Day 130: Andile from Koffiefontein

I left Orania to reconnect with Ursula and Pierre in Luckhoff, as our paths were firmly intertwined from the moment they had stopped to give me a lift to this Afrikaner heartland three days earlier. They were a classic example of people being people through people, the translation of uBuntu from the Nguni language group – Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu. I stayed with them for a couple of nights. One afternoon I was having a few drinks with Tools and Charlie, neighbouring farmers, which ended up in a bit of a ‘partytjie’ with me, not unlike a naughty teenager, sleeping over with my new friends. Ursula and I were firmly ‘umbilicaled’ though, so when I mentioned that it was time to move on, she arranged for a lift to Koffiefontein and accommodation at a bed and breakfast there – the Copper 
Kettle, which is owned by her close friend, Janine Wessels, who lives in Bloemfontein. After two nights at the Copper Kettle one of the staff members, Sanna Kolomba, invited me to stay with her and her family.

Andile and his sisters, Vuyiswa and Wingi, can’t wait to meet me. Their mom rang them earlier in the day to let them know that they should prepare a room for a guest.

I am just as eager to meet them as this is the first Sotho family to host me in their home in Mandela Square, near Koffiefontein. Andile’s mom, Sanna, and I are picked up from the Copper Kettle by his dad, Paulus. On the way we stop at a little supermarket where Sanna buys snacks and fruit, which, I later discover, are for my benefit.

Sanna tells me that the kids have scrubbed my room. When we walk into the house Andile is instantly by my side. His sisters take my backpack and camera bag and show me to my room, where everything sparkles.

Our giggles of nervous excitement create an instant camaraderie. Andile has many questions about my journey. With how many families have I stayed? What have I been eating? Am I not afraid? Over tea and snacks I answer some of them. Andile also tells me about himself. He is in his final year of school, yet he prepares dinner every day for this family of five. At the same time he helps friends with their homework and supervises his younger sisters. He is an inspiration. He wants to be a meteorologist one day. Geography is his favourite subject. ‘Yuck!’ I say. 
‘It was my worst subject at school!’ Andile just laughs and asks questions about our country.

The next morning there is a gentle knock at my door and Vuyiswa enters with coffee. I rise early to accompany them to Reikaeletse High School, where I shall meet their friends and address the matric class.

I found the kids amazing and their manners impeccable, and after the talk we snuck out of the classroom for a group photo. It is a memento I shall treasure forever.

***

Mr Makanyaze

Visiting Reikaeletse High School reminded me of the important role of strong leadership and how this, almost as importantly as the curriculum, determines the quality of the education. When the headmaster, Thabo Makanyaze, introduced me to the class I was about to address, they rose up out of respect for him.

‘I am accompanied this morning by this lady, Sonja. She is walking around the country visiting different towns and different families. This week she is in Koffiefontein. She was supposed to stay in a guesthouse but decided to stay in the township instead. She slept at Andile’s place, which is very interesting. I must be honest, given our history as a country, these days, a lot of whites still have that fear. Fear of black people. But she has overcome that. She has been moving around the country and staying with all people. She wants to spend a few minutes talking with you. She is writing a book about uBuntu. We will be happy to read from this book in Life Orientation one day. Sonja, they are very respectful learners and they will show you respect. Learners, give her a platform to talk to you and I’m sure that she will give you an opportunity to raise questions. Thank you.’

Their response to stories from the journey was warm and playful. They asked great questions and there was one kid whose dream was clearly visible on his face when he asked in wonder: ‘How did you take that first step?’ Yes, this kid has a big dream.

The kids wanted a group photo and asked if we could go outside to take it, as there was not enough space to capture us all in the classroom. I was concerned that we would disturb the other classes that were in session. The kids promised that there would be no disruptions. True to their word, we left the classroom, single file. We headed towards the courtyard, where the learners proceeded to organise themselves into what can only be described as a professional photographer pose! I mean, look at the photo! I was then told where I had to stand. One of the learners even fetched a teacher from the staff room to come and take the photo.