Freedom.

The dictionary describes freedom as firstly the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants and secondly, the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.

ALSO READ: LOCKDOWN BLOG: Finding peace in the garden – Day 10

Oh, how I have missed the freedom to run, walk, cycle, gym, swim, kayak or visit the beach.

So many things we take for granted, and the ability to move freely is certainly one of them.

Freedom is an interesting concept – and it begs the question – are we truly free?

I don’t believe we are.

Safety and security play a big role in most South African’s lives, and many of us already live in caged homes complete with burglar bars and security gates.

Just to add a cherry to the top, we recently got barbed wire erected along our fence.

One could easy mistaken our home for a prison camp.

Several months ago, I had an intruder follow me into the kitchen and and pinch my wallet off the table.

For weeks I did not feel safe, and my freedom of movement was compromised.

I constantly felt the need to tightly bolt the windows and doors, in case he might decide to come back.

During this lockdown period my thoughts have been with former president Nelson Mandela, and I find many of the quotes from his book, Long Walk to Freedom have hidden depths.

This is one of my favourite quotes by Madiba, who spent 27 years in jail.

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom.”

So much has changed in 11 days.

And while we can’t wait to have our freedom back I think so much more is going to change in the days to come so I’m prepping my bird cage for brighter days.