It feels like I have been here forever and I have no concept of what it is going to be like when I return next week to Europe, even though this part of Africa is nothing like the Africa I grew up in, I can truely confirm to every one that if one is born in Africa ....Africa runs through your veins, I cannot say it is home as I believe that France is my HOME but my umbilicle cord is still attached to the native land of Africa.
I have been here now for 6 weeks and my observation and opinion of the different cultures without the politics is one of a great understanding now that I am older....I would not have been able to have these observations if it were not the position I have been living in...
I am staying on an estate with a predominately white community (200 people) the folk here are from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Australia. They are all employed by a large mining company First Quantum they mine copper, cobalt, gold and sub minerals....it is owned by Zimbabweans ...this mine was only bought in 2004 and the development of the Solwezi town has grown within the last 5 years .... before the development this area was and still is very native....now people from all over Zambia are coming to this area to find work, and make money. Within Zambia there are 72 tribes all speaking their own dialect as well as they all have their own traditions.
My observation :
I have had the privilege while I have been here to meet and spend time with the cross section of people here in Solwezi / Laumali (Village)... with the minority that have money Black or White they are prejudice as well as having the privileges of having an education and not tradition..... I have been questioning myself while being here which is the most valued in life that would not cause anger, pain , despair and mistrust.
My answer to the question are the people that have both ...education as well as tradition....and this is very rare, most of the educated sections (minority) of the community do not have tradition and are driven selfishly by their own self importance. The traditional sections of the community (majority) are hunter gatherers and live the very life of subsistence and existence. The middle sector (min minority) have the tradition and have grown up with tradition and they have had the privilege of education whether is be to a 12 year old standard which is more likely....this sector have the aspirations to look after the traditional aspects as well as the education to move within a world that is developing, although very slow it works with greatness....the people that I have met within this sector are so inspiring as their needs and development are not for themselves but for one another. The examples are the "Women's Club" and the " Holland Disabled group" ...I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have had and will not regret my experiences.
This week I went into a village called Laumali which is completely rural, there was no running water, no electric ....certainly none of the luxuries that we take for granted.
The drive was 45 mins on the main road out of Solwezi and then 5 km's drive on the most duggered mud road to the village, this road to the village is mainly used by foot and the odd car once a week will pass through collecting anyone that would like to have a trip into Solwezi....
I did not know what to expect, but one certainly expects the worst conditions, so when I arrived it was a pleasant surprise, the view was absolutely stunning, one couldn't wish for a better vista,over looking the vlei ....the mud hut which was owned by Katherine was done to a standard that was exceptionally comfortable...for the first time in my six weeks there was no rain and we watched the sunset and prepared our dinner .... we chewed the fat around the fire and then it was time to pee... oooo, there was a long drop for pooing but peeing is done in the bush....mmmm.... now it is dark.... pitch black, which my miniature torch in my mouth scanning the area as I am squatting... snakes or any other kreepy krawlies, where are the kritters? I managed to relieve myself rather quickly, and for some reason it is always the longest wee wee ever no matter how hard you push out....but, I had broken the seal and that's not great. I retired to bed .... as there was 4 of us in the hut I was so aware that my growling of snoring would keep everyone awake....so I was desperately trying not to fall into a deep sleep....I woke about 3am needing another weewee and managed to negotiate my way out of the hut and really my heart was racing with fear of any wild dogs, animals that would greet me, but successfully nothing made my acquaintance .
We woke early 5.30am on Thursday morning to bid Sarah & Corne a farewell and sat outside enjoying the fresh air and peace and quiet, we lit a fire to boil water for a much needed coffee. Then children from every direction appeared as if they had dropped from the sky....the most delightful sight as they appeared in various attire, bare feet and massive grins as well as fascination expressions on there faces....one little girl Lavinda with her sister Rose did the washing of the dishes, and I prepared a few books so I could read to the children...they gathered around and listened as I expressed the words of the book ...they mimicked my expressions and words they enjoyed the sounds of.....they were engrossed with my hair, the colour and the texture so I was touched with great enthusiasm .... the children were also amazed how big I was ....in this area I can possibly confirm that I am the biggest women the locals have seen.... now this largeness is what all women aim for, it is sexy, it shows wealth and great prosperity......how do I not revel in this belief....I walked through the village with my head held high, children running in a line behind me running and calling the folk to come out and look at me....
I have been here now for 6 weeks and my observation and opinion of the different cultures without the politics is one of a great understanding now that I am older....I would not have been able to have these observations if it were not the position I have been living in...
I am staying on an estate with a predominately white community (200 people) the folk here are from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Australia. They are all employed by a large mining company First Quantum they mine copper, cobalt, gold and sub minerals....it is owned by Zimbabweans ...this mine was only bought in 2004 and the development of the Solwezi town has grown within the last 5 years .... before the development this area was and still is very native....now people from all over Zambia are coming to this area to find work, and make money. Within Zambia there are 72 tribes all speaking their own dialect as well as they all have their own traditions.
My observation :
I have had the privilege while I have been here to meet and spend time with the cross section of people here in Solwezi / Laumali (Village)... with the minority that have money Black or White they are prejudice as well as having the privileges of having an education and not tradition..... I have been questioning myself while being here which is the most valued in life that would not cause anger, pain , despair and mistrust.
My answer to the question are the people that have both ...education as well as tradition....and this is very rare, most of the educated sections (minority) of the community do not have tradition and are driven selfishly by their own self importance. The traditional sections of the community (majority) are hunter gatherers and live the very life of subsistence and existence. The middle sector (min minority) have the tradition and have grown up with tradition and they have had the privilege of education whether is be to a 12 year old standard which is more likely....this sector have the aspirations to look after the traditional aspects as well as the education to move within a world that is developing, although very slow it works with greatness....the people that I have met within this sector are so inspiring as their needs and development are not for themselves but for one another. The examples are the "Women's Club" and the " Holland Disabled group" ...I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have had and will not regret my experiences.
This week I went into a village called Laumali which is completely rural, there was no running water, no electric ....certainly none of the luxuries that we take for granted.
The drive was 45 mins on the main road out of Solwezi and then 5 km's drive on the most duggered mud road to the village, this road to the village is mainly used by foot and the odd car once a week will pass through collecting anyone that would like to have a trip into Solwezi....
I did not know what to expect, but one certainly expects the worst conditions, so when I arrived it was a pleasant surprise, the view was absolutely stunning, one couldn't wish for a better vista,over looking the vlei ....the mud hut which was owned by Katherine was done to a standard that was exceptionally comfortable...for the first time in my six weeks there was no rain and we watched the sunset and prepared our dinner .... we chewed the fat around the fire and then it was time to pee... oooo, there was a long drop for pooing but peeing is done in the bush....mmmm.... now it is dark.... pitch black, which my miniature torch in my mouth scanning the area as I am squatting... snakes or any other kreepy krawlies, where are the kritters? I managed to relieve myself rather quickly, and for some reason it is always the longest wee wee ever no matter how hard you push out....but, I had broken the seal and that's not great. I retired to bed .... as there was 4 of us in the hut I was so aware that my growling of snoring would keep everyone awake....so I was desperately trying not to fall into a deep sleep....I woke about 3am needing another weewee and managed to negotiate my way out of the hut and really my heart was racing with fear of any wild dogs, animals that would greet me, but successfully nothing made my acquaintance .
We woke early 5.30am on Thursday morning to bid Sarah & Corne a farewell and sat outside enjoying the fresh air and peace and quiet, we lit a fire to boil water for a much needed coffee. Then children from every direction appeared as if they had dropped from the sky....the most delightful sight as they appeared in various attire, bare feet and massive grins as well as fascination expressions on there faces....one little girl Lavinda with her sister Rose did the washing of the dishes, and I prepared a few books so I could read to the children...they gathered around and listened as I expressed the words of the book ...they mimicked my expressions and words they enjoyed the sounds of.....they were engrossed with my hair, the colour and the texture so I was touched with great enthusiasm .... the children were also amazed how big I was ....in this area I can possibly confirm that I am the biggest women the locals have seen.... now this largeness is what all women aim for, it is sexy, it shows wealth and great prosperity......how do I not revel in this belief....I walked through the village with my head held high, children running in a line behind me running and calling the folk to come out and look at me....
