Say 'Molo' - not hello Molo (MawLaw but quicker) - Hello singular
Molweni (Mawl wear knee - Hello to more than one person
Kunjani? (cun jar knee) - How are you?
Ndisapile or Ndipilile - I am fine
Race topics are a sensitive issue because westerners come to south africa and then take the high moral ground stance when their own countries are equally as racist.. ive lived in europe for 5 years and the level of racism is SHOCKING... its worse than in south africa!
Interacting is easy Just talk to anyone. They will talk back. (Unless they don't understand English)
PS. Dont let every comment get your back up. Some, although they are racist, are true. Blacks have a different moral code to whites and do sleep around a lot more than most white South Africans. I know this is a racial generalization, and probably shouldn't be said, but it is true.
PPS. I find the older a person is, the more racist they are. My hope is that the next generation will be better. My parents generation (70-80) is just terrible.
PPPS. By not saying anything against the racist remarks, the people take it that you are agreeing with them, so don't keep silent too long.
Alas Hi there,
As you move around the country you will no doubt find an extraordinary array of views and perspectives. As a born and bred white man living in Johannesburg I am surrounded by a cosmopolitan vibe and interact daily with people who have embraced and welcomed the changes that have occurred since 1994. There are, however, many white people who are insecure and afraid since they no longer wield any power. It is from these people that one hears the most extraordinary stereotypes and fictions. Not that I have anything against East London per se, but Johannesburg (despite its bad reputation) is where everything is happening - politically, artistically, socially. I'm completely addicted. When I'm here I feel positive, you can interact with people of all races...Yes, there's an unbelievable disparity bewteen rich and poor and crime can't be ignored but for a taste of true South African dynamism, Jo'burg should not be missed.
I wish I could show you around - not to the malls and American replications - but a bit of bog standard, dirty, dangerous Jo'burg life.
Amazing experience Hello, Justin. What an amazing experience you are having already. I think that you are right on to be a listener first vis a vis the attitudes you'll be encountering. It seems there will be many parallels between your experiences on the rez and what you experience in SA. Best wishes and stay linked! P.S. Chris and I are working on seding 15 boxes of books to you for the kids/teachers.
Annelies
Racial Issues I'm very interested to hear more about how things are going between the different peoples over there, high and low class, and the rainbow of colors. As well as hearing more stories about the Baha'is over there.
It finally snowed here justin! Rochester got 6 inches. My mom is convinced it's all for her, because it's her birthday today and she views snow as a special present to her from God. Yeah, she's nutty, but she's my mom :) I"ll be working 6 days a week from now on it looks like, all opening shifts, that's right, sleepy Danna has to be -AT- work by -5:30AM- so sick. Most of them are either half shifts, so I can go home and sleep, or they are split shifts around me going to class, and thus working a 12 hour shift, with 1-3 hours of class in the middle.... great.... I miss you buddy, I'm really glad we got to hang out before you left. Send me Katie's blog address too when she gets one! Later Orange Dragon Epsilon!
Danna
non-member comment
ummm... the horse!
Donald gets those kids every time! Miss you buddy :)