The plane juddered to a halt in the hot Johannesburg morning. Walking out into the airport I felt excited but apprehensive. I had no idea what to expect in this totally new country, and most people I asked had just talked about soaring crime and warned me to stay in large groups. On the overnight journey from London, I had started reading ‘Destination South Africa’, a book that chronicles the birth of ISKCON in this unique part of the world. I was amazed to read of how just a handful of devotees in their early twenties, just like me, had started spreading Krishna Consciousness throughout South Africa, primarily through kirtan programs and book distribution. During the apartheid regime that discriminated in the grossest way, grouping races into a strict hierarchy, even this simple preaching was a life risking undertaking. Many decades later, travelling to South Africa to attend a youth kirtan retreat, I felt immensely grateful towards these pioneering devotees. They performed the hard seed planting labour, and now by the mercy of Sri Guru and Gauranga, myself, along with the other members of As Kindred Spirits and all the participating South African youth, were lucky enough to be tasting the fruit of that labour.
We were all in South Africa on the invitation of the Krsna Balarama Youth Group, an enthusiastic team of youth that meet once a week in Johannesburg to have kirtan and discuss Krishna consciousness. Together, in only about three months, they had planned, raised funds and organised a two day retreat to inspire all of the youth, as well as several other kirtan ‘concerts’ in a variety of venues. Months earlier, Kartik prabhu, who heads up the KB Youth Group, had sent a special invitation to As Kindred Spirits to come and take part. Until almost the last minute, the likelihood of this happening seemed slim. However, due to the sincerity and effort of everyone involved, ideas became reality.
Most of the first day was spent gathering everyone together. First came Akincana, all the way from India, then me, from London. Next came Gaura and his family along with Rasa, travelling from Washington DC, and finally Ananta, from New York. We were met by a sizeable crowd of smiling faces, all there to welcome us. After quick introductions, we loaded all of the instruments, equipment and jetlagged band members into the waiting cars, and travelled in convoy to Prema Sindhu and Krsna Vallabha mataji’s house, where some of us were to stay.
Upon arriving at the house we went straight to the temple room. Everyone was feeling travel weary, but as Gaura began a kirtan, we all felt the energy lift. It was wonderful to feel the instant connection between all of us. There was no need for ice breakers. The warm night air came through the open windows as we chanted ever louder, the sweet sound melting every heart.
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