Let’s talk
about a man, a man about a shoe, a man about to shine… oh wait, he has already
shone, this man, at the tracks, smack in the middle of the Olympics, the whole world
watching. Certainly confident of his capabilities, he embarked on a journey, a
path walked before by our very own Wilson Kipketer; fear aside, sights set high,
he set out to out-shine history and out-do himself. The city was
London and the year was twenty twelve.
We were all there
singing the song on our lips, about the colours of our national pride, the
black, the white, green and the red, that which unites us and reminds us about
who we are and from where we have come. We know deep in our hearts we can bank
on the dependable, the things common among us, we say we are champions in athletics
and that is because we know we are. We celebrate these things that bring us
together, the little but powerful things we share, like the shoe polish we all
use, that can of Kiwi, a symbol of quality, durability and a shine like no
other, doesn’t matter who you are young or old, Kiwi has got something for you and your shoes; the polish, the wax, the cleaner, the dye, doesn’t matter your preferences,
they got you covered in black, dark tan, light tan, mid tan, brown, burgundy,
neutral, navy blue, you name it.
Rudisha did
it before, and he has done it again, no fear, just faith, the faith that forges
forward, the faith that nurtures and trains for victory, the faith that
consistently and triumphantly wins, the faith that moves mountains and breaks
records, the faith that renews, restores and sets new records. This is the same
faith a mother has in her children, the faith that they will turn out alright,
the faith that they will learn and practice the lessons they learn, that they
will shine in all aspects, hair to shoe, that they will always remember the
basics, like how to maintain their leather shoes; that when you make an
investment in something, you take care of it, you nurture it, you clean it, you
polish it, you make it shine, you make it last longer because that is the
reflection of who you are and where you come from.
This man we
talk about, is a shining star, a knight in shiny gear and shining shoes a son
of the land, home to many a shining stars and he doesn’t let that hinder him
from polishing his own star with a touch of Kiwi, giving it a shine like no other, Kwani hakuna mng’aro kama mng’aro wa Kiwi,
Kiwi hung’arisha, Kiwi huboresha na Kiwi hutunza. His is a touch of speed, steady
lead; a touch of grace, dignified pride; the Midas touch, golden medals; a gentle man, humbling humility; composed, the
perfect portrait of a together young man; a hardworking fellow who takes the
time to groom and takes pride in his appearance; a reflection of his status.
He has brought
us fame and more, taught us lessons lasting forever more: patience, persistence,
resilience and excellence, he is the embodiment of greatness. Poised, even in
the face of unimaginable expectations; he is not, deterred by the deafening cheers
but feeds off the positive energy, the faith of those watching, he is motivated
by the goal ahead, the line at the finish of the 800 metres stretch. The city
was Beijing and the year was twenty zero six
Let’s talk
about the father and the son, let’s remember and celebrate the husband, the father, the
patriot and the passing down of the mantle of ethics, hard work and excellence,
generation after generation of daughters and sons who learn from history, who
hear that inner call and answer boldly, who run not away but towards their
destiny.
