Mpho & Phumlani

We were invited to a wedding while visiting in South Africa. I used to work with the groom's father and my husband works with him presently. We felt very honoured to be invited, there were very few Whites. Both families are very well educated as are the bridal couple. It was interesting to see how they decided to celebrate their wedding - aspects of their own African culture as well as adopting many 'western' traditions.

They are from different tribes - she South Sotho and he Xhosa. This caused them some difficulty in the preparations and execution of the wedding as both traditions are strong - although it is my observation that the Sotho tribe, living in close proximity to Johannesburg, has been urbanized, where as the Xhosa from the previous Transkei are rural and as such have maintained their traditions and roots far more.

I was fascinated to discover that the tradition of 'labola' is still practiced. Labola is the 'gift' from the groom's family to the brides family. This was always paid in cattle in the past but logistics (the two families live far apart) and practicality (the bride's parents don't live on a farm) determined that a cash amount was paid. This is determined by various factors such as the girls social standing, level of education, etc. Before the young man could propose he needed to discuss all the details with his parents, they in turn made a trip to meet with the woman's parents and discussions took place. Then when this was agreed upon then they were free to marry. The groom confided that he'd asked he to marry him before that and the congregation laughed.

There was so much singing and dancing at the wedding. People were spontaneous and warm and the young couple looked so happy to be joining their lives together - I pray that they have a long and happy live of love together.

Mfenyana Wedding

The groom, in white, being led to the alter. His male relatives and friends are accomanying him, they are all dancing and singing traditional songs in their native Xhosa tongue. I really enjoyed this joyful and enthusiastic start to the wedding.
The father of the groom (a dear friend of ours) whatches and claps in time to the music as his son goes down the isle.
The beautiful bridesmaids and some guests wait for the bride and groom.
The mother of the bride and her sister. All the attendees at this wedding were dressed to the nines and I felt like a poor white (parden the expression!)

Baobab

This baobab grows in a resort (Tshipise) where it is part of a lovely green lawn and have received regular waterings. Notice the difference in shape between this 'well tended' baobab and the next photograph I took of another less pampered one only a few miles away.

Baobab Tree

The baobab tree is an iconic tree in Africa and loved dearly by any who live near where they grow. In South Africa this is in the far north on the Zimbabwe bourder. They only grow north of the tropic of capricorn. The fruit is cream of tarter in Afrikaans the tree is called a "Kremetart boom".

I see in a book* that baobabs can only grow in area with not more than 1 day frost per year! I guess that's why we don't see them in Canada much! All baobabs in South Africa have now been declared protected.

I took this photograph on the way to Tshipise, in the Northwest Province of South Africa.

This is my favourite tree, I love the shape and most of all the Africanness of it! It is huge, rugged and instead of dying when conditions are less than ideal it simply gets more character and its shape becomes more interesting.


* Making the most of indigenous trees - Fanie & Julye-Ann Venter.

Rondavel (traditional hut)

Rondavels are round houses that are copied from the Xhosa and other African tribes who build round houses. Traditionally they are built of a stick frame covered with mud and then thatched. All these materials are freely available on the African veld (grass land). South African resorts use this style commonly as a style of accomodation. They are basic but cool and very comfortable. Usually consist of 2 bedrooms, bathroom and common area with a kitchenette. In this weather the family spends very little time inside and this is very pleasant for the time one does.

Alcohol in Supermarkets

In South Africa, beer and wine is sold in supermarkets. All the beer and wine is locally produced and readily consumed. I have enjoyed drinking some old favourite wines.

The local currency is 'Rand'. The exchange rate is about R:$ = 6:1. In other words to calculate what an item is going to cost me I divide the amount by 6.

There is VAT and GST (taxes) on many products but all taxes are included in the price. The price on the label is what you pay at the till - it's wonderful - I wish the PEI Government would pass this kind of legislation. My son Rynier is the basket bearer.

Matric Dance

My eldest son attends school in Pretoria. At South African schools grade 12 is usually referred to as "Matric". This refers to the examination that is written at the end of the year. It is common to say "I am in matric." That would be understood to say you are completing your schooling in that year.

One of the highlights of the year is the Matric Dance - I imagine it is similar to a Prom but never having attended one I am not certain about this.

My son's Matric Dance is in May and so he decided he would like to hire a suit for the occasion. We went with him to select one. Here are his little helpers giving him unsolicited advice!

Pool area

This is my sister and brother-in-law's back yard. The thatched area is called a 'lapa'. The design is very common in Africa. Thatch is very cool and grass is easy to come by. There are no walls to allow a free flow of air to cool one off. The pool is nearby if it is still to hot!

Under the lapa they have chairs and on the other side a large wooden dining room table where we easily seat 12. This is where all the entertaining happens in the summer and even in the winter during the days the weather is lovely and warm and this is the most pleasant place to be. This area makes entertaining very pleasant and relaxed. The compulsory 'braai' (barbecue) area is also close by. In South Africa 'briquettes', made from coal, are used as wood is becoming very scarce and pollution in the large cities is a problem.

Warmbaths

Warmbaths is a small town in South Africa, north of the capital Pretoria. As a child my parents would take us there. There were hot pools with waterfalls and fountains. Over the years when I became a parent I would take my son there. They built slides and tubes and the nicest part is that one pays one entrance fee and you are free to use all the equipment. The children love it.

This week it was a treat (now that we are on holiday from Canada) to visit this old spot with my young children. They put on their bathing suits and I don't see them for hours. They never stop going down the slides and running up the stairs with their endless energy. I was concerned about our pale, winter Canadian skins under the warm African sun but the sun screen did it's job and we had a wonderful visit.

An African school was on an outing for the day. I wanted to capture the children swimming in the paddling pool so I wondered over. When they spotted me with my camera they waved, danced, cheered and begged me to photograph them. I don't know who had more fun me or them!

Flying to Africa

We flew from Charlottetown (via the Tim Hortons drive-thru!) to Halifax and then after supper and some window shopping off to London. We had planned to explore London but the 6 hour flight left us very tired (having been unable to resist watching some of the latest movies on our private minuture TV screens on the back of the seat in front.)
The 12 hour stopover was a little brutal but we made it through and were soon on our way to Johannesburg South Africa. Both flights were overnight and left us disorentated and exhausted.
We were very happy to finaly arrive at our destination.