Culture

I started writing this entry on October 8th, so bare with me. To start, I thought I would start with the definition of what is culture:

"The sum of attitudes, customs, and beliefs that distinguishes one group of people from another. Culture is transmitted, through language, material objects, ritual, institutions, and art, from one generation to the next."

October 8th:

Two weeks ago, South Africa celebrated Heritage Day, on the 24th of September. I had mentioned in a previous entry that the school was planning a Fun Walk Fundraiser, to raise funds for the school building fund. Gateway Christian School is planning on adding 2 more classes and a new toilet block. They currently have 270 students and with adding these 2 classes will be adding about 60 more students. I was asked by a teacher organizing and planning this advent to help make tickets, and design and print posters for the various food booth stands and activities after the walk on the school grounds. A few of the teachers even dressed in traditional Zulu outfits and to top it off, it was wonderful warm day for the event. Here two of the teachers are giving out prizes to the Lucky Draw Winners

On the 25th of September, Project Gateway, planned a Prison History Night, to help celebrate Heritage Day. The program consisted of 2 gentlemen sharing their time spent living here as prisoners, and another guest speaker talked about King Dinizulu, who was also in prisoned here at Gateway, and then sent onto St. Helen Island. There was also some lovely singing and dancing performed by Zulu staff members, who also dressed in Zulu attire. The singing is so awesome here at Project Gateway, and know I am certainly going to miss it when I come home.

I have found working here in South Africa, that when a young person reaches the age of 21, it is a very big thing. Some families will throw their children very extravagant birthday parties celebrating the milestone.

Some of the staff dressed in their Zulu outfits.

September 30th, I traveled to Morija, Lesotho, with James & Joan, Andrew and Felicia where we met up with Simon and Anna. We also met up with more MCCer's, Burno & Lois, who are the Southern Africa Associate Directors, who live in Johannesburg, but are from Saskatchewan, and Brad Reimer, from MCC Winnipeg. Brad, was on his way to Mozambique, but came a little earlier and came to South Africa and met us in Lesotho, to take in Morija's Art and Cultural Festival with us.

It was a beautiful drive, surrounded by God’s beauty, especially driving through the Drakensburg Mountains. Such awesome splendour of nature and beauty! We even drove past a small group of zebras that were resting near the road , but I was unfortunately busy at the moment and didn’t snap a picture of them.

Me in the Drakensburgs

During our stay in Morija, we traveled into Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, and visited with a lady who is a Commisioner for Independent Electoral Commission, visited the Transformation Resource Centre, whom MCC has connections with, and met a family friend of Joan's, who is a co-founder of Seliba Sa Boithuto (Centre for Self Study), and Paballong HIV/AIDS Care Centre. We were given a tour of both places and the scenery was just beautiful.

Looking down onto the Capital of Maseru

The rest of the weekend we spent wondering around the festival. Where we watched school dance competitions. Ate a traditional African meal, took in a couple concerts, where local people came up to us and we formed a little dance group. Even the local people took our picture because we were visitors from another country. The didn't even ask if they could take our picture but just pointed their camera and snapped. Sunday the last day of the festival, was a cool damp day which we spent just relaxing and playing games in our guest house. We were going to watch some Gospel singing but they changed the time and we just stayed back at the guest house and heard alittle of the music from their. Monday, us five travled back back to South Africa.

One of the schools dance during the competition.