Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Good evening guys!
We had such a great day today, but also a very sad one too. But, lets start with the better experiences first!
When mom and dad woke me up early in the morning today, we snuck out of the hut to not awake Nina. The sun was rising from the horizon and I had never experienced such a silent. The small hills that surrounded the hut looked like orange clouds and the cars on the highway far away looked like small ants racing against each other.
When Nina’s mom and dad arrived from the town with a big bouquet of flowers and a birthday present, we slowly walked toward the hut. We began to sing the Birthday song in English first, and then Nina’s parents continued in a South African version. I didn’t even try because of my bad pronunciation. I did not want to make a fool of myself on Nina's big day!
When our moms were preparing breakfast, we sneaked out of the hut to go for a short walk. Suddenly, Nina seemed to be in a bad mood, and as a good friend, I asked if something was wrong. I promised her that if anybody was trying to judge her, I was going to break his/hers neck! Nina just laughed at my reactions, but she quickly became serious again.
She told me that she once had a brother, Kafentse. He sadly died for six years ago and all the memories of him seemed to torture Nina at the moment. She started to shake because of the tears and managed to say that he died of Aids.
Mom and dad had told me a lot about Aids because dad actually works as a doctor. He has worked with AIDS research and has seen a lot of AIDS – patients and how it affects people.
I’ve learned that AIDS has evolved from a strange virus that disrupts our immune system and we become seriously ill at the slightest disorder that affects us.
One of the countries that hit hardest was South Africa. The country is a Catholic country and the church does not allow contraception. The development of AIDS became worse and more and more people died, and are still dying, of the disease. The living conditions during the apartheid system weren’t the best that caused the disease to spread even more. But the development of the disease has gotten much better as more and more blacks had access to education and knowledge. And as my dad says, it’s all about the sustainable Development in socially, economically, ecologically that matters.
After the talk, we slowly walked toward the hut again. While we were gone Nina’s parents had picked up a birthday cake from the small town nearby. It’s Nina’s 21st birthday and the tradition in South Africa is to give a key of gold, silver or aluminium on your 21st birthday.
It’s a symbol that the person is now ready to unlock the door to his or her future.
I think it’s a beautiful tradition that makes your 21st birthday something to look forwards to. In Sweden the big they is when you are 18. It opens your doors for many things, you are able to vote, get your driving license, allowed to drink alcohol and you are considered as an adult.
In the afternoon we visited Nina’s aunt Lerato and her cousins Abri,14, and Dingane, 8. They were living in a small apartment with only a kitchen and one bedroom. They didn’t seem bothered of the lack of space because all of them was dancing and singing all the time. I joined them and Nina’s cousins taught me some Zulu dancing steps.
We stayed over for dinner and Nina’s aunt makes so delicious food! We ate a spiced stew with meat and a lot of vegetables. It’s called Bredie and I think I got a new favourite dish!
During the dinner I asked Abri about her school. She told me that she catches the 6 am train to Idutywa every morning and it takes an hour and a half to get to school. The local village school has not a high standard and that’s why it’s worth the long way. Education is even more important in South Africa, especially if you are black. Unfortunately there are children that can’t afford school items and because of that they’re not able to attend school. Comparing to Sweden the school is free and we have compulsory schooling where rich and poor have right to get the same education.
After the dinner Abri showed her school uniform and all her schoolbooks. I think school uniforms are very practical because they it minimizes the gap between the wealthy and the poor ones, when everybody wears similar clothes. Every country that has been colonized by British settlers has school uniforms.
I think we should introduce school uniforms in Sweden as well. There would be less bullying and the focus would be in learning rather than fashion and clothes.
The day has been eventful and busy. I’m happy that I made new friends and hopefully we’ll meet some day again. We are leaving tomorrow and will return to the colourless Sweden again. Now I should take advantage of the last hours with Nina!
