IRéunion

ABANTU bokuqala ababona isiqithi saseRéunion—ekusenokwenzeka ukuba yayingama-Arabhu—babona iparadesi echumileyo. Kwesi siqithi saseRéunion sithe zinzi njengelitye elixabisekileyo eliluhlaza kuLwandlekazi lwaseIndiya, kukho izinto ezininzi ezintle ezahlukahlukeneyo zemvelo kanye njengoko kunjalo kwamanye amazwekazi. Unxweme olunentlabathi ephuma kwintaba-mlilo, iingxangxasi, amahlathi achumileyo, intlaninge yeentyatyambo zasendle, iintlambo ezinzulu, iintaba ezidlakazwe yintaba-mlilo, izigingqi ezibangelwe yintaba-mlilo nesele zimile izityalo, iintaba-mlilo—ezi zezinye zezinto ezikwesi siqithi.

Nangona behlala kwesi siqithi sihle kangaka, kukho enye into entle nangakumbi abayixabise kakhulu abantu abaninzi baseRéunion. Yinyaniso yeLizwi likaThixo. Umvangeli wasemazweni uRobert Nisbet owayethunyelwe kwisiqithi esikufuphi saseMauritius waba ngumvakalisi wokuqala ngqa woBukumkani owathi cakatha unyawo eRéunion. Kwiintsuku nje ezimbalwa elapho uRobert ngoSeptemba 1955, washukumisela abantu ukuba babe nomdla eBhayibhileni, eshiya iincwadi ezininzi ebantwini ebenzela nemirhumo kaVukani! Waqhubeka eqhagamshelana nabantu abanomdla ngembalelwano.

Phakathi kowe-1955 nowe-1960, uRobert nomveleli wamasebe uHarry Arnott babemana betyelela kwesi siqithi. Ngowe-1959, isebe laseFransi lacela uAdam Lisiak uvulindlela owayevela eFransi nowayesidla umhlala-phantsi, owayeyinzalelwane yasePoland, ekhonza eMadagascar ukuba atyelele eRéunion. UAdam wahlala inyanga yonke kaDisemba 1959 kwesi siqithi. Wabhala wenjenje: “Abemi balapha abangama-90 ekhulwini ngamaKatolika azinikeleyo kodwa abaninzi bayafuna ukwazi okungakumbi ngeLizwi likaThixo nehlabathi elitsha. Abefundisi bazama ukuthintela umsebenzi wokusasaza inyaniso. Enye indoda ixelele umntu othile orhumela uVukani! ukuba umfundisi  wasekuhlaleni uboleka incwadi ethi ‘UThixo Makabe Nenyaniso.’ ‘Makazokuyiboleka ngokwakhe,’ uphendule ngelitshoyo umrhumeli kaVukani! Akakhange afike loo mfundisi.”

UKUFIKA KONCEDO OLUVELA EFRANSI

Isebe laseFransi, elalinyamekela umsebenzi ngelo xesha, lacela abavakalisi abafanelekayo ukuba bafudukele eRéunion. Intsapho yakwaPégoud—uAndré, uJeannine noChristian, unyana wabo oneminyaka emithandathu ubudala—nesalamane sabo uNoémie Duray, basabela kolo bizo. Bafika ngenqanawa ngoJanuwari 1961. UNoémie owayebizwa ngokuba nguMimi, wakhonza njengovulindlela okhethekileyo iminyaka emibini ngaphambi kokuba abuyele eFransi.

Zisuka nje, bafumana abantu abaninzi abanomdla kangangokuba babeqhuba iintlanganiso kwigumbi ababehlala kulo ehotele kwisixeko esilikomkhulu saseSaint-Denis. Isakuba ifumene indlu le ntsapho, iintlanganiso zaqhutyelwa kuyo. Malunga  nonyaka emva koko, iqela elalisandul’ ukusekwa laseSaint-Denis laqesha iholo encinane eyayinokuhlala abantu abangama-30. Yayakhiwe ngamaplanga, ifulelwe ngamacangci, ineefestile ezimbini ezincinane nomnyango omnye. Emva kokufumana imvume, abazalwana baqhekeza iindonga ezingaphakathi, bakha iqonga elincinane baza bafakela izitulo ezide zamaplanga ezazingenayo indawo yokungqiyama.

Xa ilanga ligqats’ ubhobhoyi ngentsasa yangeCawa, uphahla lwamacangci lwalubangela kutshise nangakumbi kuloo holo ngokukodwa kwabo bemi eqongeni kuba iintloko zabo zazikufuphi kakhulu nophahla yaye babebila bathi xhopho. Ngapha koko, ngenxa yokuba iholo yayidla ngokuzala ime ngeembambo, abaninzi babesima ngaphandle bakrobe ngeefestile nasemnyango nto leyo yayibangela ukuba kungangeni nomncinane umoya kwabangaphakathi.

“UMSEBENZI MNINZI!”

Nakuba babehlanganisana kwezo meko zinzima, bonke abantu babesenziwa bazive bamkelekile kwiintlanganiso yaye ngasekupheleni konyaka wokuqala, abangama-50 babesiza rhoqo ezintlanganisweni. Abavakalisi boBukumkani banda baba sixhenxe yaye babeqhuba izifundo zeBhayibhile ezingama-47! Abanye abasebatsha babefunda kabini ngeveki. Abazalwana babhala bathi, “Uvuyo esinalo aluthetheki kodwa umsebenzi mninzi.”

Omnye wabafundi abatsha beBhayibhile yayinguMyriam Andrien, owayeqalise ukufunda eMadagascar ngowe-1961. Uthi iholo ekuthethwe ngayo ngasentla yayisetyenziswa njengeHolo yeNdibano maxa wambi. Abazalwana babeye bazame ukuyandisa le holo ngokuxokomezela amasebe esundu. Abantu ababesiza kwezo ndibano babesiba li-110.

Abanye babantu ababhaptizwayo eMauritius ngo-Oktobha 1961, nguDavid Souris, uMarianne Lan-Ngoo, noLucien Véchot, yaye bonke baba negalelo elikhulu kumsebenzi wokushumayela. Ngonyaka wesibini inani labavakalisi landa laya kutsho kuma-32 yaye uvulindlela ngamnye wayeqhuba izifundo zeBhayibhile ezingama-30! Inani labantu abeza kwiintlanganiso zangeCawa lenyuka laya kutsho kwi-100 yaye kwakusiza abantu beentlanga ezahlukahlukeneyo.

 Abemi abaninzi baseRéunion abangamaIndiya bangamalungu onqulo oluntlu-mbini—oludibanisa ubuKatolika nobuHindu. Kwabanye kwakunzima ukwahlukana nemikhwa ababeyenza. Kodwa abazalwana bafumana imiphumo emihle ngenxa yomonde, ububele nobungqongqo ngokuphathelele oko kulungileyo. Ngokomzekelo, elinye ibhinqa elaliqhutyelwa isifundo ngomnye uvulindlela kangangeminyaka emibini laqhubeka lisiya kunqulo lobuxoki, lingumxeli-thamsanqa yaye lihlala nendoda elalingatshatanga nayo. Lo vulindlela wagqiba kwelokuba esi sifundo asinike omnye udade ukuze abone ukuba akanakusinceda kusini na yena. Lo dade uthi: “Emva kweenyanga ezimbalwa, inyaniso yaya ikhanya ngakumbi kweli bhinqa yaye ndavuya kakhulu xa liyeka ukusebenzelana nemimoya. Kodwa lalingekawubhalisi umtshato ngokusemthethweni. Lathi indoda elihlala nayo ayifuni kuzibophelela ngomtshato. Ekugqibeleni, lenza isigqibo sokuba liza kuhlala nale ndoda ngoko kwanyanzeleka ukuba ndiyeke ukufunda nalo.

“Ngenye imini ndadibana neli bhinqa esitratweni yaye landicela ukuba siphinde siqalise ukufunda. Ndathi singaphinda sifunde ukuba liza kuzisebenzisa izinto esele lizifundile. Ndalicebisa ukuba lithandaze kuYehova yaye lakwenza oko. Emva koko, laba nesibindi sokuthetha ngokuphandle nendoda elalihlala nayo. Lavuya ngokungathethekiyo xa le ndoda ivuma ukubhalisa umtshato. Ngaphezu koko, le ndoda yaqalisa ukuya kwiintlanganiso nenkosikazi yayo.”

Ebudeni bonyaka wenkonzo we-1963, inani labavakalisi boBukumkani lenyuka izihlandlo ezii-11 yaye ekugqibeleni laya kutsho kuma-93. Ngelo xesha, eRéunion kwakukho amabandla amabini neqela elinye. Abantu bokuqala ababhaptizwayo kwesi siqithi babhaptizwa ngoDisemba 1962 kunxweme lwaseSt.-Gilles-les Bains yaye babengama-20 bebonke. Ababekwiqela lesibini babhaptizwa ngoJuni 1963, yaye bona babengama-38. Kwesi siqithi saseRéunion, ngowe-1961 umvakalisi om-1 wayejongene nabemi abangama-41 667. Kwiminyaka emithathu kamva, umvakalisi om-1 wayejongene nabemi abangama-2 286. Ewe, uYehova ‘wayelikhulisa’ ilizwi kwesi siqithi sichumileyo ngokomoya.—1 Kor. 3:6.

 UKUDLULISELA ISIGIDIMI SOBUKUMKANI KWIMIMANDLA ETHE QELELE

Ngowe-1965—emva kweminyaka emine intsapho yokuqala engamaNgqina ifikile—abavakalisi bebandla laseSaint-Denis babengaphezu kwe-110 yaye intsimi yabo babeyigubungela rhoqo ngeeveki ezintathu! Kanti yayikho imimandla ekwakungekashunyayelwa kuyo. Yayiza kuconjululwa njani le meko? Abazalwana baqesha iibhasi ukuze bakwazi ukushumayela kwezinye iidolophu ezigudle unxweme, kuquka iSaint-Leu, iSaint-Philippe, neSaint-Pierre.

Kwakuhanjwa iiyure ezininzi xa kusiyiwa kweminye imimandla, ngoko abazalwana babehamba kwakusasa kwiindlela ezicutheneyo, ezingamathambeka nezingamajikojiko. Ukusuka eSaint-Denis ukuya kwisixeko saseLe Port, okuthabatha imizuzu eli-15 namhlanje, kwakuthabatha iiyure ezimbini ngaloo mihla. “Kwakufuneka ube nokholo ukuze uhambe kwezo ndlela,” utsho njalo omnye umzalwana. Kwanangoku ezi ndlela ziseyingozi, kuba kukho amatye aqengqelekela endleleni. Kukho iintaba eziphakamileyo ezikufuphi nendlela yaye maxa wambi ngenxa yeemvula ezinkulu la matye ayawa, amanye awo makhulu ngeyona ndlela. Baninzi abantu abaye babulawa ngala matye.

UChristian Pégoud uthi: “Xa ndandineminyaka emalunga nesibhozo, iqela lethu lalidla ngokuhambisa ooVukani!  abangama-400 ukusa kwabangama-600 kwimimandla ethe qelele. Iphephancwadi IMboniselo lalingafunwa ngurhulumente. Ngenxa yokuba abanye abayeni ababengakholwa babekuthanda ukuphuma, babesiza namakhosikazi abo kodwa bangashumayeli. Xa siphuma kwinkonzo yasentsimini sasisiba nepikniki yaye thina bantwana sasiwanandipha gqitha loo mathuba. Ngokuqinisekileyo, amathuba anjengala andikhuthaza kakhulu.”

UHLENGAHLENGISO ENTLANGANWENI LWABANGELA ULWANDO

NgoMeyi 1963, uMilton G. Henschel waba ngummeli wokuqala ovela kwikomkhulu owatyelela eRéunion. Wanikela intetho ekhethekileyo kubantu abali-155. Emva kotyelelo lwakhe abavakalisi abane bamiselwa njengoovulindlela abakhethekileyo ukuze banyamekele amabandla, basebenze nakwimimandla ezazingekashunyayelwa kuyo iindaba ezilungileyo. UDavid Souris wathunyelwa eLe Port, uLucien Véchot wathunyelwa kwisixeko saseSaint-André, yaye uMarianne Lan-Ngoo noNoémie Duray (ongowakwaTisserand ngoku) bathunyelwa eSaint-Pierre.

NgoMeyi 1, 1964, umsebenzi wayeka ukwalathiswa eFransi waza waqalisa ukwalathiswa eMauritius. Ngaphezu koko kwavulwa indawo yokothula iincwadi eRéunion. Kwangaxeshanye, abavakalisi babekhuthazwa ukuba basebenze intsimi engabelwanga bani yaye abazalwana babekhuthazwa ukuba bazabalazele  ukusingatha iimbopheleleko ezingakumbi zebandla ukuze bakwazi ukunyamekela abantu abatsha abangena enyanisweni. Eneneni ngonyaka wenkonzo wowe-1964, kwabhaptizwa abangama-57—abangama-21 babhaptizwa kwindibano enye!

Kunyaka ongaphambili, iqela laseSaint-André lalifake isicelo sokuba limiselwe njengebandla. Esi sicelo sasisithi: “Ekupheleni kukaJuni 1963, siza kube sinabavakalisi ababhaptiziweyo abali-12 yaye mhlawumbi kwiinyanga ezimbini ezizayo siza kube sinabanye abavakalisi abatsha aba-5 okanye aba-6. Abazalwana baqhuba izifundo zeBhayibhile ezingama-30.” Esi sicelo samkelwa yaye eli bandla lalinyanyekelwa ngabazalwana ababini—uJean Nasseau waba sisicaka sebandla okanye umveleli owongamelayo encediswa nguLucien Véchot. Kwakungekapheli neminyaka emibini besenyanisweni.

UJean owayeneminyaka engama-38 ubudala wayakhekile ngomzimba yaye enobubele kakhulu, wayengumqeqeshi kwisikolo sobugcisa ekwangumakhi onamava. Wabhaptizwa ngowe-1962 yaye wayelichule enawo namava nto leyo yaba luncedo ekuhambiseleni phambili umsebenzi woBukumkani. Eneneni, iHolo yoBukumkani yesibini yaseRéunion wayakha ngeendleko zakhe kwisiza sakhe esasiseSaint-André. Le holo yayomelele yakhiwe kakuhle ngamaplanga yaye yayinokuhlala abantu abangaphezu kwama-50. Namhlanje asibhozo amabandla aye amiselwa kummandla owawufudula unyanyekelwa liqela laseSaint-André. UJean wafa ngowe-1997 ethembekile kuYehova.

Iqela lesithathu elasekwa ekuqaleni kweminyaka yee-1960 lelaseLe Port, isixeko esikufuphi nezibuko yaye kweli qela kwakukho nabantu abanomdla baseSaint-Paul, eyayikumgama weekhilomitha ezisibhozo kwicala elingasezantsi. Kwesi sixeko saseLe Port, kwakukho amakhaya akhiwe ngamaplanga ajikelezwe ngamatyholwana. UDavid Souris waqesha indlu yaye wayeqhubela iintlanganiso kuyo. NgoDisemba 1963, eli qela lafaka isicelo sokuba limiselwe njengebandla. Kwakukho abavakalisi boBukumkani abali-16, besi-8 ababhaptiziweyo yaye babechitha iiyure ezingama-22,5 kwinkonzo yasentsimini nyanga nganye. UDavid nomzalwana owayemncedisa babeqhuba izifundo zeBhayibhile ezingama-38! Kwintetho yesidlangalala eyanikelwa  ngumveleli wesiphaluka owayetyelele ngaloo nyanga, kwakuze abangama-53.

Kwathunyelwa oovulindlela abakhethekileyo eLe Port, uChristian noJosette Bonnecaze. UChristian wayebhaptizwe eFrench Guiana waza wafudukela eRéunion ekuqaleni kweminyaka yee-1960. Ngelo xesha wayengekatshati yaye kwintsapho yakowabo yayinguye kuphela osenyanisweni. UMzalwan’ uSouris wafudukela kwenye indlu evulel’ indawo uChristian noJosette ukuba bahlale kwindlu ekwakuqhutyelwa kuyo iintlanganiso. Noko ke, ekuhambeni kwexesha eli bandla litsha lakhula kangangokuba esi sibini kwafuneka naso siye kufuna enye indawo yokuhlala!

Ubukhulu becala abemi balo mmandla babengamaKatolika yaye abefundisi baqalisa ukuphembelela abantu ukuba bachase amaNgqina. Emini, abantwana babegibisela abavakalisi ngamatye baze ebusuku bawagibisele phezu kwezindlu zabazalwana.

Umfundi omtsha weBhayibhile uRaphaëlla Hoarau wayebazi abanye babo bantwana. Ngenye imini emva kokuba abantwana begibisele omnye umzalwana ngamatye, waya kumakhaya aba bantwana. Wathi: “Ukuba nikhe naphinda nagibisela umntakwethu ngamatye ndiya kunibonisa amaqhekez’ engqele.”

Baphendula bathi: “Uxolo Mam’ uHoarau. Besingazi ukuba ngumntakwenu.”

 URaphaëlla wangena enyanisweni neentombi zakhe ezintathu yaye enye yazo egama linguYolaine, yatshata noLucien Véchot.

Nakuba kwakukho loo nkcaso yayiphenjelelwa ngabefundisi, inzondelelo yabazalwana nentsikelelo kaThixo yabangela ukuba kubekho ibandla elomeleleyo eLe Port yaye iholo yayizala ime ngeembambo. Eneneni, abaninzi babephulaphula behleli ngaphandle. Izitulo zazibekwa yonk’ indawo, naseqongeni kwakukho izitulo ezazihlala abantwana bajonge ngakubaphulaphuli. Ekugqibeleni, abazalwana bakha iHolo yoBukumkani entle yaye namhlanje kukho amabandla amathandathu kuloo mmandla.

OOVULINDLELA BAYAKHOKELA

Omnye wabo babengoovulindlela eRéunion phambili phayaa nguAnnick Lapierre. UMyriam Thomas uthi: “UAnnick wafundela mna noMama. Wandikhuthaza ukuba ndizibhokoxe kubulungiseleli yaye ndamxelela ukuba ndifuna ukuba nguvulindlela. Emva kweenyanga ezintandathu ndabhaptizwa. Emva phaya, sasishumayela kuso sonke esi siqithi yaye sasidla ngokuhamba ngeenyawo kuba kwakungekho zibhasi, neemoto zazimbalwa. Noko ke, uMzalwan’ uNasseau wayenayo imoto yaye sasidla ngokuhamba naye xa sisiya enkonzweni yasentsimini.  Sasiwuthanda kakhulu umsebenzi wokushumayela yaye sasikhuthazeka ngeyona ndlela.”

UHenri-Lucien Grondin oyintloko-ntsapho uthi: “Sasisoloko sikhuthaza abantwana bethu ukuba babe ngoovulindlela. Abaveleli beziphaluka babegxininisa ukubaluleka kokunika uYehova konke esinako. Unyana wethu omdala uHenri-Fred oneminyaka engama-40 ubudala wazikhethela ukuba kwinkonzo yexesha elizeleyo.”

UHenri-Fred uthi: “Ebandleni lethu kwakukho ulutsha oluninzi olwalukhuthele enkonzweni. Olunye lwalubhaptiziwe kanti abanye abafana nam babengekabhaptizwa. Ngeeholide zesikolo, sonke sasichitha iiyure ezingama-60 kubulungiseleli basentsimini. Usukelo lwezinto zokomoya lwahlala luthe thaa ezingqondweni zethu yaye namhlanje ndikhonza njengomveleli wesiphaluka kunye nenkosikazi yam uEvelyne.”

INKCASO YEEDEMON

Ukusebenzelana nemimoya kuyinto exhaphakileyo eRéunion. UJeannine Corino (owayefudula engowakwaPégoud) uthi: “Kwidolophana yaseLa Montagne, ndadibana nenye indoda eyathi iza kufaka oonotaka kunodoli indiqalekise. Andizange ndiyive kakuhle ukuba ithetha ukuthini ngoko ndacela ibhinqa endandiliqhubela isifundo seBhayibhile ukuba lindicacisele. Lathi: ‘Le ndoda ligqirha ngoko iza kuthumela imimoya ukuba ikwenzakalise.’ Ndaliqinisekisa eli bhinqa ukuba uYehova uyabakhusela abo bathembela kuye ngokupheleleyo. Nangoku ke akukho nto imbi yandehlelayo.”

Omnye umzalwana uthi xa wayesakhula babedla ngokwenza isithethe esithile njengentsapho sokunxibelelana nemimoya. Ngowe-1969, wadibana namaNgqina kaYehova waza waqalisa ukufunda iBhayibhile. Noko ke, iidemon zazizama ukumthintela ngokumenza abe sisithulu xa ekwiintlanganiso. Sekunjalo, waqhubeka esiya kwiintlanganiso yaye wacela ukuba abazalwana bamrekhodele iintetho ukuze aziphulaphule akufika ekhaya. Kungekudala, iidemon zamyeka yaye emva koko waqalisa ukuba nenxaxheba kwinkonzo yasentsimini.—Yak. 4:7.

Ngowe-1996 uRoséda Caro, ibhinqa elalihamba enye yeecawa zoMoya, waqalisa ukufundisisa iBhayibhile namaNgqina.  Wayengasaboni kakuhle kuba wasebenzisa icebiso labahlobo bakhe awayehamba nabo icawa, lokuba ayeke ukusela amayeza okunyanga isifo seswekile. Umyeni wakhe uCledo, owayekwiqela lasekuhlaleni lamaKomanisi wayesoyikwa ekuhlaleni kuba wayendlongondlongo. Wayesebenzisa nobugqwirha esiba nenxaxheba nakwimisitho yamaHindu yaye kamva wangena kwicawa yoMoya.

Wathi uRoséda akuqalisa ukufunda, uCledo wamchasa wada wasongela nabadala bebandla. Kodwa ayizange imoyikise loo nto uRoséda. Kwiinyanga ezithile kamva, uCledo wasiwa esibhedlele yaye ngoxa wayelapho wafa isiqaqa. Wathi akubuyela ezingqondweni kamva kwafika amaNgqina amabini emphathele isuphu yaye yena wacinga ukuba yeyenkosikazi yakhe.

Aba dade bathi, “Mnumzan’ uCaro yeyakho le suphu!”

UCledo uthi: “Kwandichukumisa kakhulu oku. Akukho nalinye ilungu lecawa yoMoya elakha landityelela ukanti amaNgqina kaYehova amabini—bantu abo endandibachasa ngokukrakra—andizisela ukutya. ‘UYehova, uThixo wenkosikazi yam, ukho ngokwenene,’ ndatsho entliziyweni yam. Emva koko ndathandaza ngentliziyo, ndicela ukuba mna noRoséda simanyane elukholweni.”

 UCledo akazange asuke nje enze esi sicelo. Ngaphambi kokuba agule, isimo sakhe sengqondo sasisele sitshintshile noko yaye wavumela inkosikazi yakhe ukuba iye kufundela kwammelwane. Ngenye imini wathi kuRoséda nodade owayemqhubela  isifundo: “Ayilunganga le nto yokuba nifundele phaya. Yizani nizokufundela ekhaya.” Ngokwenene la mabhinqa enjenjalo. Nakuba wona ayengakwazi oko, uCledo wayephulaphula ekwelinye igumbi yaye waba nomdla ngokwenene kwizinto awayeziva. Nangona uCledo wayengakwazi ukufunda, wathi akuphila wafunda kabini ngeveki yaye wabhaptizwa ngowe-1998. Nakuba bekhathazwa yimpilo ngenxa yokwaluphala, uCledo noRoséda basaqhubeka bekhonza uThixo ngokuthembeka.

UKUFIKELELA KWIMIMANDLA ESEMAGQAGALENI

Abantu abambalwa baseRéunion bahlala kwimimandla esemagqagaleni ekude nolwandle ejikelezwe ziintaba eziphakamileyo ezifikelela kwiimitha ezili-1 200 ukuphakama nangaphezulu. Abanye bahlala kwimimandla yeentaba eziphakamileyo ezakha zaba nentaba-mlilo. Abanye baba bantu balubona manqaphanqapha ulwandle okanye abaluboni kwaukulubona. Ngokomzekelo, indlela yokufikelela kummandla waseCirque de Mafate kukubetha ngezikaTshiwo okanye ngehelikopta kuphela.

ULouis Nelaupe oyinzalelwane yamakhoboka awayevela eAfrika wakhulela eCirque de Mafate. Ngoxa wayesengumfana wakha wakhwelisa umfundisi ongumKatolika enqweleni. Kamva uLouis wafudukela eSaint-Denis apho wafika wafumana inyaniso. Njengoko kulindelekile, wafuna ukuxelela izalamane zakhe ngonqulo lwakhe olutsha. Ngoko ngenye imini ngowe-1968, uLouis nenkosikazi yakhe uAnne nabanye oodade ababini, oneminyaka eli-15 noneminyaka engama-67 ubudala, benjenjeya behamba ngeenyawo ukusinga kwimimandla esemagqagaleni. Babephethe ibhegi exwaywa emqolo, isutikheyisi, nebrifkheyisi eyayizele ntli ziincwadi.

Baqala bahamba kwindlela egudle udonga lomlambo emva koko benyuka intaba ngendledlana emxinwa emajikojiko. Kwezinye iindawo, yayiba liliwa eliphakamileyo kwelinye icala, ibe ngumwonyo kwelinye. Babehamba beshumayela indlela le yonke. ULouis uthi: “Ngobo busuku uYehova wasinyamekela esebenzisa omnye umnini-venkile ekwakukuphela kwakhe kweso sithili. Wasilalisa kwindlu enamagumbi amabini aneebhedi  nekhitshi. Ngentsasa elandelayo savuka senjenjeya saya kutsho kwithambeka lentaba eziimitha ezili-1 400 ukuphakama saya kungena kwisigingqi esingathi libala lemiboniso.

“Ekugqibeleni, safika kwikhaya lomhlobo wam wakudala owasamkela ngobukhulu ububele. Ngemini elandelayo, sashiya eminye yemithwalo yethu kuye saza saqhubeka nohambo lwethu sihamba sisitya iigwava ezincinane ezizikhulelayo endle sishumayela kubantu abathobekileyo abangazange basive isigidimi soBukumkani ngaphambili. Safika kwindlu yesinye isalamane sam ngentsimbi yesi-6:00 ngokuhlwa. Savuya kakhulu xa sisibona saza sapheka isidlo esimnandi esinenyama yenkuku yaye oku kwasikhumbuza ngoAbraham noSara, abondla iingelosi zikaThixo. (Gen. 18:1-8) Kambe ke, ngoxa isalamane sam sasipheka, thina sasisishumayeza. Ekugqibeleni, satya ngentsimbi ye-11:00 ebusuku.

“Ngemini elandelayo ngoLwesine, sajikeleza loo ngingqi sihamba sisitya iigwava sityelela onke amakhaya esasiwafumana. Enye indoda enobubele yasenzela ikofu yaye sakhe sathi vu saphumla okwexeshana—sasingayekanga ke phofu ukushumayela! Le ndoda yayinandipha ngokwenene ingxubusho yeBhayibhile esaba nayo kangangokuba yasikhapha xa sisiya kweminye imizi ekumgama wekhilomitha ukusuka ekhayeni layo ihamba ikhalisa ifleyiti.

“Ekugqibeleni sabuyela kulaa mzi sasishiye imithwalo yethu kuwo saza salala khona. Saya kufika emakhaya ngokuhlwa ngoLwesihlanu yaye sobane—kuquka udade wethu othandekayo oneminyaka engama-67 ubudala—sasihambe umgama omalunga neekhilomitha ezili-150, satyelela amakhaya angama-60, sasasaza iincwadi ezingaphezu kwe-100. Eneneni, sasidiniwe kodwa sasihlaziyekile ngokomoya. Inkaba yam ikuloo mmandla waseCirque de Mafate.”

KWAKUKHO ABAVAKALISI ABABINI NGOKU KUKHO AMABANDLA AMAHLANU!

Ngowe-1974, uChristian Pégoud nonina bafudukela kwidolophu yaseLa Rivière engakumzantsi yaye ngelo xesha kwakungekho bandla apho. UChristian owayeneminyaka engama-20  ngelo xesha uthi: “Iintlanganiso sasiziqhubela kwigaraji yethu yaye kungekudala inani labantu abeza kwezi ntlanganiso lenyuka laya kutsho kuma-30. Ndaqalisa isifundo nelinye ibhinqa kunye nentombi yalo uCéline, owayethenjiswe umtshato ngu-Ulysse Grondin. U-Ulysse owayenguphuma-silwe womKomanisi wayengafuni ukuba uCéline afunde nathi iBhayibhile. Noko ke, uCéline wakhuthaza u-Ulysse ukuba asiphulaphule isigidimi sethu yaye uMama waya kumtyelela nabazali bakhe. Kwasivuyisa kakhulu ukuba basamkele isigidimi esasize noMama. Yonke le ntsapho yaqalisa ukufunda yaye ngowe-1975, u-Ulysse noCéline babhaptizwa baza batshata. Kamva u-Ulysse wamiselwa njengomdala.”

UChristian uhlabela mgama: “Ngaphandle kwentsimi yaseLa Rivière, sasisebenza nemimandla esemaphandleni njengeCilaos, iLes Avirons, iLes Makes, neL’Étang-Salé. Babenomdla kakhulu abantu baseLes Makes. Kukho ummandla waseLe Cap ongaphaya kwale dolophana, okumda wendawo eyayinentaba-mlilo. Xa ukule ndawo ngemini ezolileyo, ulibona kakuhle ithafa elihle elithe rhwelele luhlaza elikumgama weemitha ezingama-300 ngasezantsi.”

Kukho intsapho yakwaPoudroux eyayinomzi kufuphi naseLe Cap. Unyana walapho wamazibulo uJean-Claude, uyabalisa: “Mna nabaninawa bam abane noodadewethu abahlanu sasidla ngokuncedisa uTata sityale imifuno ukuze siyithengise emarikeni. Wayetyala neentyatyambo ezintle aze enze ngazo isinongo esisetyenziswa xa kusenziwa iziqholo zomzimba, aze asithengise. Sasihamba umgama oziikhilomitha ezintlanu xa sisiya esikolweni yaye maxa wambi sithwele imifuno. Ngamanye amaxesha xa sigoduka sasibuya sithwele iiplastiki ezinokutya ezimalunga neekhilogram ezili-10 ubunzima.

“UTata wayezibhokoxa emsebenzini yaye sasimhlonela kakhulu ngenxa yoko. Kodwa njengabanye abantu abaninzi balapha ekuhlaleni wayeyindla-manzi, yaye wayesiba ndlongo-ndlongo xa ephantsi kwempembelelo yotywala. Mna kunye nabantakwethu sasidla ngokubukela izinto ezimasikizi ekhaya yaye oku kwakusenza sikhathazeke ngekamva lentsapho yasekhaya.”

 UJean-Claude uhlabela mgama: “Ngowe-1974 ndadibana nomnye uvulindlela. Ndandingutitshala eLa Rivière. Ngenxa yohanahaniso nokungabikho sikweni endandikubona ezicaweni, ndandisele ndithandabuza ukuba uThixo ukho. Sekunjalo, ndachukumiseka xa lo mzalwana esebenzisa iBhayibhile ekuphenduleni imibuzo yam yonke. Mna nenkosikazi yam uNicole, saqalisa ukufundisisa iBhayibhile. Satyelela intsapho yasekhaya ukuze sabelane nayo ngenyaniso yeBhayibhile, sasidla ngokuxubusha kuhambe ubusuku nabantakwethu. Maxa wambi, abazali bam babephulaphula xa sixubusha.

“Kungekudala, abaninawa bam uJean-Marie noJean-Michel nodadewethu uRoseline baqalisa ukuza rhoqo kwam ukuze baphulaphule xa kuqhutywa isifundo. Senza inkqubela sonke ngokomoya, saba ngabavakalisi saza sabhaptizwa sonke ngowe-1976. Okubuhlungu kukuba, uTata wandityhola ngelithi ndinempembelelo embi kubantakwethu waza wandiqumbela akandithethisa. Wayeneengcwangu kangangokuba kwakufuneka ndimphephe xa ndidibana naye phakathi kwabantu!

“Nangona uMama wayengakwazi ukufunda waqalisa ukufundisisa iBhayibhile. Okuvuyisayo kukuba ekugqibeleni uTata wasitshintsha isimo sakhe sengqondo. Enyanisweni, naye waqalisa ukufundisisa iBhayibhile ngowama-2002. Namhlanje, angama-26 amalungu entsapho yakowethu abhaptiziweyo. Ndim nabantakwethu abasithoba, amaqabane ethu omtshato noMama osenenzondelelo nakuba sele aluphele. UJean-Michel noJean-Yves bakha bakhonza njengabaveleli besiphaluka kodwa baphinda bayeka ngenxa yeengxaki zempilo. Bobabini bangabadala bebandla yaye uJean-Yves ukhonza njengovulindlela kunye nenkosikazi yakhe, uRoséda. Mna nonyana wam wamazibulo sikhonza njengabadala.”

Ekufikeni kukaChristian Pégoud nonina ngowe-1974, eLa Rivière nakwiidolophu ezikufuphi nayo kwakungekho mabandla kodwa ngoku kukho amabandla amahlanu. Elinye likwidolophu yaseCilaos, phezulu kwincopho yeCirque de Cilaos ummandla odume ngemithombo esentabeni namaqula anamanzi ashushu. Laqalisa njani iBandla laseCilaos? Ukususela ngowe-1975 ukusa kowe-1976, rhoqo ngooLwezine abavakalisi baseLa Rivière babehamba umgama weekhilomitha ezingama-37,  kwindlela ecutheneyo nengamajikojiko—eyayinamatye athanda ukuwela endleleni—baye kushumayela eCilaos de kubethe intsimbi yesi-5:00 emva kwemini. Oko kwaba nemiphumo emihle kuba ngoku kukho abavakalisi abamalunga nama-30 kule dolophu yaye baneHolo yoBukumkani.

INKQUBELA YOKOMOYA EMZANTSI

Siyaqondakala isizathu sokuba abantu balapha babize inxalenye esemazantsi yeRéunion ngokuba “ngumzantsi ondlongo-ndlongo.” Amaza amakhulu alatyuza aye kutsho kunxweme olomileyo kuze kulephuze amagwebu amhlophe, kummandla weRéunion othandwa yintaba-mlilo, iPiton de la Fournaise (Incochoyi Eneziko Elibomvu). Idolophu yaseSaint-Pierre yeyona dolophu inkulu kuloo mmandla. Ngasekupheleni kweminyaka yee-1960, kwathunyelwa oovulindlela abakhethekileyo uDenise Mellot noLilliane Pieprzyk. Kamva, njengoko babesiya besanda abantu abanomdla kwathunyelwa uMichel Rivière owayenguvulindlela okhethekileyo nenkosikazi yakhe, uRenée ukuba baye kusebenza naba dade babini.

Umntu wokuqala ukuqhutyelwa isifundo seBhayibhile kulo mmandla yayinguCléo Lapierre, umakhi owangena enyanisweni ngowe-1968. UCléo uthi: “Intlanganiso yokuqala endaya kuyo yayiqhutyelwa phantsi komthi omkhulu. ‘IHolo yoBukumkani’—ishedi eyayiziimitha ezintathu eziphindwe ngeemitha ezintathu—yachithwa ukuze kwakhiwe isakhiwo esikhudlwana endancedisayo ekwakhiweni kwaso.”

Kwangaloo nyaka uCléo, owayesele eqeqeshwe njengejoni wabizelwa emkhosini. UCléo uthi: “Ndisebenzisa ulwazi oluncinane lweBhayibhile endandinalo, ndabhalela abasemagunyeni ndichaza ukuba andisathabathi cala kwezopolitiko. Andizange ndifumane mpendulo, ngoko ndaya kwiziko lomkhosi laseSaint-Denis kwelinye icala lesiqithi ukuze ndiye kuqonda ngalo mcimbi. Omnye umphathi wamajoni wathi mandigoduke kodwa ndilindele ukuvalelwa entolongweni. Ngoko ke, ndandihleli ndithandaza yaye ndikukhuthalele nokufunda. Kungabanga thuba  lide, ndabizwa kwakhona. Ekufikeni kwam, ndacela umzalwana endandihamba naye ukuba andilinde kangangeyure. ‘Ukuba kuphele iyure ndingekabuyi uze wazi ukuba ndivalelwe,’ ndatsho kulo mzalwana. ‘Uze uncede ke uthengise imoto yam, imali uyinike inkosikazi yam.’

“Ndathi xa ndingena ndaphawula ukuba abaphathi-mkhosi baphikisana ngento amabayenze ngam. Emva kwemizuzu enokuba ngama-45, omnye umphathi-mkhosi weza kum.

“‘Hamba umk’ apha!’ watsho lo mphathi. ‘Goduka.’

“Ndahamba nje umganyana wandibiza kwakhona. Sele ethethela phantsi ngoku, wathi: ‘Ndiyanihlonela. Ndakha ndeva kuthethwa  ngamaNgqina kaYehova eFransi kodwa ndiyaqala ukudibana nomnye wawo.’

“Ngelo xesha yayindim kuphela umzalwana eSaint-Pierre, ngoko ndandiqhuba zonke iintlanganiso zebandla. Noko ke, abazalwana babemana befika baze kundincedisa yaye ngowe-1979 kwafika uAntoine noGilberte Branca ababengabavangeli basemazweni.”

 UKWAKHIWA KWEHOLO YOBUKUMKANI

Ekuqaleni, amabandla namaqela ayedla ngokuhlanganisana ezindlwini nasemakhayeni abazalwana. Noko ke, ngenxa yokuxhaphaka kweenkanyamba kwafuneka kwakhiwe izakhiwo ezomeleleyo. Kodwa izakhiwo zamatye nezitena zixabisa imali eninzi yaye ukwakhiwa kwazo kuthabatha ixesha elide. Noko ke, isandla sikaYehova asisifutshane, ekuhambeni kwexesha zaqalisa ukubakho iiHolo zoBukumkani ezakhiwe ngale ndlela eRéunion.—Isa. 59:1.

Ngokomzekelo, kwidolophu yaseSaint-Louis kukho umzalwana oselula owayefundela ukwakha ngamatye nezitena yaye  kanye ngelo xesha ibandla lafumana iplani yeHolo yoBukumkani. Lo mzalwana uselula wanikela ubungqina kutitshala wakhe waza wamxelela ngeholo eyayiza kwakhiwa, wamchazela ukuba iza kwakhiwa ngabasebenzi bokuzithandela. Wasabela njani utitshala? Weza nalo lonke iqela labafundi ukuze aze kuliqeqesha kwisakhiwo seholo! Aba bafundi bemba umngxuma wesiseko waza utitshala kamva wanikela ngentsimbi eyayiza kusetyenziswa ekubekeni isiseko.

Abazalwana benza amalungiselelo okuba kugalelwe ikonkile eli-190 eesikwemitha ngemini yeholide yaye abasebenzi bokuzithandela abangaphezu kwekhulu bafika ngenj’ ixukuxa. Noko ke, amanzi ayevaliwe ngaloo mini kule dolophu! Omnye umzalwana owayesazi umphathi wesebe lezicima-mlilo wacinga icebo lokuya kuchaza le ngxaki kulo mphathi unobubele yaye ngoko nangoko wathumela ilori yezicima-mlilo eyayithwele amanzi awaneleyo.

Emva kokuba iHolo yoBukumkani igqityiwe, enye indoda eyayinomdla enyanisweni yachukunyiswa yindlela abasebenza ngayo abazalwana yaza yanikela ngetsheki yaye loo mali yanela ukuba kuthengwe umatshini omtsha wesandisi-lizwi. Xa wayetyelele eMauritius ngoDisemba 1988, uCarey Barber olilungu leQumrhu Elilawulayo waya kunikela intetho yonikezelo eRéunion. IHolo yoBukumkani yokuqala eyakhiwa ngendlela ekhawulezayo yagqitywa ngowe-1996 eSt.-Gilles-les Bains. Namhlanje, kukho iiHolo zoBukumkani ezili-17 kwesi siqithi ezisetyenziswa ngamabandla angama-34.

 ZIZA KUQHUTYELWA PHI IINDIBANO EZINCINANE?

Umsebenzi wokushumayela eRéunion waba nesiqalo esihle kangangokuba kwaba nzima ukufumana iindawo ezinkulu ekwakunokuqhutyelwa kuzo iindibano. Ngowe-1964, abazalwana baceba ukuba nendibano yesiphaluka yokuqala. Noko ke, emva kweenyanga befuna indawo yokuqhubela indibano, bafumana indawo yanye kuphela—ivenkile yokutyela ekwigumbi eliphezulu eSaint-Denis. Esi yayisisakhiwo esidala samaplanga yaye nexabiso lokusiqesha lalixhomile. Abanini-sakhiwo bathi  kunokwanela abantu abangaphezu kwama-200 yaye lelo nani kanye elalilindelekile.

Ekubeni yayingekho enye indawo, abazalwana basiqesha esi sakhiwo yaye enye indoda enobubele yanikela ngomatshini wesandisi-lizwi. Bathi bakufika abazalwana ngemini yendibano, umgangatho wesi sakhiwo waqalisa ukutshixiza kodwa zange udilike. Abantu ababezile ngeCawa babengama-230 yaye kwabhaptizwa abangama-21.

Kungekudala emva koko, uLouis Nelaupe, umzalwana owayekhulele eCirque de Mafate, wanikela ngenxalenye yomhlaba wakhe owawuseSaint-Denis ukuba kwakhiwe iHolo yeNdibano yokwexeshana. Kwakhiwa isakhiwo samaplanga esingenabugocigoci nesivulekileyo, esasifulelwe ngamazinki saza emacaleni savalwa ngamagqabi esundu alukiweyo.

Indibano yokuqala eyaqhutyelwa apho yindibano yesithili yeentsuku ezintathu. UMyriam Andrien ongomnye wabo babekho kule ndibano uthi: “Ngentsasa yokuqala saya enkonzweni sabuya satya isidlo sasemini esiqhwethayo—isidlo samaCreole esenziwe ngerayisi, iimbotyi nenkuku kwaza kwafakwa ipepile. Abantu abangakuqhelanga ukutya okuqhwethayo benzelwa irougail marmaille, okanye ichutney.”

IHolo yeNdibano yayimana isandiswa njengoko babesiya besiba baninzi abantu abeza endibanweni yaye yayikwasetyenziswa njengeHolo yoBukumkani. Ekuhambeni kwexesha, iintsapho ezazihlala kumagumbi aqeshisayo kwisiza sikaLouis esasineholo, zemka yaye wanikela ngaso sonke eso siza ebandleni. Namhlanje kweso siza, kukho iHolo yoBukumkani entle esetyenziswa ngamabandla amabini aseSaint-Denis.

Ngowe-1997, kwakhiwa iHolo yeNdibano kwidolophu yaseLa Possession kwisiza esasithengwe kwiminyaka emihlanu ngaphambilana. Le holo ivulekile emacaleni yaye kwakhiwe nechibi lobhaptizo eqongeni. Kunokuhlala abantu abali-1 600 kuyo yaye isetyenziswa izihlandlo ezili-12 ngonyaka, kuqhutywa iindibano ezincinane nezinkulu. Kufuphi nale holo kukho ikhaya labavangeli basemazweni elinokuhlala abantu abasithoba. Kukwakho nendawo yokothula iincwadi neofisi enyamekela intsimi yaseRéunion.

 ZIZA KUQHUTYELWA PHI IINDIBANO EZINKULU?

Ngaphambi kokuba abazalwana babe neHolo yeNdibano, babeqesha iBala Lemidlalo YeOlimpiki laseSaint-Paul ukuze baqhubele khona iindibano zesithili. Sekunjalo, kwakudla ngokufuneka bafune enye indawo ngomzuzu wokugqibela kuba ezemidlalo namanye amatheko asekuhlaleni ayegqalwa njengabalulekileyo ngaphezu kwendibano. Ekuhambeni kwexesha umasipala wacela abazalwana ukuba basebenzise ibala lemiboniso elikufuphi nelo bala lezemidlalo. Ekubeni eli bala lenzelwe imiboniso, akukho zihlalo okanye phahla ngoko abantu abeze apho kwakufuneka baziphathele izitulo neeambrela. Ngenxa yoko, abantu abaseqongeni babengaboni buso babaphulaphuli koko babebona iiambrela ezimibalabala.

“Ngesinye isihlandlo, umasipala wanika amaqela amabini ibala lezemidlalo ngaxeshanye,” itsho njalo ingxelo evela kwiofisi yaseRéunion. “Elinye iqela yayiziimvumi zaseMartinique ezazidlala umculo we-zouk—umxube womculo waseAfrika, ireggae necalypso. Abasemagunyeni bakhetha ukunika iqela le-zouk ibala lezemidlalo saza thina sanikwa ibala lezolonwabo elibizwa ngokuba yiThe Cave of the First Frenchmen, ibala awahlala kulo amaFrentshi ukuqala kwawo ukufika kweli. Eli bala lalikwindawo entle, emva kwalo kukho amawa aphakamileyo nemithi emininzi enomthunzi, kodwa kwakungekho zihlalo, izindlu zangasese zimbalwa yaye kungekho qonga.

“Noko ke, ngesi sihlandlo savuya kuba sifumene eli bala kuba ngokuhlwa ngoMgqibelo wendibano, kwabakho isiphango yaye zonke iingcingo zombane kwibala lezemidlalo zabethwa lizulu yaba iyaphela ke loo konsathi ye-zouk. Kwibala esasikulo elalikumgama weekhilomitha ezintlanu akuzange kwenzeke  nento le. Abantu basekuhlaleni bada bathi ‘sisohlwayo esivela kuThixo.’”

UPHUCULO ENTLANGANWENI

NgoJuni 22, 1967, kwamiselwa umbutho osemthethweni obizwa ngokuba yiAssociation Les Témoins de Jéhovah (Umbutho wamaNgqina kaYehova). NgoFebruwari 1969 kwafika umveleli wesiphaluka wokuqala kwesi siqithi, uHenri Zamit, owazalelwa eAlgeria waza wakhulela eFransi. Isiphaluka awayekhonza kuso sasiquka amabandla amathandathu aseRéunion namabandla amane aseMauritius kuquka amanye amaqela abavakalisi abakwanti. Namhlanje eRéunion kuphela, kukho iziphaluka ezibini.

Ngowe-1975, IMboniselo eyayivalwe kangangeminyaka engama-22 eFransi yaphinda yavunyelwa ngokusemthethweni yaye abazalwana balisebenzisa ngoko nangoko eli phephancwadi kwintsimi yaseRéunion. Ngaphambili babesebenzisa iBulletin intérieur. Yayishicilelwa eFransi yaye inenkcazelo efanayo naleyo ikwiMboniselo kodwa yayinganikwa abantu basentsimini. NgoJanuwari 1980 isebe laseFransi laqalisa ukushicilela uBulungiseleli Bethu BoBukumkani obabulungiselelwe abavakalisi baseRéunion nezinye iziqithi ezikuloo mmandla. Kwakhona, ukuze kungenelwe abantu abathetha isiCreole saseRéunion, ezinye iimpapasho—kuquka amaphecana, iincwadana ezinemifanekiso nencwadi ethi Ulwazi Olukhokelela Kubomi Obungunaphakade—ziye zaguqulelwa kolu lwimi. La malungiselelo mahle okomoya aye aluncedo ekuhambiseleni phambili iindaba ezilungileyo kulo mmandla wehlabathi ukude.

Enyanisweni, xa ithelekiswa nommandla omkhulu woLwandlekazi lwaseIndiya, iRéunion incinane kakhulu. Kodwa indumiso esuka kwesi siqithi eya kuThixo inkulu kakhulu! Oku kusikhumbuza amazwi omprofeti uIsaya athi: “Naseziqithini mabaxele indumiso [kaYehova]”! (Isa. 42:10, 12) Ngamana amaNgqina kaYehova aseRéunion angaqhubeka exela loo ndumiso ngokuthembeka njengamaza aluhlaza aqhubeka elatyuza kunxweme lwesi siqithi esithandwa ziintaba-mlilo.

 [Ibhokisi/Imifanekiso ekwiphepha 228, 229]

IINKCUKACHA NgeRéunion

Ukuma komhlaba

Esi siqithi simalunga neekhilomitha ezingama-65 ubude neekhilomitha ezingama-50 ububanzi yaye iRéunion sesona siqithi sikhulu kwiiMascarene Islands—iMauritius, iRéunion, neRodrigues. Kufuphi nombindi wesi siqithi kukho izigingqi (calderas) ezikhulu ezithathu ezinabemi nezinohlaza, ezabakho xa kwagqabhuka intaba-mlilo eyayinkulu ngeyona ndlela.

Abantu balapho

Ubukhulu becala, abemi balapha abangama-785 200 ngumxube wama-Afrika, amaTshayina, amaFrentshi, amaIndiya nabo bamnombo wabo ukuMzantsi-mpuma weAsia. Abemi balapha abangamaKatolika bamalunga nama-90 ekhulwini.

Ulwimi lwabo

Ulwimi olusetyenziswayo ngokusemthethweni sisiFrentshi kodwa olona lwimi luthethwayo sisiCreole saseRéunion.

Indlela abazixhasa ngayo

Eyona nto bashishina ngayo abantu balapha ngummoba nezinto ezenziwa ngawo, njengemolasses nerum yaye bashishina nangezokhenketho.

Ukutya kwabo

Okona kutya kutyiwa kakhulu apha yirayisi, inyama, intlanzi, iimbotyi neelentile. Zikho nezinye izinto ezilinywayo apha ngaphandle kommoba, yikhokhonathi, iilitshi, ipapaya, ipayinapile, ikhaphetshu, iletisi, itumato nevanilla.

Imozulu

IRéunion ingasentla kancinane kweTropic of Capricorn, imozulu iyatshisa kakhulu yaye inolophu, imvula ina ngamaxesha awahlukahlukeneyo kwimimandla ngemimandla kanjalo namaqondo obushushu akafani. Inkanyamba ixhaphakile.

 [Iimaphu]

(Ukuba ufuna inkcazelo ehlahlelwe kakuhle, yiya kwimpapasho)

Madagascar

Rodrigues

Mauritius

Réunion

RÉUNION

SAINT-DENIS

La Montagne

La Possession

Le Port

Saint-Paul

St.-Gilles-les Bains

CIRQUE DE MAFATE

CIRQUE DE SALAZIE

Cilaos

CIRQUE DE CILAOS

Saint-Leu

Le Cap

Les Makes

Les Avirons

L’Étang-Salé

La Rivière

Saint-Louis

Saint-Pierre

Saint-Philippe

Piton de la Fournaise

Saint-Benoît

Saint-André

[Imifanekiso]

Ifoto efotwe ngumntu osesibhakabhakeni

Intaba-mlilo

Saint-Denis

[Ibhokisi ekwiphepha 232, 233]

Imbali Emfutshane NgeRéunion

Oomatiloshe bamandulo bama-Arabhu babiza esi siqithi ngokuba yiDina Morgabin (Isiqithi EsiseNtshona). Ekuqaleni kweminyaka yee-1500, oomatiloshe basePortugal babona esi siqithi esasingenabemi ngelo xesha yaye basibiza ngokuba yiSanta Apollonia. UJacques Pronis ongumFrentshi wayibanga iSanta Apollonia njengephantsi kolawulo lwaseFransi ngowe-1642 xa wagxothela apho abavukeli abali-12 ababevela eMadagascar. Ngowe-1649 yathiywa ngokuba yi-Île Bourbon, igama lendlu yasebukhosini yaseFransi. Xa iHouse of Bourbon yasuswayo kwisikhundla sasebukhosini ngowe-1793 ngexesha leMvukelo yamaFrentshi, esi siqithi sabizwa ngokuba yiRéunion kukhunjulwa umanyano lweParis National Guard nabavukeli baseMarseille. Emva kokuba kwenziwe iinguqulelo ezingakumbi, ngowe-1848 iRéunion yaphinda yaba ligama elamkelekileyo lesi siqithi. Ngowe-1946, esi siqithi saba sisithili esiphantsi kweFransi.

Ekuqaleni kweminyaka yee-1660, iFransi yazenzela ithanga kwesi siqithi yaza yalima amasimi ekofu naweswekile, abasebenzi ababesebenza kula masimi yayingamakhoboka avela eMpuma Afrika. Emva kokupheliswa kokushishina ngamakhoboka ngowe-1848, iFransi yathumela izicaka, ubukhulu becala ezazivela eIndiya nakuMzantsi-mpuma weAsia. Abemi besi siqithi beentlanga ezingumxube bavela kwezi ntlanga. Ekuqaleni kweminyaka yee-1800, abemi balapha banciphisa ekulimeni ikofu yaye eyona nto yayithunyelwa kakhulu kwamanye amazwe ngummoba.

 [Ibhokisi/Imifanekiso ekwiphepha 236, 237]

Umphakamisi Weentsimbi Waba Nguvulindlela Okhethekileyo

ULUCIEN VÉCHOT

WAZALWA Ngowe-1937

WABHAPTIZWA Ngowe-1961

INGXELO NGOBOMI Wayesisigantsontso esiphakamisa iintsimbi, wakhonza njengovulindlela okhethekileyo ukususela ngowe-1963 ukusa kowe-1968 yaye ubekhonza njengomdala ukususela ngowe-1975.

NGOWE-1961, ngenye imini endingasokuze ndiyilibale ndaya emzini womhlobo wam uJean ngenjongo “yokumhlangula” kumaNgqina kaYehova. Inkosikazi kaJean yandicela ukuba ndifike kuba isoyika ukuba abaprofeti bobuxoki, ibhekisela kumaNgqina, baza kuxambulisana nabo baze bahlasele umyeni wakhe!

Ndathi kum ngaphakathi, ‘Ukuba bakhe bamchukumisa, ndiya kubabetha kanobom.’ Kodwa aba bantu babezolile yaye bethetha izinto ezivakalayo, babengekho ndlongo-ndlongo kwaphela. Ndaba nomdla kakhulu kwingxubusho yomnqamlezo yaye amaNgqina abonisa ngokucacileyo ngokusuka eBhayibhileni ukuba uYesu wafela esibondeni okanye emthini.

Kamva, ndabuza ukuba wayethetha ukuthini umprofeti uDaniyeli xa wayesithi uMikayeli isiphatha-zingelosi ‘umela’ abantu bakaThixo. (Dan. 12:1) AmaNgqina andichazela ngokusuka eZibhalweni ukuba uMikayeli nguYesu Kristu yaye ‘ubemile,’ okanye ubelawula njengoKumkani woBukumkani bukaThixo, ukususela ngonyaka we-1914. (Mat. 24:3-7; ISityhi. 12:7-10) Ndamangaliswa kakhulu zezi mpendulo nayindlela amaNgqina ayazi ngayo iBhayibhile. Ukususela ngoko, xa amaNgqina ekho ekuhlaleni ndandisebenzisa elo thuba ndixubushe iLizwi likaThixo kunye nawo. Ndandide ndiwalandele xa engena indlu ngendlu ndize ndibandakanyeke kwiingxubusho  zawo. Kungekudala, ndaqalisa ukunxulumana neqela elikwanti elalihlanganisana eSaint-André.

Ukuqala kwam ukuya kwiintlanganiso, ezinye iziqendu zeBulletin intérieur eyayisetyenziswa ngelo xesha endaweni yeMboniselo, zafundwa ndim nakuba ndandingakwazi ukufunda ngokutyibilikayo. Emva nje kokuba ndibhaptiziwe, ndacelwa ukuba ndiqhube isifundo sencwadi kuba kwakungekho bazalwana. ‘Ndiza kusiqhuba njani isifundo sencwadi?’ Ndazibuza lo mbuzo. Eyiqonda inkxalabo nokungaqiniseki endinako, uJeannine Pégoud wacebisa ukuba uza kufunda iziqendu ndize mna ndibuze imibuzo eshicilelweyo. Ngokwenene senza ngaloo ndlela yaye isifundo saqhubeka ngokutyibilikayo.

Xa uMilton Henschel ovela kwikomkhulu watyelela eRéunion ngowe-1963, wakhuthaza abo bafanelekayo ukuba bacinge ngokungenela inkonzo yobuvulindlela obukhethekileyo. Ndandifuna ukunikela ngako konke endinako kuYehova, ngoko ndafaka isicelo saza samkelwa. Ndabelwa kwisixeko saseSaint-André, yaye ekuhambeni kwexesha ndandiqhuba izifundo zeBhayibhile ezisithoba.

Ibandla elitsha lalihlanganisana kwikhaya likaJean Nasseau. Xa uJean waphuka inyonga kwingozi yemoto, kwafuneka ndinyamekele ibandla kangangeenyanga ezintandathu. Ndandinikela iintetho, ndiqhube iSikolo Sobulungiseleli Sobuthixo neNtlanganiso yeNkonzo, ndilungise nengxelo ukuze ithunyelwe kwiofisi yesebe—konke oku kwandinika ithuba lokufumana amava angakumbi.

Ingxaki esasinayo entsimini yayingabantu abaneenkolelo, ezazibangelwa kukudideka ngenxa yokudibanisa ubuKatolika nobuHindu. Sekunjalo, abantu ngokuthe ngcembe babezamkela iindaba ezilungileyo. Eneneni, amalungu enye intsapho awangena enyanisweni, angama-20. Namhlanje, kukho amabandla amahlanu kummandla waseSaint-André.

[Ibhokisi/Imifanekiso ekwiphepha 238]

Ukholo Lwam Lwavavanywa Ngokugculelwa

UMYRIAM THOMAS

WAZALWA Ngowe-1937

WABHAPTIZWA Ngowe-1965

INGXELO NGOBOMI Uye waqhubeka enguvulindlela ukususela ngowe-1966.

UKUQALA kwam ukushumayela nomzala wam uLouis Nelaupe ngowe-1962, sasisamkelwa kuyo yonke imizi. Abantu babesipha ikofu, ilemonade, babede bafune ukusipha nerum! Noko ke, kungabanga thuba lide, umfundisi wabafaka umoya wezikhova abaninzi. Abanye babesigculela maxa wambi bahlekise ngegama likaThixo. Kwenye idolophu abantu babesigibisela ngamatye.

Ngenxa yoko, abanye bethu bayeka ukusebenzisa igama likaThixo kubulungiseleli. Umveleli wesiphaluka wakuphawula oku waza wabuza isizathu. Xa sasimchazela isizathu, sajika saneentloni kwathina. Noko ke, wasiluleka ngobubele waza wasikhuthaza ukuba sibe nenkalipho ngakumbi. Sasixabisa kakhulu esi siluleko yaye sasigqala njengesivela kuYehova. (Heb. 12:6) Eneneni, ukuba bekungekho ngenxa yomonde kaThixo, inceba yakhe nomoya wakhe oyingcwele, ngendayeka kudala ukuba nguvulindlela. Kunoko, ndiye ndakwazi ukuchitha iminyaka engaphezu kwama-40 kwinkonzo yobuvulindlela.

 [Ibhokisi/Umfanekiso okwiphepha 246, 247]

UYehova Wandixhasa Ngexesha Lobunzima

USULLY ESPARON

WAZALWA Ngowe-1947

WABHAPTIZWA Ngowe-1964

INGXELO NGOBOMI Ngomnye wabantu bokuqala ababhaptizwayo eRéunion, wavalelwa iminyaka emithathu entolongweni kuba engafuni ukuya emkhosini.

NDAFUMANA inyaniso ngoxa ndandineminyaka eli-15 ubudala yaye abazali bam bandigxotha. Kodwa oko akuzange kundityhafise kwisigqibo sam sokukhonza uYehova. Ndaqalisa ukuba nguvulindlela othe ngxi ngowe-1964 yaye ngowe-1965 ndaba nguvulindlela okhethekileyo. Kwakhona ndaba nelungelo lokuncedisa kumsebenzi wokwalathisa kwibandla laseSaint-André nelaseSaint-Benoît. Mna noJean-Claude Furcy sasidla ngokuhamba ngeebhayisikile sisuke kwelinye ibandla siye kwelinye, ibandla laseSaint-André lalinabavakalisi abali-12 yaye abaseSaint-Benoît babeba-6.

Ngowe-1967 ndabizelwa emkhosini. Ndachaza ukuba njengoko ndingumKristu andinako ukuphakamisa izigalo. Sekunjalo, kuba yayiqala ukuviwa into enjalo eRéunion abasemagunyeni abazange basiqonde isizathu sam yaye abazange basamkele. Enyanisweni, umphathi wamajoni wandibetha phambi kwamadoda amalunga nama-400 awayeze kuqeqeshwa njengamajoni waza wemka nam ndingxivela wandisa eofisini yakhe. Wabeka iyunifom phezu kwedesika yakhe waza wathi mandiyinxibe kungenjalo uza kuphinda andibethe. Esi sigantsontso sendoda eziimitha ezisisi-1,8 ubude sonda ngam. Sekunjalo, ndaba nesibindi ndaza ndathi, “Ukuba uyandibetha kwakhona, ndiza kukumangalela kuba umthetho waseFransi usinika inkululeko yokuzikhethela unqulo.” Evutha ngumsindo lo mphathi wamajoni, wasondela kum kodwa wazibamba. Emva koko wandisa kumphathi-mkhosi yaye yena wathi ndiza kuya kusebenza nzima iminyaka emithathu eFransi.

Ndasebenza loo minyaka mithathu kungekhona eFransi kodwa eRéunion. Yaye andizange ndisebenze nzima. Emva kokuba iwise isigwebo, ijaji yandibizela eofisini yayo. Yancuma yaza yandixhawula yandichazela ukuba iyavelana nam, yachaza ukuba njengejaji inyanzelekile ukuba inamathele emthethweni. Isekela lomphathi-ntolongo lalinobubele yaye lenza ilungiselelo lokuba ndisebenze kwindlu yamatyala. Ngenye imini lada laya nam kwigumbi labatyeleleyo liye kubona abazali bam nelinye ilungu lebandla.

Ekuqaleni, ndandihlala namanye amabanjwa angama-20 ukuya kwangama-30 esiseleni kodwa ekuhambeni kwexesha ndafakwa kwisisele esihlala abantu aba-2 nto leyo yabangela ukuba ndibe nenkululeko engakumbi. Ndacela isibane sombane yaye okumangalisayo kukuba ndasinikwa. Ngokuqhelekileyo izixhobo ezisebenza ngombane azivumelekanga eziseleni kuba amabanjwa asenokuzama ukuzibulala ngazo. Eso sibane sandinceda ndakwazi ukufundisisa iBhayibhile ndafunda nezifundo zeaccounting. Ekukhululweni kwam ngowe-1970, ijaji yandifumanela umsebenzi.

[Ibhokisi ekwiphepha 249]

Ubungozi Benkanyamba

NgoFebruwari 1962, iNkanyamba ebizwa ngokuba nguJenny yathwaxa ummandla weRéunion neMauritius, nto leyo yabangela ukuba uLwandlekazi lwaseIndiya luphuphumele kwimimandla ekufuphi nalo ngokukodwa iRéunion. ESaint-Denis izakhiwo zonakala, amagqabi emithi avuthuluka yaye ezindleleni kwakuzele amasebe emithi eyaphukileyo. Iipali zombane zazixabe endleleni neengcingo zombane zijinga phezu kwendlela. Okumangalisayo kukuba kwakungekho monakalo kwiHolo yoBukumkani encinane. Loo nkanyamba yabulala abantu abangama-37, kwenzakala abangama-250 yaye amawakawaka abantu asala engenandawo zokuhlala. Ngelo xesha, abazalwana babesendibanweni eMauritius yaye apho inkanyamba ayizange yonakalise kakhulu. Basinda ekwenzakaleni nangona kwafuneka balinde iintsuku ezithile ngaphambi kokuba bagoduke.

Ngowama-2002, iNkanyamba ebizwa ngokuba nguDina yakhukulisa umhlaba waza waba yingqumba eyavala indlela eya eCilaos kangangeeveki ezintathu. Ngokukhawuleza, iofisi yaseRéunion yalungiselela ukuba kuthunyelwe kubazalwana balapho abangama-30 izibonelelo ngeveni etsala ngamavili amane. Le veni yayilandela ezinye ezili-15, phambili iyeyamapolisa. Inxalenye yendlela yayikhukulisekile yaye olo ngcelele lweemoto kwakufuneka lugudle udonga lomlambo kwezinye iindawo luphinde lubuyele endleleni. Hayi indlela abavuya ngayo abazalwana baseCilaos xa le veni ifika!

 [Isicangca/Igrafu ekwiphepha 252, 253]

ULUHLU LWEZIGANEKO IRéunion

Ngowe-1955 Utyelelo lukaRobert Nisbet ngoSeptemba.

1960

Ngowe-1961 Intsapho engamaNgqina evela eFransi ifumana abantu abaninzi abanomdla.

Ngowe-1963 UM. G. Henschel ovela kwikomkhulu lehlabathi unikela intetho kubantu abali-155.

Ngowe-1964 Umsebenzi awusalathiswa eFransi koko walathiswa eMauritius; bangama-230 abantu ababeze kwindibano yesiphaluka yokuqala kwesi siqithi.

Ngowe-1967 IAssociation Les Témoins de Jéhovah ibhaliswa ngokusemthethweni.

1970

Ngowe-1975 IMboniselo iyamkeleka kwakhona ngokusemthethweni eFransi.

1980

 Ngowe-1985 Inani labavakalisi lingaphezu kwe-1 000.

1990

Ngowe-1992 Inani labavakalisi lingaphezu kwama-2 000. Iofisi yesebe ithenga isiza eLa Possession ukuze kwakhiwe iofisi yaseRéunion, iHolo yeNdibano nekhaya labavangeli basemazweni.

Ngowe-1996 IHolo yoBukumkani yokuqala eyakhiwe ngokukhawuleza iyagqitywa ukwakhiwa.

Ngowe-1998 Kuqhutywa indibano yokuqala kwiHolo yeNdibano yaseLa Possession.

2000

Ngowama-2006 Abavakalisi abakhutheleyo eRéunion bamalunga nama-2 590.

[Igrafu]

(Yiya kwimpapasho)

Inani Labavakalisi

Inani Loovulindlela

1 000

2 000

3 000

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

 [Umfanekiso ozalise iphepha, kwiphepha 223]

[Umfanekiso okwiphepha 224]

UAdam Lisiak washumayela eRéunion isithuba esingangenyanga, ngowe-1959

[Umfanekiso okwiphepha 224]

UNoémie Duray, uJeannine Pégoud nonyana wakhe uChristian, xa babesinge eRéunion, ngowe-1961

[Umfanekiso okwiphepha 227]

IHolo yoBukumkani yaseLe Port, ngowe-1965

[Umfanekiso okwiphepha 230]

Iibhasi ezivulekileyo ezaziqeshwa xa kuyoshunyayelwa, ngowe-1965

[Umfanekiso okwiphepha 230]

UJosette Bonnecaze

[Umfanekiso okwiphepha 235]

UJeannine Corino

[Umfanekiso okwiphepha 235]

Ukunikela ubungqina eSaint-Paul, ngowe-1965

[Umfanekiso okwiphepha 243]

UCléo Lapierre

[Imifanekiso ekwiphepha 244, 245]

ULouis noAnne Nelaupe banikela ubungqina kwiidolophana ezisemagqagaleni behamba besitya iigwava endleleni

ECirque de Mafate

[Umfanekiso okwiphepha 248]

IHolo yoBukumkani esele igqityiwe yaseSaint-Louis, ngowe-1988

 [Imifanekiso ekwiphepha 251]

Iindibano Ezincinane Nezinkulu

Indibano yokuqala yaqhutyelwa kwivenkile yokutyela eyayikwigumbi eliphezulu, ngowe-1964

IThe Cave of the First Frenchman, ibala lendibano

Indawo yokuhlanganisana yokwexeshana, eSaint-Denis, ngowe-1965