The Lotus of South Africa
A literary club that uses stories to explore the question:
What enables some people to remain true to their path, even when everything around them is falling apart?
“The lotus flower blooms most beautifully from the deepest and thickest mud.” – Buddhist Proverb
Sometimes it feels like South Africa has been bouncing from one crisis to another for so long that some of these crises have become our new normal. It’s not just one failure, it’s regular pattern.
There’s this lingering, heavy belief that whatever could go wrong already has…
… until something else breaks and leaves us scratching our heads.
But every now and then, we hear a good story, a simple story about humans choosing the right path over the easy one.
In this session, we examine the characters in these stories and ask:
What (or who) is their guiding light that enables them to be like a lotus; not only existing in muddy water, but growing within it and emerging intact?
You do not need to be a literature expert or an activist to attend. This space is for anyone who enjoys thoughtful conversation.
We come together to explore ideas rooted in a story…
Each session is structured, yet open enough to allow meaning to unfold.
We begin with a South African story grounded in lived experience (nonfiction and fiction).
Together, we move through a simple but deliberate process drawing out the gold in the story and tracing them back to our own lives.
We share our perspectives with each other and engage openly.
After the formal session, we open breakout rooms for those who want to stay to continue conversation and connect with others.
Our weekly series is hosted virtually, making it accessible to audiences wherever they are.