Easter with Shepherd and the Eggs of Limpopo

Home Page: Willmore Adventures in South Africa

Hello Everyone and welcome to another instalment of our family adventures in South Africa. With Easter fast approaching it seems only fitting to delve back into the world of Shepherd our gardener and to visit his chicken farm in the rural province of Limpopo. An expansion of the farm to include a coup of egg laying chickens has been this year’s success story. So, it’s eggs at Easter here for Shepherd and his young family. 

Let us refresh ourselves on Shepherd’s story, discover more about his family and the common problems that face South Africans, and follow them on this eggtraordinary adventure. 

Shepherd

We first met Shepherd back in 2018 when we moved out to South Africa from the UK. He was the gardener of our rental property, and we got to know him over lunch every week as we learnt about South Africa through his stories growing up in this beautiful land. Shepherd’s wife, Rebecca, passed away in 2019 after a very brief battle with cancer leaving behind five children, two of whom were still at school. It was a really difficult time for him and for his children who were now left to live on their own in their rural homeland of Limpopo whilst Shepherd continued to work in the city of Johannesburg. Shortly after, Laurence and I discovered that Shepherd and Rebecca had had a dream to run a chicken farm, which due to financial reasons had never come to fruition. So, with a desire to see Shepherd’s family recover from the tragedy of Rebecca’s death, and to see him rise out of poverty and realise his dream, we hatched a plan which resulted in the creation of ‘Shepherd and Rebecca’s Chicken Farm’ back in January 2020. It was such an exciting time, and it was also a step closer to Shepherd being able to return home and retire with a sustainable income. 

The first ever batch of meat chickens on
Shepherd and Rebecca's Chicken Farm back in 2020

After a year of Shepherd’s family running the farm on their property in Limpopo, it became apparent that a second form of income would be needed. A batch of chickens had all fallen ill and died, leaving the family without an income for that month. Shepherd decided that he needed to broaden his horizons so that he wasn’t completely reliant on chickens for their meat. Eggs was the solution, and so Christmas 2020 saw Shepherd and his family build a coup for some egg laying chickens. Phase 2 of the farm was complete, and we just needed to wait for the chickens. It wasn’t until a whole year later when Shepherd was home for Christmas in 2021, that he had the time to rear 30 chicks and establish the egg laying side of the business. As January 2022 started and Shepherd once again returned to Jo’burg for his work as a gardener, we waited with anticipation to hear if the egg layers were a laying… The end of January and the first few weeks of February passed, and still there was no news of eggs from Limpopo. The cost of feeding the chickens was eating into the only bit of money Shepherd had, and that was meant to pay for food for his family in Limpopo and himself in Jo’burg. We researched ways to improve the environment for the chickens, and Shepherd had boxes added for the chickens to lay eggs in, and branches in the coup for perching. Shepherd then decided that the chickens would need more food in order to have the energy to lay, so with a final outlay of money to buy more feed, we waited again for the prized eggs. Towards the end of February, Shepherd was rewarded with his efforts…the chickens started to lay, he finally had eggs! It took a few weeks before the chickens were laying like clockwork, and food was increased yet again as they started to eat their own eggs, but as of the end of March 2022, the chickens were laying enough eggs to cover their own feed, and even some extra for profit. 

The arrival of the egg laying chickens, Christmas 2021

Eggs, eggs, eggs!

We are so happy for Shepherd and his family with what they have achieved over the last few years. Our weekly lunches continue three and a half years on from when we first met, and our understanding and appreciation of Shepherd’s life deepens every time. Here is a little insight into the family he holds so dear… 

Shepherd with his mom, Muofhe, who at 83 still
sleeps on the floor every night without a mattress. 

Phindulo (Pretty) , the first born at 29
and a teacher in Limpopo

Pfarelo, the second born who looks after
the family and manages the meat chickens
with the third born, Thabelo (Kingsley).

Shepherd and the two youngest boys, Mutikedzi and
Rikundele during the initial build back in 2020. 

Shepherd, like many South Africans, has suffered immeasurable loss in his life. As a child he lost his twin brother to something that was no doubt curable, and as an adult, he lost his older brother, Ayhashoni, to a vengeful poisoning at work, and who died in his arms. He also lost his younger brother, Tshimangadzo, who just disappeared one day. Someone disappearing is apparently quite common out here, as body parts are requested and used by witch doctors to make medicine known as ‘muthi’. The country is so vast and the practice so widespread that the police haven't the means to investigate. As a result of these significant events in his life, Shepherd tries to protect and support his family in any way that he can. Phase 1 of the chicken farm with the meat chickens gave his older children, Phindulo and Thabelo, a job and a purpose when unemployment is so high in South Africa, and Phase 2 with the egg laying chickens has given his nephew, Humbulani, who is disabled and unable to find work, a job and a purpose too. Humbulani, sells the eggs from Shepherd’s home, and if he has any left over at the end of the week, boils them and takes them down to the local football ground to sell as snacks to the supporters. Retirement for Shepherd moves ever closer and ever more possible as he nears 60. We hope when it comes, it will be an exciting and not a stressful time for him.

Shepherd's nephew, Humbulani.

For the Willmore Family, these past few months have been extremely busy. School and school trips for the children (Amelie is currently surfing with her class mates in Durban), and work and more work for the adults. I have said goodbye to my volunteering with the French organisation, Creche Gabrielle, that I worked at once a week for a year. I will now start back up at The Riversands Primary School in the township of Diepsloot where I taught before Covid and which has finally returned to full time education 2 years after the start of the pandemic. Shepherd has also been helping me in our veggie patch at home providing me with the tools to become more sustainable in our own lives too.  

The Willmore's just before Amelie left
on her week long school trip,
and Amelie surfing the Durban waves...

Saying goodbye to the little ones at Creche Gabrielle

Photobombing a final imaginary tea party!

Posing with Shepherd in amongst
 the maize in our veggie patch. 

So, it's eggs in Limpopo that we are celebrating this Easter, and Shepherd's step closer to a sustainable way of life for him and his family. Thanks so much everyone for reading the blog and for all your support. I hope you are all safe and well. 

And let us keep all the people of Ukraine in our hearts at this time. 

Lots of love, Jess xxx

Previous post: Saving Lives and Saving Face!

Next post: Fresh Water, Salt Water, No Water, Floods!

Related posts: Shepherd's Dream of Chickens, Life in the Bush-veld with the Cows and the Crocs

Some extra pics from the last few months...

Friday treat at the Bryanston Garden Centre

Mardi Gras style parade at the French school.
Joel is dressed up as 'love'.

Elowen as a cheetah.

Amelie as a last minute monkey.

Saving Lives and Saving Face!

Home Page: Willmore Adventures in South Africa

Drama at sea has shaped our summer holidays here in South Africa. From Port Elizabeth to Coffee Bay, we’ve tested the waves and tested our knowledge. Here is a peak into this summer’s Willmore Adventure.

Online school in French, preparing for Christmas, recovering from Covid, and questioning my sanity…the lead up to Christmas was somewhat hectic to say the least. So, when they arrived, we celebrated the holidays with great relief. We enjoyed a Christmas day in Jo’burg with Laurence’s mom’s family, complete with a summer’s Christmas day swim. Usually everyone politely refuses my mulled wine in high summer, but this year the weather was mild enough for it to be a hit! And then shortly after Christmas, as with the rest of Johannesburg, we set off for the coast, our destination being Port Elizabeth to visit Laurence’s stepmom, Bev.

Christmas Day swim!

Christmas celebrations at our house,
complete with mulled wine.

I spoke in my last post about all the regional African languages that South Africa has, and as a result it’s rich cultural history. Whilst the colonialists were quite good at replacing it with their own, native African history is now making its rightful return. Port Elizabeth, named as such in 1820 after a Governor’s wife, in 2021 became Gqeberha, which is the name of a river in the Eastern Cape Province where PE is located and home to the Xhosa people. It’s a mouthful for even the most experienced Xhosa speaker, with the G followed by a click, but it’s a great opportunity for people to learn something of the history of the area. So, we were in fact headed to Gqeberha for our holiday.

A map of South Africa where you can see
Port Elizabeth, now Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape.

On one sunny and slightly windy day, whilst standing at the sea’s edge and wondering if I was going to get in after counting to three or simply just going to return to my towel, the lifeguards rather dramatically sprinted past me complete with yellow surfboard and red 'David Hasselhoff' float. Everyone naturally went very quiet and watched as they paddled out to what we later realised was a non-swimmer who had been swept out of her depth. I naturally went to count my family members, seeing that the girls were together jumping shallow waves and Joel was throwing a ball to a dog. It was only when I started to look for Laurence that I realised he was in the thick of the action and had been the first to respond to the lady in distress. He kept her afloat until the lifeguards reached them, after which, like a superhero, he emerged from the water back to the shore. I felt so proud of him that I wanted to tell everyone on the beach that he was my husband! Well done Laurence for being so perceptive and quick to react! It is rather ironic however, that, 24 hours earlier, the opposite could be said of Laurence about his wife. Said wife, aka me, was frolicking in the waves and enjoying a good body surf, when a particularly strong wave caught her off guard. The strength of said wave caused a rather unfortunate underwater wardrobe malfunction otherwise known as, ‘bikini bottoms lost at sea’! And whilst Laurence came to her rescue and the bikini bottoms were restored to their rightful place, I’m not sure that when she emerged from the water that day, he saw a superhero in her, nor do I think he wanted to tell everyone that she was his wife! But we were able to laugh about it all the same. Well done Jessica for maintaining a sense of humour!

A visual of David Hasselhoff complete with
'Baywatch' red float and yellow surf board, ha!

The girls surfing the waves at Sardinia Bay,
where all the drama unfolded...

Races on the Sardinia Bay sand dunes.

New Year's Eve celebrations
sitting outside in the summer heat.

After a wonderful week in Gqeberha, we travelled up the east coast to a remote area called Coffee Bay on the Wild Coast. Named after washed up cargo of coffee that promptly grew along the coastline, it is the last village in the Xhosa territory before the Mthatha River and Pondoland beyond. We spent 2 days kayaking and exploring with a guide, Mzo, who told us about Coffee Bay and the folklore and fairytales of the local culture. One particular tale was that of the sea people who live underwater, ready to snatch an unsuspecting child who would dare to show them their knees under the water. It was a story to instill fear of the sea in a young child growing up on the shores of Coffee Bay so that they wouldn’t go in too far without an adult. He also explained that the ‘wild’ in Wild Coast was a reference to the sea and not the land, which I had previously assumed, and that the ship carrying coffee wrecked at sea was no one off accident but, in fact, a common occurrence.

Laurence, Amelie and Elowen
looking down over Coffee Bay.

An evening view from Coffee Bay.

Joel and I kayaking in the mangroves
on the Mthatha River.

Laurence and Amelie at the
mouth of the Mthatha River.

Another site at Coffee Bay of 'The Hole in the Wall',
another place filled with fairytales and folklore.

 So, with the help of Mzo and the local folklore at Coffee Bay, coupled with our experiences at sea the week before in the wild waters of Gqeberha, we certainly learnt our lesson to be extra careful in the sea off the Wild Coast. And, if in the future anyone dares visit those shores and dares to dip a toe in those waters, I can say with absolute certainty that the sea people will be lurking, ready to take their next victim. I can also say with absolute certainty that it would be prudent to take a one-piece swimming costume!

The heroics of Laurence and my unfortunate ‘Bikinigate’ drama will certainly go down in Willmore Folklore as we continue our adventures in South Africa in 2022. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful New Year. We can’t wait for our visit home this July! The countdown is on!

Lots of love,

Jess x  

Next post: Easter with Shepherd and the Eggs of Limpopo

Previous post: For the Love of Language...Sawubona, Bonjour, Hello!  

South Africa: The Wild West and The Wild Coast…

Home Page: Willmore Adventures in South Africa

Wild seems to be an appropriate word to describe the start to this year. Whether it’s been a lost hippo roaming the streets of our neighbouring suburb Fourways; a brush with the darker side of humanity and life in the city of Johannesburg; or an experience in the most remote and untouched part of South Africa; It Has Been Wild!

Just your average local news...

There was a two-week delay to the start of the school year out here in SA as we rode the second wave of Covid (which was just as well with a hippo on the loose). We decided to have some batteries wired up to the mains electricity due to government power outages being ever more frequent. As a result of this power supply unpredictability, batteries are in high demand as well as being an expensive commodity. In a population where so few can afford them, and at a time where job security is so fragile, crime is unfortunately inevitable. Our engineer, Neville, fitted ours without a problem, but as he returned to complete the job on the second day, fully laden with the batteries for his next client, he was hijacked at our security gate by two gunmen who stole his van, with the batteries inside, and drove over him as they got away. Thank goodness he was just bruised and shaken up, and not more seriously hurt, and thank goodness for a security check point before our house, otherwise the action would have unfolded in our front garden, with all the children at home learning remotely. South African’s are hardy folk, because they have to be, and so within two days of his ordeal, Neville was back to finish the job, albeit staying alert and in a bit of pain. It is without doubt the darker side of South African life and a product of the wealth divide ever present in day-to-day life. For one day it came uncomfortably close, and our little estate became like the Wild West!

Home learning: the 2021 way...

The entrance to our estate and the
spot where our engineer was hijacked.

In February we joined Laurence’s university friends for a long weekend camping on the Wild Coast. A place so remote it took twelve hours to drive there, along dirt roads, through jungle, and around goats, cows, pigs, chickens, and the occasional machete wielding four-year-old! We shared a beach with a herd of cows and goats, and a river with some jumping fish. The children roamed wild from dawn til dusk, only to return for food. To the local tribe it is called Pondo Land and is the area that Nelson Mandela grew up. To me it is the most beautiful place on Earth, and I could have stayed forever…

An African rondavel. Country living.

Our descent into Manteku Camp, Wild Coast.

A beach to ourselves...

Except for the herd of cows and goats!

At the mouth of the Mzintlava River.

Joel as my spotter on the canoe.

Manteku Camp.

A local Pondo lady using a poykie pot
 to cook traditional bread.

All the kiddies playing together on the sand dune.

We have been lucky enough to squeeze in a second weekend away camping this March, before Summer finally draws to a close. Just north of Johannesburg, in Magaliesburg, there are some beautiful gorges, so we went hiking and rock pooling there with friends. At the campsite we were raided routinely at dawn by a troop of monkeys which, as Brits and therefore new to this experience, we thoroughly enjoyed. Our unfortunate teenage camping neighbours, who were yet to rise one morning, had three monkeys sitting like humans in their camping chairs and hammock, helping themselves to some pringles left out on the table from the night before. A South African man, who was perhaps not enjoying the moment like us fresh faced foreigners, came bounding out from behind a bush to spoil the party; with arms spread wide, carrying a rock in either hand, and making deep guttural grunting noises like a big monkey, he scared the party revellers away! If ever there was a real life ‘Animal Farm’ moment, this was it!

The girls enjoying a rock slide in the river.

Rock pooling in the gorge.

A monkey hanging out with us on our car.

So, there we have it…wild animals, wild humans, and a wild world. South Africa has it all in spades, and the Wild Willmore’s are fitting right in…

Lots of love to the Northern Hemisphere as you finally emerge from winter. I hope Easter is a truly joyous celebration.  Let the Covid compliant Spring and Summer adventures begin!

Jess xxx

Next post: From Beetroot to Bushmen

Previous post: Pinkies and Penguins

New uniform for Amelie and
Elowen in Grades 5 and 4.

Back to school for Joel for his
3rd year in Kindergarten with his
 lovely teacher Mrs Cardoso.

Just a nice photo, having coffee at Mugg and Bean.

Birthday celebrations for me,
with half of Laurence's siblings...

With Ann and Caroline, friends and fellow teachers.
Saying a fond farewell to Caroline as she
returns to the UK (and into hotel quarantine).

My wonderful hockey team at the end
of a great summer season.

Easter celebrations for Joel
at his Waldorf Steiner School.