Back from Barberton

Just got back from Barberton. Was researching tenteleni strategy there. A really good project, although one which has so much more capacity to grow – it is a real shame that we under-recruited by so much this year as so much proj. dev. work put in last year will have gone to waste by not following up with the actual volunteers in placements. The township the volunteers work and live in is massive, and it seems to be safe enough to walk around without getting too much hassle. There is so much more of a feeling of community involvement than in the hostel&bus projects. This is really where Tenteleni should be headed. To put a bit of a downer on the visit, and my general optimism about homestays, one volunteer has just dropped out of their project – couldn't handle living with the family she was put with, although apparently she had other issues.

Barberton is in a truly spectacular setting, backing onto a range of mountains in the south, and to the north east, the hills around Nelspruit, making for an excellent sunset.

It was not allowed for me to stay with the local Tenteleni project co-ordinator as it was felt to be inappropriate – “people would talk”, so instead I stayed with a peace corps volunteer who had been there for nearly three years. Apparently all us white guys look the same, so where ever I went in town I was greeted with cries of “siyabonga” (his adoptive swazi name).

Next week i'm off to ask some Tenteleni related questions in Matsulu and Nkomazi. They're not too far away from lekazi, but far enough to merit staying there for the night, so I will get to meet some of their volunteers, and see what they have to say about their experience. It will also be a nice change from Generations (SA soap) in the evening. There are rumours that there might even be a braai when I arrive in Matsulu on Wednesday. This is definitely my favourite SA tradition, that whatever the occasion, it's probably a good idea to braai some meat.