are the leaders of tomorrow.

You should have seen how excited the kids on the street were to see us running in their hood. Their faces lit up like we were angels out to give them Hope. Hope that their life on the street would change, Hope that someone of importance has taken the time to pass by their house. When I ran and saw 3 kids running beside me on the side walk…dodging the people, bins, pay meters etc I couldn’t help but think of the scene in Slum Dog Millionaire when the children were running through the slums of India….or the movie/book the Kite-Runner when the children were chasing their Kites. It is something so small that takes them out of their current situation and gives them hope in believing that life will get better. And yes we did give them Hope but Nike lets make it better NOW and for next year.

(this is when I turn to a more serious side of my presentation)

Here are some suggestions:

1. Donating to Philile Hillbrow – a pre-school situated in an old children’s hospital on the border of Hillbrow. Gugu Zulu and Letsego Moshoeu, the wonderful Adventure Couple who were also involved in Run Jozi, did the 94.7 cycle challenge in support of this organisation. Last year our life group tried to raise funds for them but I am sure your support would make an even greater impact to the lives of these children. You can read more about our initiative here


2. Maybe next year hand out reflector bands, lights or glow in the dark sticks to the supporters. That would really get the children excited.

3. As a middle class runner I would have easily paid R100 for this event that is R30 more than what we paid. Maybe next year give runners the option of donating to a certain organisation. Or just up the price by R10 that will be approximately R10*10000= R R100 000 of the Runners money which could go in support of a chosen organisation or issue. It would also make the runners feel like they are running for a purpose not just for a Time.

4. Have each watering hole be in support of a chosen organisation. So at 3km the refreshment stand could be in support for an orgnisation that deals with Drug abuse on the street, 6km - Stopping Crime.. Oh you could even have a live performance from some of the singers from SHOUT SA. Just a thought.

Well thanks again for inviting me to this meeting. I look forward to getting more involved with your plans and event strategies. Goodnight…..zzzzzzzz I finally went to bed at 3:30am.

Dream about Dreams

I don't know if it is because I am seriously sick and under a whole lot of medication ....but last nights dreams were CRAZY and so clear. I thought I would interpret it. This isn’t a new thing. I try interpret dreams all the time……just thought I would publish one.

My Dream:
I was in our apartment alone and it was day light. I remember saying if there was anything evil in the room I would for sure feel it and I didn't feel anything. Then it became darker as in the blinds were closed but it was still day light outside. I for some reason could move things with my mind. I lifted my hand and with out touching it the object would move. I was opening fridges and moving tissue paper. I began to pray out loud " anything that is not of Christ be gone....leave this room." then I lifted my hand and something moved again. I began freaking out why did I have this power and was it really coming from God? I could move things without any effort.
Then I was in a different kitchen in a warm place and I was opening a wedding present and my auntie from Zimbabwe walked in the door and gave me a message (don't know what the message was). Maita was in the room too. We had to move and there were special arrangements being made to fly somewhere to meet with many people. Something had happened but it was like we were expecting it. I didn't feel anything. As in it felt normal..it was the messages I was trying to figure out. Particularly the one message in the wedding card.
I was then taken into my past. A time of growing up in Mananga. I was standing by the mulberry tree where we used to build our tree houses. I saw Nyemu she was a toddler and she was running so fast. I shouted at her "beware of snakes" and thought to myself this child has no fear she just goes. She ran through the bushes and across the grass to Hama who was playing with his friend. Nyemu was telling Hama of a special guest who was visiting. She ran back thru the hedge and greeted this other person (an African child) Hama came through as if he wanted to meet this person but walked passed with a sense of pride. Meanwhile maita and I are still by the mulberry tree. We decided to go say hi. I see a huge tree with many pink flowers that are matching my dress. I ask maita to take a picture of me as she was carrying the camera but she was quiet. She takes it and we walk to go meet this Child.
_________________________________________________________________
My thoughts:
Okay since yesterday was about achieving dreams I think this might have something to do with it.
Moving things with the mind might mean discovering things about myself that I didn’t know I could do or accomplish. The praying relates to my fears of being able to distinguish what I am doing as right or wrong. Is what I am doing what God wants me to do?
The second part is very blurry. It almost feels like it is in the future because I am looking back.
The third part relates to my childhood shortcomings of dealing with a situation. As these people are important in making me who I am today. How they interact with meeting that person (a goal) could possibly be a warning of things to avoid in perusing my dream.

• My fears of Nyemu being too young to do something: relates to my own fears of being inadequate to do something…yet when I let those fears go she succeeded.
• My interactions with maita relate to my self-centeredness. In getting Maita to take a picture of myself made maita focus on me and not on what was important….meeting this person. Warning that self-centeredness can prevent me from succeeding.
• My observation of Hama not greeting this person relate to a pride issue that I may need to deal with or avoid.

These are all just possibilities. Could just be a dream.