Dawn at Witsieshoek before the clouds usurp the beautiful sunrise. Same clouds on fire, something
that alights us each time we witness it (seldom) .
It looks like a gorgeous day looming...not to be, sunshine wise.
Some call it the Maloti, others the Drakensberg, then there’s Ukhahlamba and Dragon Mountain.
Whatever you call something it matters not. In any language, the region is unique and fantastic,
certainly for us. We often pause, not just to rest but also reflect. It strikes us that we live in
a world in which man uses his superior mental powers at times to perfect methods of killing and murder
while many display incredible kindness to others. What gives! Hope almost seems superfluous in modern days
but perhaps the latter characteristic, kindness, will someday prove to be the much sought after antidote
for cruelty and barbarism that pervades our beautiful world. Back to the Drakensberg, a region of character,
power, color, danger and smoldering beauty, including other interesting facets.
A little chaos, organized quite efficiently at Phuthaditjhaba.
Mesmerized by the order, peace and tranquility not forgetting the beauty, one early morning.
Frankly, love this scene.
To reach the ‘end of the road’, one drives through the sprawling city of Phuthaditjhaba, a contradiction of
few well-cared and modern housing structures set amongst squalor. Businesses abound from shacks offering
services such as car washes, hair salons, food stalls, and barbeques on the side of the highway together
with farm stalls, funeral parlors and a never-ending stream of taxis. It’s interesting but obvious to note
the up-market housing protected with burglar bars and high fences, no different from the big cities where
the white population tends to inhabit, mostly.
Quite an experience, a positive one at that in Phuthaditjhaba.
The fence separates Free State from Kwa-Zulu Natal; the sun separates light from dark.
The crowd gathers at a pavement (sidewalk) gig about to begin.
Talking of Whites, we went shopping in Phuthaditjhaba one morning en route to Witsieshoek. In the
hour-and-half visit, we were the only pale faces around. A good sun-block cream can perform wonders.
Our conclusion after shopping at the local Spar grocer: What a location, what a business. The place
was humming. Many people ignored us while quite a few stared and probably wondered what the wind had
blown into the city. We parked the car in the overcrowded and exceptionally busy lot. Just as the
self-appointed security guards work in the metropolitan areas, so too do they provide a service
in this purely black African region. In fact, being weary of leaving all our possessions in the car
while we entered the store, we gave the ‘guard’ a down payment and said we’d more than double it on
our return provided the car and its contents were intact. It worked. Following our three-day stay
in Witsieshoek, we visited the shop again for additional provisions and one or two interesting incidents
occurred that both 'tickled' and educated us further.
Having secured valuable merchandise, we head for the car and negotiations with security guard.
A part of the Amphitheatre visited the day before.
South Africa is place which retains some of the classy aspects brought to the country by the British
a couple of hundred years ago. In some ways, it’s more ‘civilized’ than many other modern countries.
You might exclaim: ‘How do you arrive at such a conclusion?’ Let’s put aside murder, aids, theft and
of course corruption, the latter being common to all political systems—the whole world. When one visits
any eating establishment, no matter how small or remote, tea is always served on a tray with a teapot,
an additional pot of hot water, ceramic or china cups and metal spoons as opposed to cardboard cups filled
with hot water and a tea bag hanging over the side.. It’s classy, a step that displays a history of refinement.
Now if the country can get past the ‘few other impediments’, there’s would be no stopping it.
Jen pops in for a trim while I head for the shebeen in Phuthaditjhaba.
We mentioned Sampson in the last blog, an employee/guide at Witsieshoek. He wore an ANC (ruling party) tee-shirt
upon visiting another town. 'Hi, Comrade," is the greeting ANC members give each other.
"Because I'm black you think I vote ANC," he retorted.
"Well, you are wearing an ANC logo on your shirt," they answered.
To which he replied, "If you sleep in a garage, does that make you a motor car?" Funny although there might be
some logic issues intertwined somewhere.
Facing towards the valley (north), just before dawn.
As we arrived in South Africa, we learned that Jake (the president) and his cabinet were about
to spend R2 billion on small jets so that they can add to the existing fleet and become even more mobile
as they jet-set about undertaking...it escapes us for a minute. The last time we checked, there was never
an issue in Africa that ever received urgent attention. Why and what now? Meantime the poverty and squalor
we witness constantly makes us ask the question: 'Is there no shame left in the world, not just South Africa?'
Then again, R250 million spent on the president's house looks quite modest in comparison.
MTN is a competitor of Vodafone.
We wonder what the late Alan Paton would have thought about it all.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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