Heritage Day - Sept 24th

Bakone Malapa Museum

 

Today is Heritage Day in South Africa so we planned a whirlwind cultural tour.  Hang on for the ride!

The day began with a visit to an outdoor museum – Bakone Malapa – which is a reconstruction of a South African village.  It was very Interesting and informative.

A warrior

Is shipping expensive?

 

We then moved on to a local craft market which was filled with hand-made crafts and original art works and sculptures.   I left the market a few rand lighter than when I got there.

Sharing lunch with the nyalas

 

Who needs a security system?

The next stop was lunch at a riverside outdoor restaurant where we got to see many different antelope close up (nyalas, elands and springbok).  The lunch was delicious – outdoor grilled t-bone steak!!

Some of the local boys

The sangoma and his aunt.

From there we went to another village to visit a ‘sangoma’ which is a traditional healer or medicine man.  We sat through a ceremony where one of colleagues ‘threw the bones’ to allow sangoma to connect with Susan’s relatives to do a reading.  A great learning for us about their culture and beliefs.

The chief's mother and the sangoma

Our final stop of the day was to meet the chief  Kgosi Kgabo Mololo III of a local tribe … of one million people.  As it was Heritage Day, he was at a celebration in one of his villages but we did get invited in to meet his mother who holds the same ‘power and esteem’ as the chief.  She was very warm and welcoming … an lovely end to such as hectic day!

The Game Reserve on Horseback - Sept 23rd

We are off ...

Our evening in the game reserve gave us just a taste of nature here in South Africa so we have decided to do it all over again on horse back this time.  The evening was much warmer.

After getting everyone seated on their horse, for some the very first time we headed off to the wilderness.  We discovered that the animals are much less intimidated by us on horseback than in a vehicle.  We immediately spotted some elands and nyalas.  A little further down the trail we came upon some white rhinos.  A group of females and young ones.  We also learned about the serious poaching problem they have on all the reserves.  The price for a rhino horn is in the millions of rands (7 rand ~ 1 dollar) which makes it hard to resist for some.  In the past 3 weeks, this reserve had been poached – one rhino was killed, another one darted but found alive.

Mom!

They've lost interest in us!

Now our adventure truly begins!  As we continued on the trail, we came across 2 young bull rhinos.  Apparently they are quite curious and territorial.  To our amazement and horror, they began to follow us.  For 5 kms. we trotted through the reserve with them closely on our heels finally to have them give up when we got to a wide open space where we could spread out and display our group size.  Our fantastic version – we were chased out of the game reserve by 2 young bull rhinos.  Reality – we were in their territory and they wanted to check us out and make sure we knew where we were.  With but a few bumps and bruises and a lot of adrenaline we have a great story to tell.  The rest of the trail somehow seemed uneventful.

A beautiful evening

Now on to the next adventure …

A week of work in summary - Sept 19 - 23

Now on to our true initiative here in Polokwane ….

Our team which includes myself, Narcisse (Germany), Prashanth (India) and Roland (China) have been tasked with developing a strategy to implement ICT (Information and Communication Technology) for the Province of Limpopo to almost 4,000 schools.   We have a second team on the ground here working with the schools directly on their professional development strategy for their teachers.

Much of this week was spent further learning about the Department of Education and the schools, how they interact with each other and what challenges they are facing.  Their goal is to ensure that school administrators, teachers and students have access to and use technology to further enhance their learning and communication. So much of what we take for granted is a ‘real stretch’ for a high percentage of the population here.  We are working with the poorest province in South Africa with the greatest need and the most hope. 

The challenge is to introduce technology (computers, software and the internet) to so many that have never used a computer!!! Technology has simplified our lives in so many ways and enabled us to do and learn so much more.  The key to their future is education and we have been asked us to help them formulate a plan to deliver it as simply and effectively as possible.  We will continue to learn and develop our strategy ... only half way there.  

 

Our first day of rest - Sept 18th

Keiko (Japan) on our shopping mission!

This has been our first full day to relax, unwind and reflect on the past 10 days.  What do you do on a Sunday in Polokwane? Some of us slept in, some went to church and some went shopping ….  As individuals, we have brought with us many items (schools supplies, toys, tooth brushes, candy, etc.) to donate and money to purchase necessities for a school, orphanage or organization in need.  We are working with our contact (Mashudu) in Polokwane to find such an organization.  In the meantime, we are out building our stockpile, purchasing food and gently used clothing.  Stay tuned for our report back on this endeavour.

Bob and Roland (China)

For many of us Canadians, nothing beats a summer barbeque.  We find ourselves in South Africa in September which is actually the beginning of their spring.  No self-respecting Canadian would let a sunny Sunday above 10 degrees Celsius go by without a barbeque.  The South African’s call it a braai.  Bob (a fellow Canadian) has taken charge of this event and with some help from some team members has put on a spectacular feast. 

Bob - the Barbeque King

Wow!

Steven, myself and Anna (Australia)

To finish off the evening … some dance lessons from the locals then off to bed early for the big week ahead.

The Polokwane Game Reserve - Sept 17th

Fortunately for our team, the Polokwane Game Reserve is a mere 10 minutes from our lodge.  What better way to spend a Saturday evening than with the team on the look out for some exotic animals? 

With 14 of us packed into a Land Rover, negotiating the ideal spot for the amateur photographer became the mission.  The result .... the amateur photographers got the best positions in the vehicle and each team member promised access to a vast selection of photos for their own collection (hmmm ... I seem to have negotiated myself to a position out of the vehicle).

Photo by PB - Nyala

 

The evening was quite cool but the animals were active.  We saw giraffes, zebras, elands, wart hogs, nyalas, and ostriches to name a few.  We were served a lovely outdoor dinner under the stars and by a blazing fire.  It was an evening that allowed us to marvel at the wonders of South Africa and share our appreciation of such beauty and diversity. 

I am truly humbled! - September 15th

Mr Matsapula - a drawing from Canada

This was a very big day for us.  We travelled out to Sekhukhune District to meet with the Director for the School’s Curriculum – Mr. Mastapula.  We then went to visit 2 schools - Mashabela and Makgatsike.  These schools are classified as ‘no fee’ schools in which the communities cannot financially support them.  They rely on donations and subsidies to keep the schools going. 

Boys will be boys!

In Mashabela – the Principal has managed to buy some computers for the school and is actively trying to train his teachers and students to use them.  It’s a very impressive school.  I asked the Principal what his biggest concern was – he responded that most of his children were being raised by their grandparents or siblings because their parents had died.  I am humbled.

The boys at Mashabela

Makgatsike was the site for a ‘KidSmart’ training session.  IBM donated a ‘KidSmart’ workstation and learning program to 25 schools – their ‘Kindergarten’ teachers were brought here for the day to learn how to use the computers and software.  Most of the teachers had never used a computer.  It’s such a long learning curve for them but they are truly excited about this opportunity.  If we can teach these 25 teachers about computers … imagine how many lives they can impact.  I am humbled yet again.

The Girls!

The Teachers

The Boys!

It’s a beautiful country with beautiful people.

Pictures by PB.

Our first day in the office - September 13th

Our first day in the office!  We’ve met many members of the client team and have been assigned 2 interns to work with us for the project.   

Roland and Rosalyn (one of our interns!!)

Narcisse, Prashanth and Carolyn - clearly working hard!

They are just out of college … young, enthusiastic and so very excited to work on this project with us. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for all of us.  We get to contribute what skills we can to developing a strategy to bring technology to 4000 schools and learn about their culture and country.  They get to learn what they can from us in a month to help formulate the direction technology will take for their schools, teachers and learners for the Province of Limpopo.

Our first day on assignment - September 12th

Being a big city girl where time is everything; what time you need to be where, how much time do I have, how much time will it take … time runs at a different rate here.  South Africa time!  It does the heart good to slow down.  Here is their official flower - the Protea!  It is quite large and beautiful.  This one has to be at least 8 inches across.

Our transportation arrangements were not yet finalized so we decided to work from the Lodge.  We had people from the Department of Education coming and going all day … much of that time was spent waiting for their arrival or notification that they would not arrive.  We did manage to get a few things accomplished and we knew for certain that tomorrow we had a ride and an office. 

The ‘Department of Education for the Province of Limpopo’ put on a special Welcome Reception for the team tonight.  It was a formal dinner where we were welcomed by Mr MD Mabote, Ms Cebile Khanye, and HOD, Mr Morebudi Thamaga – key government executives at the Provincial and District levels of Government.  It was an elaborate event that made us feel so very welcomed and appreciated … truly an honour.

.... and on to Polokwane - September 11th

The team is up and ready to hit the road by 9:00 am.  We have a 4 hour bus ride ahead of us … which should be a walk in the park after our 38 hour adventure to get to Johannesburg!!

The trip to Polokwane is lovely.  The scenery is diverse and so much different from what I am used to.  It’s the beginning of spring so they are just coming out of the dry season.  We should get to see the country blossom while we are here.

They have set up an elegant dinner for the team. The hotel dining room has been decorated and we are finally introduced to our clients face to face.  It was a warm and welcoming experience.  We are all anxious to begin our work.

A Day in Johannesburg - September 10th

After a good night’s rest, today the schedule is full.  First stop … the IBM office in Johannesburg for a meeting with our support team and a briefing on our work in South Africa!

Next stop .. the Cradle of Humankind for an education about evolution, a great lunch and a chance to place my hands in Nelson Mandela’s ….  handprints!

Before we went out to dinner, we had the opportunity to meet and enjoy the family hospitality of one of our colleagues.  Thank you Narcisse … you have a wonderful family!