The daily mention in the media of the south-African variant of covid-19, sent me back to my one and only visit to South-Africa in the eighties.
It was not a planned trip. It so happened that I took upon myself to accompany an old lady acquaintance to her daughter and family, temporarily stationed there in a small town. I stayed with them about a week , and then decided to see a few places on my own.
At that time, Apartheid was in its last stages, but still present. It's one thing to read and hear about it, and another thing to see it with your eyes and feel it on your body. The climax was one day, in Johannesburg, when I turned to a black passerby to ask her how to get to a certain place. Suddenly, we were surrounded by several young white men shouting at us, and spitting....on me. I was shocked. The black lady suggested that we part and go separate ways as I was in danger because of my talking to her.
The above incident has shattered me, and ruined my visit. I believe in God and in His Creation . God gave the african continent to the black people. That's a fact. All the others may visit ,even settle there if they so wish, but not behave like they own the place, certainly not practicing apartheid.
Anyway, I managed to visit a few places and experience some specific events: Capetown with its two main landmarks: Table Mountain and Cape of Good Hope, Port Elizabeth with its Dolphinarium and Horse Memorial, Durban's indian market, the Golden mine museum with a mining underground tour near Johannesburg, a 'safari' bus tour which enabled us to watch wild animals through the bus window only, tribal dances.
Here are some of the photos:
What a frightening experience that must have been for you, DUTA. Human behaviour all too often is questionable, disgraceful, and so very, very wrong. Even to this day only small steps are taken...when will we every learn....
ReplyDeleteMemories of an interesting visit well worth holding on to.
Take very good care.
Frightening, indeed. And unbelievable!
DeleteDespite that unfortunate incident, it seems you were at least able to enjoy better times on your South African trip. It would have been sad to have ignorant people completely ruin this adventure, but still what you posted about was unsettling and sure it still happens in many places.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. I discovered the adventurous side in my character, and tried to make the best of it. This country had a lot to offer to its visitors:great landscape, a variety of everything: people, places,events, photography.
DeleteYour experience made me so sad at how it was then. Lovely photos, thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou mean the apartheid incident. Definitely sad. Hopefully,things are totally changed now.
DeleteGlad you like my photos.Believe me or not, I like them too. After all, I was young, and visited wonderful places. So, what's not to like.
Very interesting trip I'm sure in more ways than one, sadly with your eyes opened with the episode of apartheid, but the areas you visited looked like quite an adventure!
ReplyDeletebetty
looking back, it was indeed an interesting trip, though a bit dangerous. It was a new world to me, and I was not prepared for it, at that time.
DeleteWhat an exciting trip and horrifying as well. That would be frightening. So glad though you did get to experience so much on the trip. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteThe words of excitement, horror, fright, experience - adequately describe my trip to S.A.
DeleteYou are brave! I don't know if I could make a trip like that. So great that you have gone on these travels.
DeleteThank you ,ellie, but I don't think it was bravery, more like ignorance. The hosts were relatively new in the country, living in a small town, so they couldn't have warned me of things. However, I'm proud I did it.
DeleteThat wasn't good behaviour at all, such a shame it ruined your holiday.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are lovely.
Let's say it "almost" ruined my trip. I managed to put the incident behind me for a while, and try to enjoy the many attractions along my trip.
Delete"And God gave the African continent to the black people. That's a fact." In which piece of someone's sacred text is that inscribed as fact? And did someone tell the arabs and berbers of North Africa they were squatters?
ReplyDeleteNot all facts are "inscribed" in texts, sacred or not.
DeletePerhaps the word 'reality' is a more adequate word than 'fact'. Reality, as God has created and Man so grossly violated.
(I know you don't believe in God, but you do a wonderful job with texts reviewing them for the benefit and enjoyment of us all).
My late friend's husband was assigned to represent his company there in the 70s but when the company said the adults would be issued hand guns, they declined to travel their with three children.
ReplyDeleteWhat a frighteneing experience for yiou, but you alwys make the best of situations. I like your sense of adventure.
I remember things like the white folks carrying guns and commuting only by car, not by public transport.
DeleteI traveled by bus and train. Thank God for His protection.
That incident with the black woman would have shocked and shattered me as well. That is scary experience and awakening to a part of the world that seems like we would know yet in so many ways was so alien.It probably is an experience many of us should have if for no other reason than to shock us back into reality.
ReplyDeleteWe learn a lot of things from the Media, but that's all theory. When we face reality, we are in for great shocks.
DeleteI can tell you that based even on what's going on in my country at present: politically, socially, you name it.
Powerful story, DUTA. I think that would have been terrible to experience...I just can't imagine seeing first-hand what it was like to be Black in South Africa. The pictures are so good, and help to preserve that once-in-a-lifetime trip to S. Africa. It hasn't been in the news much anymore, at least that I've seen. Thank you for sharing that story...it can't help but wake us up, to the injustices that some face.
ReplyDeleteן'm glad you think the photos are good. These are not digital photos, so I had to try and improve them a bit. I believe it's worth the work as I'll never be young again, and I'll never be at these places again. These photos are memories worth preserving.
DeleteA travelodge including delight and despair. It epitomises "Hell is other people" on the one hand and "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" on the other.
ReplyDeleteTwo things struck me: 1.The spitting mob and 2. The bowling club photo. Both depicted how white people accepted apartheid then. No black face in the bowling club, nor with the spitting crew. I wonder who looked after the manicured bowling green? Hmm. I think you were highly adventurous to travel to Africa in the first place and fortunate to get back unscathed in the second place. Lovely post.
I don't remember exactly how I got to join the white ladies of the bowling club. I think one of them gave me a lift when she saw me waiting at a bus station.
DeleteYou are totally right about the two striking things (mob and bowling club), and about me being fortunate to get back in one piece.
Thank you, Philip, for your kind words.
The apartheid (still existing in reality but officially not) is the reason that I will never go to South Africa. For years I had a blogfriend who was South African. Her husband was Manager in one of the Gold mines. What she wrote to me and how she helped the black people left me flabbergasted ! Disgusting ! I had an Indian collegue and he was not allowed to travel to South Africa because he was not white ! Another had to go at his place ! I hate all racists, for me the color, religion or whatever has no importance only the person counts good or bad !
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised about your story with the indian collegue. There was quite a substantial indian population there when I visited. In Durban, for instance. there's a big indian market and it was an indian guy that directed me to it.
DeleteI'm glad you were able to have a good time after that awful incident.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary. I tried hard to see and experience the good, positive side of S.A. It's a beautiful country with many attractions to be enjoyed.
DeleteYou're so lucky to have chance visiting the lion home and hugging their baby :)
ReplyDeleteI only watch Zulu Tribe parade in Mardi Grass New Orleans, but this year no Zulu parade due to Covid.
Cute, isn't it? I must admit I was a bit afraid keeping it in my arms.
DeleteTribal dances and parades, tribal tours for tourists are a big deal there. It brings in money which hopefully is put to a good use.
Not a pleasant incident!
ReplyDeleteOn a more positive note I enjoyed seeing your photographs.
All the best Jan
Agreed.
DeleteThank you for your kind words about my photos.
All the Best to you too, Jan!
Lovely photos !! 😘😘
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like them. Just a sample. I've got some more but they are not digital and need some improvement.
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