The red trumpet looking thing is a vuvuzela - it is especially popular with the World Cup just around the corner!
The highlight of this weekend was visiting the primary school where our host mom, Zodwa, is the principal. The school is located about 40minutes drive from the Durban suburbs, in a more rural area. It accommodates grades R (kindergarten) to grade 3 and there are over 1100 learners who attend her school! Oh, “learner” is the term that is used in South Africa for “student.”
On Saturday, Zodwa and some other administrators had organized an optional fun day for the students, including football (soccer-boys) and netball (basketball –girls) against another primary school. When we arrived at the school before 09h00 (on a Saturday, mind you!) the learners were already waiting for us, in their uniforms and with their vuvuzelas. There was lots of singing, hooting of the vuvuzelas, and general enthusiasm about the special day. Not all of the students were able to participate in the sports, but Zodwa explained that one reason they came was for the free meal that is provided; often students will stash some of it to take home to help feed their families.
In general though, the learners demonstrated a spirit of resilience and hope: they played hard, cheered for their teammates and indulged me with hugs & smiles!
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