Jabulani Project

Alex

(Monday 6th February)

The students set off early for their placements. Emma, Fiona, Isaac and Nathaniel go to Umthombo. We have visited once. They are apprehensive but up for it.
Caragh, Edee, Anna, Charis and Caitlin head for Umlazi. Emmanuel accompanies them to familiarise them with the khumbi routes. I feel very anxious but this is what this is about. I have to let them be in control. They go to Maskey and the new little creche run by Emmanuel's mum.
They return happy that it went well. The creche was excellent. Maskey less so. They also had an appointment at Place of Safety which goes really well. They start a week's training there next Monday. More of that later.

(Tuesday 7th February)

Next day they do it alone. I am so nervous. We discuss clothing. Five scantily clad white girls on the khumbis is not the best idea. As always they cooperate and off they go.
I go off to meet with Themba(at last) and Bongani. We have a brilliant meeting. Themba has asked me to present to the "ward" or district he manages The ward is central durban schools, many of them privileged. He wants me to hit them hard about their responsibility towards township schools and to focus on Leadership. I am so pleased. He looks well, obviously recovered from the illness that has been affecting him for the last year or so.
I receive a panicky phone call mid morning saying they are being asked to clean out a hideous storage area in Maskey which is full of rats. I tell them to get out of there immediately. I ask Themba to help with Zulu but it is not necessary. I remember the area well. The Cathro family and I had done it before on Mandela Day. I am concerned tha the workers in Maskey do not take their work seriously enough. The girls manage it and find another creche nearby. They return exhausted but pleased with themselves so they should be.
Next day they chill and head off to the new creche for the following two days. They love it. Over 60 little ones in cramped conditions but it is a happy place. They take food.

(Thursday 9th February)

On the 9th, I head of to Westville Campus, UKZN on behalf of EICL. Two of the intended attendees do not materialise (is this a recurrent theme?), but I have a good meeting with Professor Slotow and Sally Frost, in charge of community liaison. Agreement about reciprocal placements and graduations between Edinburgh and UKZN is agreed and we explore further possibilities for the advancement of township students. I also offer our students to help develop a more international outlook in the student body and assistance for those whose English is poor. We need to meet again. I have been given a contact at the School of Education where I hope to have an input with student teachers. I feel happy.

(Friday 10th February)

We go out to Zwelibanzi and Dloko to prime the students and staff about the arrival of the JGHS S6 group and to emphasise the importance of the links. I explain once more that I am not the Principal. It feels painful but necessary.
I am also delighted to collect the John Byrne entries. Success!!!!!
We rush to the airport to welcome the Gillespies party and contribute to the outpouring of joy and music and dance. The airport is once more brought to a halt. Can there be anything quite like this anywhere else in the world. It is life affirming and makes me so proud of our young people. I am once more overwhelmed by how easily the two cultures embrace each other. Back into the khumbi for the now familiar riotous journey to Durban.
I rush into the hotel in the evening to say hello and to thank them for my "hoodie". I am so touched. They are happy to be here but exhausted. I take my two zulu ambassadors Lucky and Emmanuel as well as Teju Chetty. I have a lovely reunion with the staff and students. I feel very emotional.