sebenza;work

some recent and exceptional New York Times articles about South Africa:

Eager Students Fall Prey to Apartheid’s Legacy

South African Children Push for Better Schools

South Africa Is Seen to Lag in H.I.V. Fight

Teaching grade 4 English to learners identified by educators as holding a special need or delay in reading has been very fulfilling. Each of our classes are a mere 45 minutes long but offer varying levels of energized learning experiences that create a relaxed and fun learning environment welcoming all to contribute. Fortunately with the implementation of several class routines and learner leadership roles, our classes move smoothly and are seen by educators as the best behaved despite language barriers that restrict lesson content, disciplining, and expectation setting. With the assistance of some school educators, I have been able to bring a greater theme to our class learning of grammar with guest story book readings translated into Ndebele. I believe the greatest lessons learned by the children are that of consideration and respect. A Bell-work session in ‘Picture Talk’ asks learners to present to their peers and acknowledges the abilities of group writer and reader. Class leaders distribute, collect, and count materials to ensure that all learners succeed in class and that those with a tendency to misplace writing utensils are not overlooked. In considering the grand scale of abilities in this unique classroom, learners hand motion as they finish an assignment which in turn gains a response communicating permission to place their assignment in the designated area for finished work. Students are then free to select an appropriately leveled story book or activity which can be worked on by themselves or with a group. After the initial mini lesson learning I am found individually assessing learners in their reading and checking learner’s assignment understanding and attending to learners with questions. Closing we gather in a grand comfortable circle to review our day’s learning. There is nothing greater than the smiles spread while our class tosses a world globe inviting learners to practice speaking their new vocabulary and phrase for the day.

At the primary school, working one-on-one with educators, month sessions act to improve specific areas of need. Although an incredibly challenging progression, observed improvements are extravagant and the educator’s concluding response is very positive, making it well worth the month’s disputes. Primary school educators are working together on writing and publishing their own appropriately leveled grade 1 Ndebele story books that reinforce followed vocabulary lists.

Intermediate school Technology and Library committees are working towards great things that are presently making a lasting impact on learners. Monthly workshops for educators are inviting educators to consider each learner’s unique abilities and alternatives to corporal punishment. Educators are introduced to practical pedagogy methods with each lesson’s learning.

Girls club members meditating

A counterpart and I are working toward a project that educates members of the community about healthy living. Focusing on personal and environmental wellness, the community group will facilitate learning sessions and provide practical experiences to further understanding. Our kick-off event will take place on World AIDS Day, the first week in December with a testing drive and two day educational session.

In other news, my hair is growing and the rains have arrived! By far my favorite season, I adore the pitter-patter on my tin roof. Today, I showed my Gogo my tattoo. I have a serious obsession for anything ginger flavored, especially Stoney-Ginger beer, which isn't a beer at all but a cold drink (pop). Mom and Dad visit in December, I can't wait!

Boys to Men

Amasokana (boys from initiation)

According to tradition every three to four years, during the coldest winter, the Ndebele King approves the boys to prepare for manhood. This initiation referred to as Circumcision School takes place in the mountains and the boys will gain community respect once it is completed.

For four months the boys stay outside their parent’s home in an unknown rural area. Without the assistance of a nurse, there the boys are circumcised. It appears the families are aware of the risk that surrounds this procedure since it is in these early weeks that the boy’s families gather for their first thanks giving at the village’s chief, who is said to be protecting their sons. The fathers and mothers sing and dance for the chief. Unaware if their son’s have made it through these first challenging weeks, the fathers kick up dust with their grand warrior dance moves, holding spear and shield embellished with animal skin.

New research identifies that earlier circumcision reduces the risk of HIV transmission (at birth circumcision would be ideal), but it is unlikely that this will influence parents to challenge tradition which may result in a lifetime of scorn from the community. An increase in community member HIV/AIDS education has however influenced more sterile procedures performed. This year, 20 cases of death caused by infection during the mountain school were reported in a neighboring community, this number is significantly less than past years. As time advances, controversy surrounding the perpetuation of these sorts of cultural practices will increase. More recently, communities are allowing a community specialist from the clinic to join and assist the boys, although custom recommends otherwise, Health officials are strongly suggesting these alternatives.

This year’s winter months ranged from 30-50 ® Fahrenheit. Wearing animal skin on their waist, in a thatch home they have built, the boys warm to a night fire. Here daily, the boys are given lessons in life skills and learn cultural stories, dances and songs. When the boys return, the family will watch the boys perform their practiced chants and moves, in exchange for small coins. The community keeps the stories living by passing its tales verbally; the lessons have no written directions, but are systematically delivered to the boys by respected community men who come to present their specialization. Some find these teachings crucial to a young man’s development and therefore an adequate substitute for the three terms the boys are away from secondary school and living in the mountains.

Each family designates when their boy will attend Mountain school which is typically around the age of 17, but lately boys as young as 14 years have urged their parents to go away. Some people suspect that this rise in early age initiates correlates with the increase in young pregnancies. Once the boys are made men they soon tend to take on sexual relationships, sometimes in the form of rape, a sort of conclusion to their initiation.

The boy’s mothers are very concerned for their boy’s long time away in the cold. What helps the parents to cope is a weekly prayer gathering. Mothers traditionally shave their hairs and then keep their head covered for the duration of the boy’s manhood celebration. Good friends assist in the preparation for these gatherings at the home, and the parents will dress in traditional garb, the mother’s heads holding heavy traditional jewelry, ibhande, and everyone will enter the home singing and dancing and then, drink tea and eat cakes.

As the boys’ return from the mountain approaches, the males begin revealing their dances. Girls and young children playfully search out the location of their homes and go to try and sneak a look at their activity. Staying some distance away, wearing face-paint, the males perform; making sure it is difficult for those who have gathered to distinguish family.

When the men finally arrive, they have much to celebrate. They return to their family with a new name and are wearing their own set of beading and traditional outfits. First, the new men greet their home and the homes of neighbors with song and dance, later they will welcome and warn the cow they will in the afternoon slaughter. The mothers awesomely lilizela yelp in delight, communicating their happiness to once again see their family.

The elder men are found gathered with their initiation cohort reminiscing while taking traditional, sometimes pineapple flavored twala beer. The ladies are grouped separately preparing salads for the meat feast and help each other to plenty of cake and tea breaks.

In turtleneck, tights, wool coat and cap, I stroll to school. Gloves and scarf are finally optional and by lunchtime’s raised sun, I can tuck my coat into a Shoprite environmental initiative grocery bag. As I am planning for the final dry cleaning of my winter wool, I take time to reflect on this cold season’s exclusive cultural events. Cutting hair and cabbage, baking cakes in preparation and each night being serenaded by the boy’s hymns, I have gained an understanding of the beauty of this culture.

Meditation Retreat, about and around Cape Town

At the start of July, I ventured to Cape Town, where I celebrated a very special time-my one year anniversary for living in South Africa. I attended a 10 day, silent meditation retreat and explored the big city on the coast.

Once my flight arrived in Cape Town, I took a scenic drive in the mountains. With baboons passing the roadside, I relaxed into my usual self chatting with a new friend, who volunteered to lift me to the Vipassana Meditation center located in Worcester, a rural setting 2 hours from city center.

That evening segregated by sex in our eating quarters, new students nervously giggled in groups over our first prepared vegetarian dish. One woman questioned whether she was, “the only oldie” of our bunch. 75 years wise, Ida and I immediately bonded. That evening, at the sound of the 9pm gong, we all began our vow to live in noble silence without voice, gesturing or making eye contact with other participants. Reading, writing, exercise, or activity in other hobbies was also not permitted. At the female entrance to the meditation hall, I boldly smiled to myself, unaware what exactly was this something new, I then sauntered into the dark, subtle lighted room and took my seat legs crossed on the royal blue cushions. Ahead of me nobly sat the two assistant teachers that would guide our learning’s. After our sessions we followed the moonlit sky to our chalets. I choose a cot next to Ida, and nightly I fastened myself in my sleeping bag and slowly drifted off to sleep after thoroughly pondering the lifestyle I had accepted.

The next 10 days, I would follow a rigorous routine beginning with a morning wake at 4:30a for a meditation session, then after: breakfast, a short rest, group meditation session in hall, own meditation session, lunch, short rest, own mediation session, group meditation, own meditation, dinner, group meditation, night discourse, and then a final meditation closing at 9:30p. Bells and gongs signify time elapse and the start and close of the 2 hour meditation sittings.

With our living spot surrounded by miraculous nature, I negotiated devoting my days to the draining activity as it would be rewarded with walking the outdoors for a few hours anonymous (a rarity in the village). As we dished our meals of stew and salad spiced just right, I found it difficult holding back from a second helping. Served breakfast, lunch, and then 5p last meal of popcorn and fruit, I savored the flavors and sitting by myself either inside or by mid day ogling the multicolored land and sky.

With each day’s sensations, peace, tears, and teaching, the inner learning became more apparent. I know that I have surely gained a valuable tool that is helping me to be a more reflective and less reactive person. At the closing of our 10 days, participants were given time to talk with each other before leaving the center. Our group of women from all walks of life, giggled over the weeks challenges and obsessions to the extent of headache.

The next morning, I received transport from a group of Capetonian girls to my Cape Town central backpackers and quickly returned to a world of sound and first-world normalcy. The girls blared old-school tunes and we sang along to Alanis Morsette and Little Mermaid, stopping at the nearest Shell gas station to grab junk snacks, cold drink and chow down on all our cravings.

With the news of my parents visit to South Africa in December, I was under little pressure to attend to all the gobs of touristy activity the area breathes, and rather traipsed the city shops by day with coffee in hand and hanging out with the new friends I had met from the retreat in the eve. Venturing around Cape Town the next few days was invigorating.

An afternoon at Ida’s waterfront flat, listening to French music and eating quiche, engaged in heavy genuine conversation with new friends, and then Mexican eats, Mojito drinks, live music, and dancing nights. A celebration of all sorts!