HELPMEKAAR

About the Book

A very rich philanthropist and his social worker wife buy an undeveloped 25,000-acre farm to get away from the pressures, tensions and fears amidst the people of a country in the throes of change. Anybody, who is willing to help them to help him or her to help himself or herself, is welcome to join them in their little “hidey-hole.”

Can a runaway, “wetback” Mexican find refuge and peace for him and his family on the farm? What can a down-and-out, unskilled young man and his wife, still children themselves, and their baby, contribute to Helpmekaar? How can a disgruntled Black civil servant and his equally disillusioned teacher wife fit into the Helpmekaar lifestyle?

Inevitably the happenings in the country affect the community and the affairs of the community have their effect on Helpmekaar. But then there are those who demand what they believe is rightfully theirs and those who deny them because they believe it is their right to do so. And there are those who instigate some to do what is detrimental to them but to the advantage of the instigators. There are those who were freedom fighters and those who fought against them in the bush war.

How can people from such diverse backgrounds, who hold to such a diversity of ideologies and traditions, be helped to help themselves and each other? The people of Helpmekaar can only hold themselves up as working examples and help those who want to help themselves by showing them how to give help to get help.

Perhaps a little pebble tossed into the pond, that is only placid on the surface, could cause small waves that could ring out in ever-widening circles to reach the shores in time. Maybe it is possible to play a game of chess where everybody could be a winner on a Black and White checkerboard.

About the Author

I’m a retired accountant. Retired means I can write and keep myself otherwise occupied than by pestering my wife. Accountant means I have to be kept out of the mischief of telling others how to spend their money.

Numbers are cold and figures are uncompromising. Business correspondence is either dictating or placating and minutes of meetings leave no room for one’s own flights of fantasy. I earned a living in the harsh world of facts and stories got bottled up inside me while I dreamed to escape.

My characters talk a lot and think a lot to express their feelings. Their attitude to events and an underlying motive is more important than the mere occurrence of events. I like to see what I consider to be good to prevail. I want to express myself in my writing to identify with my kindred spirits – be they accountants or plumbers or housewives or whoever.