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Published: July 25th 2015
Breakfast
Early morning breakfast at 6:30.After the ups and downs of a busy week at The Grace--definitely more ups than downs, especially our team meeting last night, just before the power went off again--we had a late (7.00) breakfast before setting off for Kghodwana, following Hendrick and Evelyn our hosts. On the way we stopped off in Kwamahlanga to buy some snacks. It surprises me how much our children are eating--some of the boys in particular appear to have hollow legs, and are currently buying a KFC (new to Siya) only hours after a veritable feast which formed our late lunch. Anyway, we drove on without mishap (even on a rough road at the end) to the cultural history village and met our guide. We saw Ndebele houses through the ages from about the 1300s to the twentieth century. It was very interesting to discover their evolution and the reasons behind certain developments, such as the introduction of storage areas and windows, and especially the arrival of painting. We were told that the Ndebele were the only tribe in South Africa to paint their homes in the past, We learnt about tribal ways before consuming some of the snacks, and then went into the museum there.
Ndebele village
A sample of a model Ndebele house frame from about1400. Hendrick told us he had himself grown up in a primitive tribal homestead and his grandfather had five wives. He himself did not wear Western clothes until forced to when starting school at 11. His education was very disrupted--yet today he has a higher degree, experience in running businesses and churches as well as a mission which is now becoming pan-African, and is still studying theology and researching for his dissertation. He speaks eight languages. Our host is a gifted man.
He had arranged for Kghodwana to be opened solely for us today, and once we had bought Ndebele items such as bracelets and beadwork from the gift shop, we went back to Kwamahlanga for a braai which he had also organised with a butcher who is a friend and pastor of one of his churches there. This was huge--massive pieces of delicious beef, a long boerewors (sausage) and many vegetables with pap and rice, followed by a Western ice cream. Mr Mabbett said he felt good after that! While waiting, Tom ended up in a challenge match of pool with a local youth, which he lost. Our third defeat against the locals since coming!
After this the
Ndebele village
The entrance is larger by the 1700s, beginning to show the colonial influence. This is from the 1800s. Notice the painting too. Mahlanghus took us to visit the mission's chicken farm. We saw how quickly the chicks grow from one day old to six weeks, when they are sold (live). We saw some being sold and Holly got some good pictures for the animal photo competition.
(RJH)
Olivia writes:
After we left the chicken farm, we played games in the bus (which smelt like oil because of a spillage earlier!) and arrived home 20 minutes later having sung all of Now 90. When we arrived me and Angela decided to throw a 'slumber party' for the girls, and we did face masks, painted nails, foot massages and played hairdresser! Once everyone had had a face mask put on we went and terrified the boys, who tried to make us laugh to get our masks to crack. Once we had got back to our room we realised we had left the masks on for too long and the mixture had actually STUCK to our faces like cement! It took AGES to take everyone's off but fortunately we were left with super soft skin! Mr Mabbett and Mrs Davis have just gone to get KFC for us so everyone is very
Ndebele village
4 of the girls in front of one of the Ndebele houses excited! We are all missing you loads and we are having the best time EVER!
Georgia writes:
Eventually the boys Mr Mabbett and Mrs Davis got back from KFC, we had actually started to worry about them as they had been gone a long time, but it was a very long order. We all tucked into our KFC despite particularly Evelyn as we got her what she had told us were her favourites and Josh who ended up eating 8 pieces of chicken (I told him that if I wanted to I could easily eat that much!) After supper the boys were sent off to write their journals without being distracted by card games as they were all about 4 days behind (they are now only 1 behind). Now everyone is playing cards, eating chocolate and drinking tea and attempting to make bird songs.
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Claire Betts
non-member comment
Food glorious food!
Glad to see that Charlie isn't at risk of fading away - he seems to be finding enough to eat! It does seem that the mission's chicken farm may need to increase production now that the Grace Team have single-handedly boosted demand at the local KFC! Charlie - we're missing you but it looks like you are having a great time there. I hope the second week continues to be an adventure of a lifetime! xx