Out of Africa,,,

[Mutty]

Re: Out of Africa,,,

Funny thing that I should run into this thread after renting the documentary, Amandla last night. In the prensence of my young children whom I rented the movie for in part, tears rolled down my cheeks as I watched the struggle of the black South Africans through their soul stirring and haunting music of that era. When that lady gave the account of trying to drown herself in a prison toilet with a new baby emerging from between her legs, I was moved. Then there was that white Boer man who sided with the blacks as a resistance fighter who was hauled off to Pretoria's prison where they hang people of his ilk. I like when he was standing before that class of black children and recounting the struggle.

After seeing that, I promptly went back to the video store and rented Sarafina and watched it for like the 100th time. My kids watched it with me and even though they are all under 10, I stopped to explain to them as best as I could, what these people had to endure and how it relates to them, me and black people everywhere.

Thanks for the pictures! Someday when I'm rich I can buy the time and fare to go on such fantastic journeys to places I have only been to in many a dreams.

[Night Nurse]

Re: Out of Africa,,,

((((Geneva, Yom, Boopie & G2))))) Thanx a million for your kind support!!!!

Originally posted by mountaingal:
[qb] those pictures of the children are simply marvellous, NN. their future may be uncertain, but you'd never know looking at them.

was it cold in South Africa? I remember going to Nairobi years ago and being surprised at the cool temperatures.

Did you get a sense of what happened to the children after they graduated from school? are jobs hard to find?

is there still a lot of social separation between blacks and coloureds and whites? do they go to parties together, are restaurants still "socially" if not legally separated?

how long did it take for you to plan this trip and the itinerary? [/qb]

The kids were waaaay too much. They kept me going with their loving, sincere and cute selves. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Their futures seem to be more certain now with the "new South Africa" initiative. This kid told me that he use to want to be a fireman but now he wants to be President. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

The weather was very tempermental. I was very nice in the day but as soon as the sun went down, it was winter. It was colder in Johannesburg and Durban than in Cape Town.

In my opinion, the kids have a better opportunity now, with access to equal education etc., and with the plans that have been put in place by the leaders and the anticipated economic boost that will come about in preparation for the World Cup in 2010, the future looks bright.

I did not see any evidence of separatism at all in the city. It only becomes obvious when I visited the rural areas and the townships, where whites were non-existent.

The biggest divide was the financial divide between the have's and the have-not's. It was painfully obvious. Otherwise, everyone ate, played and partied together.

The people of South Africa really are trying to integrate and the effort is seen on TV in commercials and talk shows, on radio shows and in the media. There is ZERO-TOLERANCE for anyone who express discrimation publicly - period. People would get themselves in serious trouble if they express racism etc, hence the great migration to Europe, I suppose. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

I've been planning to go as a gift to myself after completing my advanced degree but the actual planning took about a month. It was cheaper to go at this time (because it is their winter and prices are out of season). We literally had no agenda - deliberately, because we wanted it to be stress-free as possible in terms of keeping with time etc. We made some mistakes, had some close calls (delayed at the border) but saved a lot of money by developing relationships and made friends with locals and by sharing our plans with them, received some great directions, advice and tips. It was GREAT!!!

[Mutty]

Re: Out of Africa,,,

[Night Nurse]

Re: Out of Africa,,,

Originally posted by Mutty - The return:
[qb] Funny thing that I should run into this thread after renting the documentary, Amandla last night. In the prensence of my young children whom I rented the movie for in part, tears rolled down my cheeks as I watched the struggle of the black South Africans through their soul stirring and haunting music of that era. When that lady gave the account of trying to drown herself in a prison toilet with a new baby emerging from between her legs, I was moved. Then there was that white Boer man who sided with the blacks as a resistance fighter who was hauled off to Pretoria's prison where they hang people of his ilk. I like when he was standing before that class of black children and recounting the struggle.

After seeing that, I promptly went back to the video store and rented Sarafina and watched it for like the 100th time. My kids watched it with me and even though they are all under 10, I stopped to explain to them as best as I could, what these people had to endure and how it relates to them, me and black people everywhere.

Thanks for the pictures! Someday when I'm rich I can buy the time and fare to go on such fantastic journeys to places I have only been to in many a dreams. [/qb]

I actually took a picture at the spot (behind Winnie's house) where the dancers on the hill in Sarafina were when it was filmed.

Mutty, thanks!!!

You'd be surprised to learn about how much "group" discount you'd get especially with your family. SA is ready for the support from visitors, who are forgiving and understand the importance of moving forward, hence, they will be happy to accomodate as much as possible.

I will contact someone I met there for details on discounts etc. and post it here.

To top off your film experience, you MUST go there - with the children. It might not be as expensive as you think.

[SistahD]

Re: Out of Africa,,,

More! More!! (((NN)))

[Mutty]

Re: Out of Africa,,,

Originally posted by NICE**Nurse:
[qb]

Originally posted by Mutty - The return:
[qb] Funny thing that I should run into this thread after renting the documentary, Amandla last night. In the prensence of my young children whom I rented the movie for in part, tears rolled down my cheeks as I watched the struggle of the black South Africans through their soul stirring and haunting music of that era. When that lady gave the account of trying to drown herself in a prison toilet with a new baby emerging from between her legs, I was moved. Then there was that white Boer man who sided with the blacks as a resistance fighter who was hauled off to Pretoria's prison where they hang people of his ilk. I like when he was standing before that class of black children and recounting the struggle.

After seeing that, I promptly went back to the video store and rented Sarafina and watched it for like the 100th time. My kids watched it with me and even though they are all under 10, I stopped to explain to them as best as I could, what these people had to endure and how it relates to them, me and black people everywhere.

Thanks for the pictures! Someday when I'm rich I can buy the time and fare to go on such fantastic journeys to places I have only been to in many a dreams. [/qb]

I actually took a picture at the spot (behind Winnie's house) where the dancers on the hill in Sarafina were when it was filmed.

Mutty, thanks!!!

You'd be surprised to learn about how much "group" discount you'd get especially with your family. SA is ready for the support from visitors, who are forgiving and understand the importance of moving forward, hence, they will be happy to accomodate as much as possible.

I will contact someone I met there for details on discounts etc. and post it here.

To top off your film experience, you MUST go there - with the children. It might not be as expensive as you think. [/qb]

Well that would be ideal. I'm the type of father who will say he needs a break from the kids and still take them with me on vacation because I want them to experience the beauty of this world and it's people.

Today my 6-yr old daughter looked up at me and asked me after seeing the boy shot in the back in Sarafina (something the white soldiers were notorious for doing), "daddy will those children come back alive again." I told her, "darling, because you have seen them die, it is your memory that will forever keep them alive." Talk about a paradox.

Anyway, it is something I wish to do someday, preferably, yesterday. It would be one of the greatest gifts I could give to my children. Somehow I feel they will be transformed and walk a higher path in life. In the meantime, I looking into any "rich uncles" I may have. LOL!!!

[Mutty]

Re: Out of Africa,,,

Keep the pictures and/or accounts coming, ok? I'll see/read them when I get up. Say hello to my friend over in Botswana who stared in, The Gods Must Be Crazy. LOL!!!

[Mutty]

Re: Out of Africa,,,

These songs are burned in my mind forever:


From Sarafina. This is from the scene when the police led the students away in their trucks for interrogation, torture and death.

http://sg1.allmusic.com/cg/smp.dll?r=20.asx&link=m8nw688cqu2cakaj5tsfycn

This is from Sarafina when the children were in prison giving their horrific accounts of what they had to endure in the prisons. There was a scene where the police were washing blood off the walls and also when they tortured Sarafina. I can just feel the pain in this song:

http://sg1.allmusic.com/cg/smp.dll?r=20.asx&link=ybw5r3rsc72uoo2v2lh46cd

[Night Nurse]

Re: Out of Africa,,,

Originally posted by Mutty - The return:
[qb] These songs are burned in my mind forever:[/qb]

Too real! Much, much too real for me to deal with right now. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

The sister of the boy who was shot now works in the museum that was built in the memory of those who've sacrificed their lives during those wretched times.

I asked what happened to the cops who were responsible, and was told that they had all been removed from the force, some have died and others were prosecuted. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

I bawled that day when I went to that museum, it was much too much for me to deal with... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[Mutty]

Re: Out of Africa,,,

Originally posted by NICE**Nurse:
[qb]

Originally posted by Mutty - The return:
[qb] These songs are burned in my mind forever:[/qb]

Too real! Much, much too real for me to deal with right now. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

The sister of the boy who was shot now works in the museum that was built in the memory of those who've sacrificed their lives during those wretched times.

I asked what happened to the cops who were responsible, and was told that they had all been removed from the force, some have died and others were prosecuted. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

I bawled that day when I went to that museum, it was much too much for me to deal with... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [/qb]

All mi knoa seh dem wouldan did haffi kill mi cause mi nuh like nobaddi tall lord over me! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

I saw Sarafina as a play first and then saw the movie later on. I'm glad I saw it because that was the time when my eyes really opened to what was going on down in South Africa.

Still all in all, I'm glad your trip has captured all of the emotions that is Africa. I might lose my mind one of these days and mortage 1 year of mortgage and run off on such a trip. Hope the bank is understanding. LOL!!!

[Night Nurse]

Re: Out of Africa,,,

HERE IS THE MEMORIAL MANDELA HAD INSTITUTED UPON HIS RETURN FROM JAIL - it is in front of the museum.

The young boy's name was Hector Petersen and he was THIRTEEN years old. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

[Night Nurse]

Re: Out of Africa,,,

MORE PICS - SELLING ROAST CORN!



GOING UP AND DOWN THE TOWNSHIPS SELLING COAL



COAL STOVE IN ONE OF THE TOWNSHIPS - also used as a source of heat. She was making rice & peas. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Night Nurse]

Re: Out of Africa,,,

MEN CARVING...



MY NEW FRIEND LERATO



PLACE OF WORSHIP - in Swaziland

[Night Nurse]

Re: Out of Africa,,,

SIGN ON ONE OF THE ORIGINAL STORES IN JOHANNESBURG



BOYS IN DA HOOD - SOWETO



SOWETO HAS DEVELOPED A THRIVING SUBURB OF MOSTLY DOCTORS ETC AND EX-ACTIVISTS (Desmond Tutu & Winnie) WHO WANT TO REMAIN IN THE COMMUNITY. THERE ARE SOME UNBELIEVABLY BEAUTIFUL HOUSES THERE...



THIS IS THE SECTION OF SOWETO WHERE HIV/AIDS IS AT ITS HIGHEST.



HEADING TO THE HILLS...IN DA HOOD![/b]

[Guest]

Re: Out of Africa,,,

((NN)) thanks very very much for sharing your pictures and trip report!