It seems everyone on Facebook is doing things in lots of 25 so here goes my effort at reflecting on the experience as a volunteer working amongst the Zulu community in KwaZulu Natal South Africa. The photo above is of the people I worked closely with for my te weeks in Bergville KwaZulu Natal SA.
Ntombifuthi Hlatshwayo, Mamsy Khumalo, Busi Sechaba, Carol Irish, Vusi Maphalala, Joseph Kunane, TK Khumalo, Thembi Ngcongo. Great people.
- As someone who has never been very patient I learned that Africans have a differnet concept of time. Waiting is normal. This is not a positive reflection but is the reality for many South Africans (both black and white) who have to negotiate systems and services that do not have a capacity to deliver in reasonable timeframes.
- Zulu women live in oppression & bear the major responsibility for most household tasks.
- Zulu men maintain a position of privilege as males and expect women to be subservient.
- 2 & 3 are major factors in the transmission of HIV and the fact that women have higher infection rates than men.
- HIV will take generations to reduce to levels comparable to other African countries. SA has an infection rate of over 18% (30% in KZN) yes 18% no misprint here.
- In spite of their poverty the people I met and worked with were an amazingy resiliant group of people and generally positive.
- South Africa has a long way to go to repair the disadvantage that its black population suffered under the Apartheid regime especially in rural areas.
- Zulu culture and practices (polygamy and the way it deals with death etc) need to change so that poverty can be overcome.
- Volunteering was a great experience and I would recommend it to anyone. Flexibility with a capital F is required as plans can often be changed at short notice.
- Government services are incredibly bureacratic. However as it emerges as a mature administration and is adequately resourced this will improve.
- South Africa must have the best airport entry system in the world. No paperwork to fill in - just present your passport and smile.
- South Africans are appreciative of all that foreign donors do for them. I was overwhelmed by the thanks I continually got for the smallest things I undertook.
- Want to be a volunteer? There are many training opportunities available.
- Kid, kids kids. Everywhere. Smiling, happy faces, sad circumstances, poverty, orphaned, vulnerable. Yet always smiling. See my movie on Youtube "Children of Africa."
- Men are noticeably absent in day to day life. Many are away working but they were not involved in volunteering in their communities.
- Take any opportunity to see what you can. A casual invitation to an Umsebenzi braoedened my undersatnding of Zulu culture more than any book could have done. And they were honoured to have me crash their party.
- Race is still an issue and as a white I was often treated as someone special by Zulus because of the colour of my skin. A negative perhaps but also demonstrating for many Zulus that white people are pepared to visit their homes and meet them in their communities so I saw this as a positive in "race" relations.
- White South Africans live in fear (needlessly I believe). South Africa has a promising future.
- Our tour guide at Robben Island exemplied a really positive attitude and the spirit of Mandela. Despite five years on the Island he had no bitterness and spoke about all people working together to build the country.
- The World Cup has created an amazing spirit of optimisim in SA. Everywhere you go and every radio news bulletin has a countdown to the WC (must be less than 400 days now I think).
- South Africa's churches play a major role in the country both as provider of services and support and also as advocates trying to keep the government accountable.
- I have come to love South African music. From not knowing who Marian Makeba was when first asked I have come from SA with a number of CDs of the music of the people. Great stuff.
- Do not underestimate the power of gardens to transform lives. I met many people for whom the establishment of a vegie garden literally helped save their lives
- The children of SA require protection against being infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Prevention is better than cure. Being left an orphan means a lot more resources than supporting aparent with HIV to stay alive.
- Would I go again? I sure would. One of the best experiences of my life.
I really like that article. It is so much interesting and so much informative article. It is so impressive also.So thanks for sharing such a wonderful blog with me. And now I often visit on that blog so please keep posting me.
ReplyDeletecape town holiday