In this episode, we meet with a good friend of mine, Phindile Raseroka. Her story is one of loss and healing. Some time before Phindile became Mrs Raseroka, she lost her mother and father, who she was close with. Phindi's biggest wish was that her parents could be there on the day of her wedding.
To all our listeners, thank you for sharing this journey with us. We have received multiple requests for a Q&A, and we have listened. Our final episode will include some of your questions being answered by me to the best of my ability. We also have a few special guests joining us for the final episode coming out Aug 24th at 7pm. Please send your listener questions to my email address; that’s mrs@tsoseletso.com. Much love.
This is Rice and Roses, an original podcast series produced and brought to you by PieSlovakiaDance.
Episode #6: In Memory Of
{Introduction}
* Music - fade in (countdown - paper planes)
Up up up, Yandi. It is Saturday, and remember, your mommy and daddy promised to spend the whole day with you, in their pyjamas.
*Audio clip: Yandi “for the whole day?”
[chuckle] Yes, for the whole day.
*Audio clip: bed sounds
Now, get your gown, oh, and put on your favourite fluffy slippers, we don’t want your little feet getting cold.
*Audio clip: Child chatter (what about you?)
What about me? Don’t worry about me. Your two best friends are at the door. Enjoy your PJ party.
*Audio clip: Door unlock
*Music - fadeout
Yandi grew up like any other young girl. Her parents were her world. She had neighbourhood friends and attended gog’ Khumalo’s creche down the street. At seven, she went to a local primary school and then a local high school at 14. Though life changed and progressed as she grew older (15, 16, then 18), her mother and father were constant. The older she grew the closer they got.
*Audio clip: Father and daughter laughing
* pause - dead noise
* Music - fade in, sad
* Audio clip: car door slide shut
The last time she would see her dad would be from the back of a taxi, looking back and waving him and her mother goodbye as she made her way to university.
Her father, her best friend, would pass away before she graduated, before she could bring a boy home only for the boy to be chased away; before she would get engaged and get married.
A short story written by my husband for the purpose of this episode.
* Audio clip: Taxi driving away
{Narration: opening}
In this episode, we meet with a good friend of mine, Phindile Raseroka. Her’s and Yandi’s story bear a lot of similarities. Some time before Phindile became Mrs Raseroka, she lost her mother and father, who she was close with.
* Voice clip: Phindi on rents passing
One of Phindi’s greatest wishes was that her parents could have been there to accompany her down the aisle, as she got married to the love of her life.
My name is Lungiswa Ngwaziyamiyaya Mosoeu, I am a wedding dress blogger and newlywed. In this series, I talk with everyday women, like me, who share their stories of how they got their dress and how the traditions they grew up in informed their wedding day decisions. This is Rice & Roses.
*Music - fade out
{Narrator: Sisterly love}
When Phindi’s parents passed in ****, she was not left alone. Her older sister suffered the loss together with her; stepping up to support and love her younger sister. Phindi talks a bit about her parents first born, and the relationship they had growing up.
* Audio clip - Phindi on sister
{Narrator: The romance}
Another, equally important person who stepped in and influenced Phindi's life in a positive way was her husband, Mr Makete Raseroka. Earlier in the season we touched on workplace romances and the percentage of them that lead to long-term love relationships for many couples. Here is another testimony:
* Audio clip - How we met
* Music - fade in
Having your romantic advances denied by a potential suitor sucks. It becomes a funny story to tell only after the pain of having your heart slapped out of your hands right onto the floor has passed *chuckle*. Sadly, rejection is more common than acceptance. Other’s, like Makete, experience this heartache multiple times; but under the right circumstances, persistence often unlocks the prize.
* Music fadeout
{Narration: the Wedding dress}
Soon after, the two fell in love. And with each day the sounds of wedding bells drew near, a signal to the bride and the her beloved dress that they will soon be together.
* Audio clip: Phindi on wedding dress + entourage
{Narration: Sister’s role in wedding}
I asked Phindi what her sister’s role was in her wedding preparations and if she had that motherly sway on decision making.
* Audio clip - Phindi on sister’s role
{Narrator: Candle light}
Throughout our conversation Phindi spoke openly and enthusiastically about many topics. She is an infectiously bubbly person to be around. So, when we got into this next segment, she was still open, but shared a more vulnerable side with some difficulty - understandably so.
* Audio clip: Candle light ceremony
*Music - fade in at the lighting candle part
{Narrator: Uncle Uncle}
The Sunday of their wedding weekend was emotional for the newlyweds. But, the tides flashing and swirling around Phindi’s heart during that weekend had been raised the day before - the day of her white dress, her veil, and her “I do’s”.
* Audio clip: Uncle ruining plans
* Music - fade out
{Narrator: Loss}
Her sister was and still is an anchor in Phindi’s life. She stepped in to provide strength, hope and light when things seemed at their darkest; never wanting her younger sister to feel outcast or alone, without a place in the world. Their bond is unmistakable. But, I wanted to ask Phindi the one question I had been anticipating with great apprehension and fear. What happened?
* Music - fade in
* Audio clip: What happened to Phindi’s parents
* Music - fadeout
{Narrator: Closing - Phindi on her wish}
The end of this story began a new chapter in her life.Each week I end the episode with a monologue about it’s main themes. But, this week I wanted to give Mrs Raseroka more time to share her story and how it’s end opened a new chapter for her.
* Music - fade in
* Audio clip: Phindi on her wish
* Music - fade out
{Narrator: Credits}
To all our listeners, thank you for sharing this journey with us. We have received multiple requests for a Q&A, and we have listened. Our final episode will include some of your questions being answered by me to the best of my ability. We also have a few special guests joining us for the final episode coming out Aug 24th at 7pm. Please send your listener questions to my email address; that’s mrs@tsoseleso.com. Much love.
* Music - fade in
This is Rice and Roses, an original podcast series produced and brought to you by PieSlovakiaDance.
* Effect - PSD call out