Welcome to Fifth Word's We Need New Stories.
Episode nine.
Nicolle's Story.
Loving People from a Distance written by Zodwa
Nyoni and directed by Anastasia Osei-Kuffour.
This episode contains references to racial violence.
Hello.
Now we are in the run up to a local election, and
over this time you are going to hear loads of
claims from counselors on what is best for your city.
But I would like you to take some time to think
about who holds the values that best represent you.
It's not just about what they say they can offer you.
It's about whether they're the right person
to speak on your behalf.
Let me introduce myself.
I am Nicole.
I left Zimbabwe in 2002 and moved to Nottingham
to join my mother.
This city is important to me because it helped me heal
heartbreaks that I carried Migration taught me to
love people from a distance to avoid getting hurt.
Feelings were excess luggage I couldn't carry with me
when leaving a hometown.
I arrived as a young girl to a foreign country
that was emaciated.
My mother on 12 hour shifts, and made me question if a
better life was worth her own.
In school, I was othered for an African culture
that once felt like home.
I was in limbo not knowing how to be here, or if I could
go back to a father I missed.
Dearly, but through my education, I joined
societies of international and local people.
Every person made me understand how we lived
alongside each other.
Cacophony of hate turned to community.
Symphonies of Unity Act sing.
Along with I stepped forward believing leaders
could look like me.
My voice became a placard in a protest, grabbing
everyone's attention.
My campaign message was Love understanding and equality.
Your votes stood behind me, and together we pride open
history books, and wrote my name from immigrant to the
first black counselor of HNO Ashfield District Council.
It was never easy, but worth the perseverance.
I was healed by every vote you cast.
It told me that you saw me, you trusted me, and I
was part of your community.
So when I say who people are matters, it's because the
resilience I carry will always keep me fighting for you.
Fighting for you is fighting for me.
We are more than campaign issue.
We are someone's mother, father, sister,
brother, and child.
So if you believe that we should always take care of
each other, cast your vote tomorrow and make me your
next mayor of Nottingham.
And then the jingle will play out and there will
be a picture of me with the words Mayor in bold.
That's quite an advert.
Got a plan ahead.
I'm a go big kind of counselor.
I see the vision.
I don't just see it.
I believe it.
This is why I'm canvassing in your neighborhood.
We have to build the vision together.
Well, if you are who you say you are, you will
definitely have my votes right to the top job.
Thank you for your time today.
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share with others.
All episodes in this series are available on major
listening platforms and on fifth word's website.