Travel Observations
February 2025, Western Cape, South Africa.
In 2025 I am travelling to the places of my birth and early childhood - South Africa, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Hermanus. Recapturing the senses of first experiences.
Although recognising that the place of origin is in fact a ‘third country’ where much is changed during over 60 years. I left when I was nearly 3 years old returning again to visit when I was 7, 11, 20 and then in 1995. Each time returning to a rapidly evolving country.
These mountains, fertile land and sun remain. The people greet the stranger with a friendly smile and wave. The sea is majestic. The land offers its hospitality, its warm temperate weather, rich resources, fertile land with fruit, fish, fynbos, animals, natural springs and rivers.
Socioeconomic differences remain. Well off people seek protection from outbursts of violent crime by barbed wires, tall white walls and private security. Yoyo - a street trader , I met in Franceshoek, and Mohammed- a refugee from Somalia- a Uber driver- spoke about the important need for army protection from gangster crime. Their homes in the townships need to be freed from gun violence and intimidation. Greater equality, education, skills and job opportunities, legal checks and enforcement against corruption are all still needed.
Yet people are jogging, wind surfing, mountain biking, swimming, rock climbing, dancing, singing songs of celebration and togetherness. Building new roads, bridges and homes. Creating art , crafts , clothes and culture, decorating their homes with objects and images from nature- seaweed, shells and stones, mark making and framing the human condition and consciousness , creating cultural signifiers, love letters, sculptures, traditional spices, herbs, preserved foods and developing new health products from traditional medicinal plants, recycling and protecting the environment.
South African research centres are working alongside global partners to repair the world, ecology and afflictions.
In this country today I have experienced the celebration of the traditional and the contemporary, the magnificent natural world, its resources and the diversity of ancient traditions, emerging cultures and the digital revolution. Respect and love of all this diversity and its potential power pervades this amazing country.
“Amandla”. Zulu and Xhosa word means power and freedom from oppression.
Maureen Kendal