Mandela Rhodes Foundation

Today, Madiba was introduced to the 2006 Mandela Rhodes Scholarship recipients. 15 Scholars were formally introduced to Mandela, who shook hands with each of them in turn. In what I've come to expect from the man, he made witty quips to some of the students, including a comment to the effect of 'won't you bring Mugabe a message from me' to one of the three Zimbabwean recipients.

The event was held at Mandela House, where the Mandela Rhodes Foundation and Nelson Mandela Foundation have their offices.

Information on the Mandela Rhodes Foundation can be found at the title above.

Scuba Diving

I am a PADI certified Open Water Diver!

I have just had the best weekend, completing my open water dives at Bass Lake, 45 minutes outside of Johannesburg. My instructor, Eddie, was great, as were the rest of my classmates. Despite the early morning departures from Greg's house, it was one of the most enjoyable weekends I've had since my return to Jo'burg.

Scuba diving is quite popular in South Africa, and there are lots of places to dive, both in lakes throughout the country and on the coast (mainly in the Indian Ocean). I will have lots of places to choose from during my last 6 weeks here.

As I plan out my next dive, I'm keen to take the Advanced Open Water Diver Course to gain a bit more experience before heading out to the ocean. I'm interested in the Wreck Diving and Night Diving electives, and promise to post my picture promptly if I take the Underwater Photography elective!

Speaking of photography, I'm slowly posting more photos, so keep checking my online photo album.

SA Blood Donor Services: No Gays Need Donate

(Link to article via Title above)

Yesterday, the South African Broadcasting System reported that the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) does not allow blood donations from gay males who have had sex with another male in the last five years. The head of the SANBS, Dr. Robert Cookes, is quoted saying "A man who has had sex with another man within the last five years, whether oral or anal sex, with or without a condom... is not permitted to donate blood and must please not do so."

Two years ago it was revealed that blood donations from black or coloured donors were incinerated or otherwise destroyed by the SANBS because black and coloured blood was considered to have too great a risk of HIV/AIDs. (See article here).

It Would be Easier to Slaughter a Chicken

Today, the world seems to be back to normal. M is back to work today. The sun has come out after 5 straight days of rain. And I had a solid 8 hours last night.

In all, it is nice to be back to a typical Jo'burg routine. I have adjusted back to my daily commute and morning workouts. Dizzy and I had a lovely evening sitting on the couch last night in our sweat suits (it was cold with the rain). We ate tofu and salad and watched South African Soapies.

Isidingo has been particularly good (check out their website here). A current story-line involves Joe (a white South African) dating Letti (a black South African). Letti's father has found it difficult to deal with his daughter dating a white man. This week, he has been making an effort to get to know Joe. Things were looking good until he decided to invite Joe over for a family brai (bbq) on Friday afternoon; he plans to slaughter chickens to brai and will have Joe participate in the slaughter as a means of testing Joe's ability to fit into a Sotho family.

While this may seem a bit stereotypical or dramatic, it's a common issue in South Africa. Going on holiday this Christmas, Rae reminded me that I must call ahead to my host-brother to ensure it was okay that I was bringing a black friend along with me. It's something that I would never think about at home, yet I know from my history here in South Africa that these issues need to be dealt with. People I would never have expected to have a problem with race have been overtly concerned with colour and would have flatly refused a house guest of a different race.

In a country where racism was institutionalised, it's not surprising, really. It is not easy to purge nations or individuals of their beliefs.

As for Joe, I am sure it will be easier for him to slaughter those chickens than change Letti's father's beliefs.

Smash and Grab

There are times when I don't want any part of this country's problems. Times when I want to take the next flight to Canada. This afternoon has been one of those times.

One of my colleagues came screaming and crying up the stairs and into her office just after lunch. She was hyperventilating. SCREAMING. Sobbing. The HR director went in, followed minutes later by the office manager. The rest of us stood out on the floor wondering what had happened.

It was a smash and grab.

I had the unfortunate experience of watching one unfold during my holiday. Far too close to my home, I sat at a red robot and saw a man approach the car next to me. I knew of smash and grabs, but couldn't believe that was his intent. So I watched. I watched the man walk up to the passenger window, cup his hands around his eyes to look through the glass, all without the driver knowing. Then, in the blink of an eye, he backed up a fraction of a step before smashing his hand through the window, grabbing the driver's purse, and running off into the night.
The driver of the car was erratic as she pulled away, pulled over and then turned around and drove off. I was shocked.

My colleague is definitely in shock. I brought her tea during her screaming. Now, a half hour later, I asked if she wanted some food. She is dazed. She held my hand and said no. I hugged her, and was overwhelmed by the energy coming off her. I'm still shaking from it.

They say that the sound in the car of the window smashing is like a gun shot. In many ways, there is a progression in the crime in this country that there is only the sound of a gun without any present. Highjackings were the flavour of the day when I lived here in 1997 (when drivers/passengers were pulled from your car by multiple armed men). That the current trend is to steal possessions, and with relatively little violence, is heartening.

Still, I didn't sleep for 2 weeks after witnessing that smash and grab. As I sit here shaking with M's energy following her encounter, I'm certain the victims of crime in South Africa feel that the crime is not nearly non-violent enough. Having sat here waiting for 30 minutes for the emergency services to arrive, I'm not so sure that the crime levels will be made history any time soon.

As much as I hate the crime here, I realize that the work that NMCF does is vitally important to this country. The children of South Africa need to be given a head start in life so that their best option isn't crime. So, for the next 2 months, I will certainly keep my purse in the trunk, and nothing visible in my car. And at home, when things go bump in the night, unless I see a man waving a gun, I will assume it is one of the cats. :)