Mark Campbell, Carl Eifert, Dan Richardson,
Terry Caddo, Bryan Welage and Russ Jenisch
Dave presenting Tina and
Frikkie with a gift
Jackson, Moses (w/Paul's uekelele, me and Derek)
The morning began with Russ taping interviews capturing everyone’s thoughts and emotions surrounding the week’s events. The impact of our Mamelodi encounter and the changes we experienced were undeniable as similar thoughts and sentiments echoed from one person to the next. As we gathered for final pictures and packed our baggage into the vehicles one last time, the reality and sadness of leaving South Africa and my dear friend Tina (and family) were beginning to settle in. I did my best to keep those feelings at bay as we all headed to our last group experience.Derek, me and Matthew after bartering
We headed to an artisan marketplace for bartering and buying. Stone and wood carvings, placemats and pictures fashioned from banana leaves, bongo drums, native instruments, beaded jewelry and animals, slingshots, bow and arrows and pottery were situated in huts and shops one next to another. The artisans beckoned my attention by offering the ‘best deal’ they had. ‘A special price for you today ma’am’ was another tactic employed to garner my money. The 30-minute time allowance was a good thing for most of us I think, as the deal makers were fairly relentless.
Our final destination for the week was Lesedi - a cultural village where the customs and cultures of the Zulu, Sashoto, Xhosa and Pedi tribes are presented in a real life like setting.
Debbie's cute little Lukie
who took the tour with us
and loved the baby chicks
Pre-tour demonstration
in the Lesedi theatre
Our tour guide was a joyful and funny young girl who engagingly taught us about the different cultures.
Zulu warrior on a platform - you must ask his permission to enter. He asks the Zulu chief, only then you may pass through the gate.
Zulu spear maker
We learned that Nelson Mandela came from the Xhosa Village off the Eastern Cape of South Africa, that the price for a bride in some villages can fetch as much as 10 to 12 cattle, and that the Pedi people decorate and waterproof the floors with cowdung up to three times a day. Real cowdung - and we watched a stinkin’ demonstration (pun intended.) A War Dance
(spots are from the
smoke-filled hut)
Our tour ended with a ‘Giant Ingoma’ showcasing traditional dances of each of the tribes. We were treated to over 30 minutes of war dances, mating dances, marriage dances, dances for the success of crops and dances heralding the event of a young boy passing into manhood.
All joining in for the dance
We were all invited to join in at the end, and the music was so inviting it was impossible to resist. It also happened to be Mattie Koen’s 10th birthday and the tribal dance leader held Mattie high and we wished him a happy birthday. His reaction was tough to read. I wasn’t sure if he was happy or quietly thinking ‘put me down!’Our last feast in South Africa was definitely not our least feast. We had a lunch at the village fit for a tribal king and made of traditional South African fare. In addition to the things we had tried this week such as babooti, pop (corn meal dish) and mulva pudding, there were new things to try. Matthew and I both ate ostrich (which tasted like pork, not chicken) and was absolutely delicious. We also tried crocodile which was chewy like calamari (not chicken) and somewhat tasty. We ended with a delightful koek sister – a yummy donut/cruller-like pastry soaked in golden syrup, which my husband and I had long-ago deemed ‘the food of the gods’ the first time we ate them.
Tina and twin sister Debbie
One last picture of 'the guys'
As we headed for the airport I knew I would soon be awash in tears as I said good-bye to Tina, but was also looking very forward to seeing Doug, Joey and Mark again. Matthew and I were also extremely excited to be heading back to our beloved U.S. of A. for which we now have a newfound appreciation. We were looking very forward to driving on the ‘right’ side of the road, courteous drivers, street lights on the highway, toilets that flush the first time, toilets that flush, cell phone and internet access ad infinitum, heat (ah warmth), carpeted floors, the feeling of a lawful society, ovens in Fahrenheit (not Celsius), mph not kph, power steering, 117 different choices in the cereal aisle (not 4), American candy (although Tina would argue this point), 24-hour stores and gas stations, ‘normal’ electrical outlets, and an overall sense of security.
I will also miss some things about South Africa, the Koens, of course; Mamelodi and the wonderful kids we met there, especially Swahelia, Precious, Ouetu and sweet little Angelo; the people and children from Bambino Day Care; Moses, Derek and Jackson; the different birds and their calls as well as the foliage; the mountains, sunflower fields, culture immersion, and the experience of being with a mission group. Most of all, I will miss the opportunity to be in a situation to directly and positively impact the underprivileged, an experience I will always consider a great gift from which I benefitted, rather than mission I undertook.
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