Are we really in South Africa?

Tuesday, 7 September 2010

Created by: Teresa

Breakfast – another treat from Koena – freshly baked muffins – Yum! Are we really in So. Africa?

Back to the community center for another morning of painting. We were joined by an actual painter – Sikoh, plus numerous other young men – who once again outnumbered the paint rollers. James and Olga head out for Mthatha to purchase more paint and rollers. Dot demonstrated her extreme stair-master skills by climbing solo up and down from her painting table.

Teta – still waiting for pre-school children – added Xhosa words to an English picture dictionary and then taught Michael Jackson moves to the lone child visiting the C.C. (Community Center). Dot, feeling quite limber from her morning exercise, joined the thriller dance line.

Teresa put her mother hat on as one of the younger men asked her about what struggles he can expect in a serious relationship. The conversation segued into the challenges a young man faces in the village: no employment opportunities and much peer pressure to do drugs. This “Teachable Moment” centered around being a force for good for other young men.

We were joined by Rev. Vuyo, a friend of Rev. Spiwo’s who shared with us that it is natural for men to need and have at least two wives; therefore, it is legal in So. Africa. He stressed that women do not have this need and are not allowed to marry more than one man.

After our break for lunch, we returned to the C.C. for an afternoon of tutoring. Olga and James finally returned from Mthatha joining us for an afternoon of teaching map and math skills, play, and much singing and dancing. Dot was quite impressed with the curiosity of some teenagers about economic development and marital relationships. But, Olga put things into perspective best – frustrated by traffic delays in Mthatha and overwhelmed by the chaotic frenzy of the city. She was grateful for the quiet of the village, laughter of the children, and the cooperative learning taking place in the C.C.

Our final activity for the day involved a visit to the village’s Sangoma, a traditional healer. She was called to this vocation by the ancestors when she was 12 years old and accepted her calling at the age of 25. She gave us a keen insight into the strong cultural traditions and beliefs which still exist in Africa.

Back home for another Koena creation – beef stew and rice – and I ask again, “Are we really in So. Africa?”

Thought for the Day (from Teta): Life is like developing a photograph. When you have a negative, you enter the dark room to process it and end up with a positive image and a beautiful photograph. –Reggie, the cab driver