Why visit South Africa?

For all three of us (Eric, Jessica & and Jessica’s sister Erica) this will be our first visit to Africa.  Why South Africa?

For years we have heard about the incomparable beauty of South Africa. Our family friend Paula grew up in South Africa and spoke often of her love of the country of her birth. We met Paula’s father Derek, who had an apple farm outside of Cape Town, and we met other members of Paula’s family.  We learned how to make Paula’s family recipe for bobotie, the national dish of South Africa.

We read books about South Africa—Disgraced by JM Coetzee, Born A Crime by Trevor Noah, Collected Short Stories of Nadine Gordimer, My Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela, and The Covenant by James Michener.

South Africa has a unique history and culture. What we thought would never happen in our lifetimes — the end of apartheid — happened.  Like the rest of the world, we watched in amazement as Nelson Mandela, imprisoned for 27 years, 18 years on Robben Island, triumphed to become the first president of a post-apartheid South Africa in 1994 — this revolution occurring without bloodshed or a protracted civil war.  South Africa is a walking illustration of the power of a nonviolent movement.

All of these exposures to South African life cultivated our interest in this country. Still, a visit to South Africa would have remained on the back burner but for a small article in the HeightsObserver about group trips to South Africa organized by Cleveland Heights neighbors Jan and Gus Kious. This community-minded, civically active couple offered reasonably priced, 21-day small group trips to Jan’s home country twice a year with their mom and pop operation, South African Journeys.  Jan and Gus love South Africa and want to share this country with others. We signed up for the April trip.

 And so, the adventure begins, and the three of us partner again

 . . .

Jessica