Home Page: Willmore Adventures in South Africa
We have been on school holidays here in South Africa and it
was a stay-cation for us as we explored Johannesburg. We crawled through caves
at the Cradle of Humankind, reflected on humanity at Nelson Mandela’s house, and
played with some pretty ginormous snakes at a reptile park. All with the
addition of Grandpa who visited us from the UK.
 |
| Grandpa Kieran and the girls |
We had a great day out at the Cradle of Humankind. On the
outskirts of Johannesburg lies a complex of caves where two complete skeletons
of early man have been discovered. We went underground and travelled through
time, learning about the Earth’s history, and also squeezed through some tight
gaps (slightly tighter for me than the kids) to see where our ancestors were
found. Johannesburg has a pretty unique weather system with almost daily
thunder and lightning, often causing fires. The theory here is that we
discovered fire from lightning strikes and learnt how to control it to provide
heat, to cook and to ward off predators. Oh, how intelligent we are, (except
for the two who fell in a cave).
 |
| Deep in the caves at the Cradle of Humankind. |
The Cradle of Humankind also held an art exhibition which
was a parade of statues, each a figure and a personal story, of the resistance to
European supremacy over the native Africans. It was called the Long March to
Freedom and included tribal kings, missionaries, politicians, lawyers, men and
women; all whose personal sacrifice was for the greater good. Humanity
prevailed in South Africa when in 1994 freedom was given to all its citizens. This
moment was spearheaded by Nelson Mandela whose house we visited in the
Township of Soweto, (South West Township), south west of Johannesburg.
 |
| The Long March to Freedom |
 |
| With Nelson and Winnie Mandela leading the way. |
We travelled to Vilakazi Street, a massive tourist
attraction in Soweto. It is the only street in the world where two Nobel Peace Prize winners have lived, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Nelson and Winnie Mandela's house was a
constant target by the police and where the walls have visible bullet marks in
them to prove it. It remained in the family whilst Nelson was in prison for 30
years and Winnie, who tirelessly campaigned during that time, was banned from
the area. It is now a little museum where we learnt about their incredible
lives. Mama Winnie is revered here as much as Nelson is. The area, however, is
still desperately poor and reminded me that, in the words of Nelson Mandela, “It
is in your hands to make a better world for all who live in it”. We must all
play our part…
 |
| Standing on Nelson and Winnie Mandela's porch. |
 |
| A picture up in the Mandela household. 'Do they call women the weaker sex here too?' |
We spent a day at a reptile park in amongst all the silent and stealthy animals of this world. There were snakes, crocodiles, lizards and tortoises. Elowen was very daring when it came to holding some of these creatures, and the bigger they got the broader her smile! Amelie, Joel and I were less overjoyed by the occasion and saw it more as a challenge. Laurence discovered that the smell and taste of his feet were as attractive to a tortoise as a portion of fish and chips is to a British person. Either that or they were after a slice of his pizza, which we duly dropped under the picnic table for them. It was a fun day out if not a little unnerving.
 |
| Elowen the snake whisperer. |
 |
| Does it need a comment? |
Amelie has had an encounter with Accident and Emergency this
month after falling over whilst playing with a friend. She fractured her right
arm and spent three weeks in a cast; she was very relieved to get better and
back in the pool.
 |
| Amelie and her cast. |
Joel has been a very brave soul. After starting back at
preschool in January, it was decided that a different environment would suit
him better. So, we went on the hunt for a new school. A recommendation of a
Waldorf Steiner School came our way and we will be forever grateful. Joel has
found a place where he can be himself and be happy. What a relief.
 |
| Joel and Laurence on Day 1 of Steiner School. |
I hope you all had a fantastic Easter break full of family,
fun and reflection. We plough on into term two with an ever dropping outside
and inside temperature. Autumn is in full swing and winter beckons. Let’s see
how we get on without central heating!!!
 |
| A handmade broom by Elias, our complex's 85 year old gardener! |
Lots of love,
Jess x
Next post: There are Ants in my Sugar!
Previous post: Life in the Bush-veld with the Cows and the Crocs
