The San, Khoi-Khoi, and a Host of Others...

One of my assignments at Norkem Park High School is to teach 8th-grade learners in a class called H.S.S. (Human and Social Sciences). Having not taught 8th-graders since the very beginning of my long career, I hunched over a bit when it was learned my year would be full of those energetic, sometimes troublesome youngsters. The first grade of high school at N.P.H.S. is 8th-grade--similar to many high schools beginning with the 9th-grade in the U.S.

I have quickly adapted to the very large classes on my "time-table." South African educators call their schedules a time-table. The learners have their time-tables too. To me, it is a confusing, almost cursed method in which to conduct the business of education...or is it? There is what is called a "cycle": a learner will see me five times in a given week with the cycle being two weeks. I'm told the testing will begin soon--the madness they teach to. Yes, educators here teach specifically for the test. My complaint to them is the fact that creativity is truly arrested with such subservience to the test. This is beginning to sound like my same complaint regarding the shackles placed on American teachers as a result of the Bush Administration's hallowed N.C.L.B. (No Child Left Behind) dictates to school districts across America.

Anyway, today I was venturing a discussion of the San society/culture. Most of the learners feel the San were "primitive." The cut and paste material they have been given to learn from is poorly conceived and poorly written. For instance, the information states the San could not read and write. I posed a simple question to my learners: gliding over to one of them, I asked what thought comes to mind when you learn they could not read and write? A hand shot up and the girl stated, "They were stupid!" Sensing this would be her sentiment, I quickly pounced on what she said and told the class the exact opposite was true of the San.

The stone-age San were survivalists--they had to be to inhabit a land that was basically without water and lacked trees for building shelters. The San were cave dwellers. They knew of 20 edible insects. I asked the class if the San knew such things for survival, then were they "stupid?" Most said no. Then I informed them of the fact that the San knew of 180 plants, roots, and tubers that were edible or were used for obtaining water from the ground. I asked them if they thought they could survive if we suddenly found ourselves in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. A resounding no was heard in the room.

We discussed division of labor amongst the San--who did the hunting, who did the gathering? If the men did the hunting was communication vital in search for animals? Yes, they had to have communication skills, hunting skills, stalking skills. The San had to fashion tools from stone, wood, or bone--another skill necessary for survival in the harsh environment.

Study of the Khoi-Khoi engendered the same commitment to understanding the intelligence of these ancient peoples. The Khoi-Khoi had a pastoral society. Cattle, goats, and sheep were herded. We discussed the skills needed to keep domesticated animals.

The art of the San entered into the discussion--their cave art and carvings are well-known in South Africa. Religion became a topc, as did family structure and leadership skills that were needed to develop kinship amongst the groups. It seems the San and the Khoi-Khoi had conflicts largely because of the cattle kept by one and the nature of differences in a pastoral society versus a more nomadic society. We learned both groups were nomadic though.

I extended the lesson beyond the copies given to me to teach the learners. It became necessary to have them understand the nature of a civilization--what determines civilizations? What is culture? Can learning and education take place within a society such as the San and the Khoi-Khoi. They knew the answer: yes!

We'll continue with the lessons tomorrow, although a test was promised to check their learning. They seemed eager to review their notes and go back over the two pages distributed by the H.O.D. (Head of Department). I consider myself a facilitator...I'll do whatever is asked of me in trying to teach these learners what they have to know to pass the test to be given by the Social Studies/History administrators. I'm not here to redirect their way of teaching. I figure I am here though to break the kids out of their molds with a little creative thinking--with a strong emphasis on the creative aspect of thinking.

January 26, 2006: Day of Events Worth Noting...

Most importantly, today is my oldest son's birthday. Erik John Davidek has 31 candles on his birthday cake this day. In a way I am glad the service provider wasn't available right now with my email account at Flint Community Schools, hence this posting honoring Erik's birthday. It's frustrating not being able to send him an email birthday wish--this will serve that purpose. Happy birthday wonderful son!

Interestingly, this might be Erik's last birthday in the United States for awhile. How so? Well, Erik is married to an attractive, energetic young woman from Iceland. The two met while both were students at Flint Southwestern Academy, Flint, Michigan. Bryndis Einersdotter was Erik's true love from the very beginning. To make a long story short, they fell in love, dated, and were eventually married in Iceland...throw in a few years of college at Eastern Michigan University too.

They now enjoy parenthood and have provided me with my first grandchild, Isabella. The beautiful little girl is now almost five years of age. She's been sheer joy for Erik and Bryndis, to say nothing of the happiness Isabella has brought to her American "grandpa."

Bryndis and Isabella are now in Iceland. Erik has remained in Traverse City, Michigan, finishing off a school year there as a teacher in the high school. Bryndis is expecting their second child, a boy I've been told, in later February. I'm not sure about the arrangements for Bryndis and Isabella returning to the northern Michigan city, but their plans are to live in Iceland for some time, which means Erik's birthday might be his last in America for some time.

I am here in South Africa. Erik is in Michigan. Bryndis and Isabella are in Iceland. We manage with the wonders of email and this blog posting honors him in that way too. Erik is "big brother" to Ivan John Josef, my son with my second wife, Svetlana. Ivan likes to copy Erik in many ways, one of which is a haircut I do not particularily admire. Erik prefers to almost shave his head. It is so short it reminds me of a "five o'clock shadow", only that's his Davidek head! Please Ivan: don't arrive in South Africa with your head shaved! It could be worse I suppose. Erik could have a shaggy mange of hair reminiscent of the hippies of the 1960's. Keep it shaven, boy!

Another event of note today was the fact that Svetlana called me at 5a.m. at home. The noteworthyness is related to a telephone being installed for our use in the home I'm living in now. There have been a few calls made by Sveta to school--most of which ended up with me sprinting from my far away room to the main office (not a lovely sight!). What has been most disturbing has been my panting, trying to catch my breath while attempting to listen to Svetlana's endearing words from far away Flint, Michigan (not a pretty sound!).

The important thing now is we can call each other and learn what's happening in our respective locations. She has the advantage of checking in on this blog and learning of some of my memorable experiences in and around Kempton Park, S.A. My life right now consists of home and school, school and home. No complaints other than the fact that I miss my darling, sweet wife very, very much. The pain goes even deeper when I think about Ivan not being here. They will join me in late February, then we'll be a family again...enjoying the life I've been able to establish here as a Fulbright Teacher Exchange educator.

I am indebted to many people for these events unfolding before my eyes. I'm a very fortunate, blessed fellow. Most of all, I thank my wife, Svetlana. She has maintained her sanity through all my up and down moments as a result of being selected by the U.S. State Department's Office of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Little Ivan, I thank you too! Our separation will come to an end soon.

There is no doubt I thank my kind and generous sister, Mary Ann Buffone. She, and her family members, have supported me throughout...and continue to do so. My twin brother Jim: I thank you for understanding our being apart. Brothers Bill and Len, I thank you for your just being proud of this accomplishment by your younger brother.

I owe great gratitude to Mary Lou Johnson-Pizarro, Senior Program Officer, with the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, U.S. State Dept. Mary Lou had a hand in choosing me. Monica Joyi, with the Fulbright Office in S.A., thanks for your kindness and friendship. Monica was the first South African person I met; she greeted the four of us, the lucky Fulbrighters, as we trudged off that jumbo-jet at Joburg International.

There are other important people to salute. I owe a huge thank you to my former principal, Dave Ginsberg. Mr. Ginsberg's enthusiasm and support in my endeavors was like no other administrator I've ever been associated with--my Spartan hat is off to you Dave! All my esteemed colleagues at Flint S.W. Academy were very supportive of this venture: Ray Molina, thanks! Keep those emails coming, Ronnie Sue and Dennis!

Lastly, I thank Izak Cronje and his wonderful S.A. Fulbright wife, Marina! She is my counterpart in all this--the keeper of the keys to my room back at FSA. I am trying to keep her keys (safe), at Norkem Park High School. My propensity for misplacing keys has already occured here--twice! Please forgive me, my dear Marina!

Erin, I haven't forgotten you. Erin Marie Davidek is my daughter from my previous marriage (Erik and Erin have that distinction). I'm sorry my dearest that we missed each other before that frantic Saturday morning, January 7. Take good care of little Sampson. I know he'll miss his grandpa, right?

Have I forgotten anyone? I am absolutely sure that I have. A warm hello and thanks to friends such as Rickey Hampton, "Blanch", and those two wonderful, creative teachers at Central High School, Judy and Ruth. Marwan, thanks for the great New Year party! Professor Kahn, thanks for your friendship...don't forget to look me up when you come to S.A.! And Mr. LeGrow, thanks for those great-tasting eggs. Stop in and check up on the girls, okay?

Ned Geref Kerk Kempton-Hoogland on a Sunday!

Afrikaans, they say, is an easy language to learn. That statement danced around in my mind as I sat there in the Ned Geref Kerk Kempton-Hoogland (Dutch Reformed Church Kempton-Highland). This was not the conservative church I had heard and read about...the neatly dressed congregation of all ages sang loud and strong to keyboard and guitars and the tap, tap, tap of young musicians on the alter.

I later informed Izak that this was the first time I had ever been exposed to a power-point presentation by a minister in a church, nevermind a Dutch Reformed Church! Oh, I have experienced modern, hip music in giving praise before, but this time it was different. It was much different because of the new technology of a power-point sermon...or was it a lesson on life and living it the right way?

The minister was a young fellow. He was dressed in casual clothing and his demeanor was one of a youthful college professor. His lesson was on character (in Afrikaans that's karakter). Remember what I said about it being an easy language to learn? Well, don't be fooled by one word. Anyway, the sermon included references to Socrates and other great minds. I wasn't sure what was being said, but I enjoyed the minister's enthusiasm and the fact that he seemed to be teaching rather than sermonizing.

It did strike me that as long as he was addressing character why didn't he mention ethos? In one of my lessons in World History classes I have been known to drone on and one about ethos and what that means relative to character. To me, ethos is very important in teaching about virtuous people in History. For that matter, teaching about virtues is vital. I have a unit on teaching virtues and values that I am using right now at Norkem Park High School. It is critical that learners are able to distinguish the difference between virtues and values.

I teach them that a virtue is something that makes you good. A list of virtues are attached to the lesson. Values are different: they are something you want. A value in and of itself can not make you good. Power is a value. It can be used for good or bad...mostly bad in my estimation.

The lesson on virtues and values has made me feel comfortable at my new South African school. I also felt very comfortable at the Dutch Reformed Church last Sunday evening. That young minister I mentioned even slipped in an introduction of me to the congregation. For some unknown reason they applauded me. It's not the first time I have received applause upon being introduced to an audience here. It is not a comfortable feeling to me, what with the American presence in Iraq and Afghanistan and other places all over the globe. I do not want to get political with this posting, but that was just my thinking at that time.

That Sunday evening I was forced to stop singing while reading the words in English on the huge screen in front of the alter. I got caught up in the feeling of joy and happiness in giving praise; it brought tears to my eyes. In a strange land, a strange church, witnessing in Afrikaans, a strange language to me too. The real comfort came from the unstrange friendliness of the smiling people sitting in my pew--and that warm introduction from Minister Neels du Randt!

IMPALA, NYALA, KUDU, ZEBRA, ELAND, WILDEBEEST, WATER BUCK...AND A FEW PESKY INSECTS!

Norkem Park High School has a unique program of selecting a group of seniors for special service to the school: they become members of the I.D.C. (Interim Disciplanary Committee). They are trained to be role models for all students to follow--the kids are exceptional and act somewhat like American students who are chosen for leadership with school student councils. A huge difference is the fact that the N.P.H.S. learners (as they call students), are not chosen the manner in which Southwestern Academy students are chosen, that is as in a popularity contest.

I had the extreem pleasure of spending this past weekend with these youngsters. They are expected to go through a challenge course that builds teamwork, individual performance, and loyalty to the benefit of the school. It bonds the kids together in a similar way that such training does in the U.S. One big difference is that there is praying each and every day (yes, Norkem Park is a public institution). Administrators and staff from the school give inspirational talks to the youth, plus the kids accomplish such activities as watersports, individual and group assessments, communication games, self-improvement techniques, teambuilding, cultural hikes, and the dreaded adventure course.

All of this took place at a gigantic reserve area identified as Groot Marico Educational Environmental Centre. It is located in Northwest Province, near the old town of Zeerust, which is located not too far from the Botswana border. Wow, I suddenly realized I now have been in two provinces of South Africa (our school and my home are in Gauteng Province)! Staring off in the distance, I was told the blue mountains marked the border of Botswana...a destination I want to seek later in the year with my family.

Now, getting to the animals! The centre is a training site for learners from all over the region. The idea is to get them outside the urban centers in and around Johannesburg and involve them in what is deemed necessary by respective school officials in offering the kids perspectives of nature--or in the aforementioned leadership training. Part of the fun of being at this camp is the trip offered to view animals that are evident there. Staff was given the opportunity to climb on board a Toyota SUV, which was fitted with several canvas seats located in an open-air, high-up position, in the back of the vehicle. Six of us eagerly clammored for a seat on that Saturday, anticipating contact, at least visually, with the animals we were told inhabited the fenced-off area of the camp. The high fences protect the animals from "outside" animals, poachers, and/or hunters. I was told that during hunting season, one can enter the facility and help "harvest" the population (a word I find repugnant, but perhaps accurate in the context of hunting animals).

The vehicle slowly lunged and lurched across the recently dampened, red rocky soil. There was some pavement here and there. The "bush", as it is called, consists of trees and bushes that are similar to what I have seen in California. The rains that fell during the past few days brought out small patches of bright flowers that deepened ones' sense of the outdoors, what with all the forest green all over. The slate-like, brown and red rocks reminded me of areas seen along the highway in either Kentucky or Wyoming.

Someone spotted a zebra! Then there were three more. All of a sudden there were other animals in the wild running across out path! They were in the distance, perhaps 100 meters away: close enough to zoom in with my digital camera and capture their flight! Eventually we saw small herds of impala, nyalya, kudu, eland, wildebeest, water buck, and the previously mentioned zebra. Incredible! At that moment, at that game-reserve, nature camp, located three and a half hours west of Johannesburg, I found myself in the "real" Africa! I couldn't stop smiling as I snapped photo after photo of those maginificent beasts in their protective environment. Sadly, I was informed that the animals ran at the sound of the truck we were sighting them from--they knew from previous encounters during hunting season, the sound of the truck and what would follow--the crack, crack, crack of powerful weapons. My "hunt" was more than satisfactory; the click of the lens was all they were hear from me.

Yes, I discovered Africa on Saturday, January 21, 2006. It only prompted me to think of the Africa that was waiting at Kruger National Park, and other provincial game reserve parks throughout South Africa. In just a few days that I've been here so far, having landed in this multi-cultural center of the world on January 8, I've been very fortunate to have impressions that will last a lifetime. I can't help but imagine the lifetime of memories that our 6-year-old Ivan J.J. will encounter. Svetlana, my wonderful, loving wife, will get to share this adventure too...come on guys, get here (they are set to arrive on February 23)!

EMBASSY OF THE U.S.A. INVITATION...

The email read Embassy of the United States of America, Pretoria, South Africa. It was an official invitation for me, John Davidek, to attend a dinner in honor of the Participants of the Fulbright SA Teacher Debriefing Workshop. I couldn't stop looking at that official Department of State seal on the invite: a real honor for the four of us! It would be fun to get together again and chatter over our respective assignments, brag about students who refuse to address us as anything other than "sir." I know my school is one of the best in Gauteng--can't wait to compare notes with Ron, Pat, and James!

We'll be dining at the home of Mrs. Mary Ellen Koenig, Cultural Affairs Officer and Mr. Robert Koenig, in Pretoria. We have all been there before; they invited our group while we were still novices to South Africa...just barely having deplaned at Johannesburg International Airport. This will be a very special evening! Hmmmm, maybe the Koenig's have a converter I can use to recharge the battery in my digital camera? Would it be against protocol to request such a favor at a dinner in our honor? I'll simply explain that if I don't get a recharge I won't be able to document this special event. We'll see what happens...

Transportation might be a problem. Remember my getting lost driving to school? Imagine the difficulty for someone driving to Pretoria from Van Riebeeck Park--that someone being someone who can't negotiate a 15 minute drive from home to school. I am hoping the embassy folks will send a driver my way. Such service, I'm told, is not uncommon when it pertains to such official functions. We'll see what happens on that one too...

The "Golden Arches" Never Looked So Good!

Yesterday, January 16, was a momentous day for me! Or was it? I got (very) lost. It was the first time driving to Norkem Park High School. Not a big deal, right? Wrong! I have already commented on the "driving on the wrong side of the road", etc. Izak Cronje, Marina's erstwhile husband, had written a fairly detailed map for me...he was sure I could go it alone, make it safely to school that day. Wrong, again.

Simply put, I got all turned around in the path he had drawn out for me. The one location that stood out along the way was McDonald's--and those very familiar golden arches. On the way back to home, I kept going full circle somehow and I finally decided my only hope was to seek help at the American icon of icons. Entering meekly, I stepped up to the counter and asked to see the manager. The young lady said she would "fetch" the manager...fetching is something folks do in South Africa.

The manager came forth and I explained that I was an American and I could not find my way to DeVilliers Avenue in Van Riebeeck Park. At that point a promise was made that when my family arrived in South Africa we would eat at her restaurant often. The manager broke out in a kind smile and said she could help me find my way home. Just then a colleague from Norkem Park High School approached: I know her as "Bonnie." She asked what was the problem and could she help. I thanked the manager for her offer of assistance and my fellow teacher realized I was lost and she gave me specific, easy directions on how to get to my home. What a huge relief! At that point I was pretty stressed out and the drive home was accomplished with a smile on my face as wide as those famous arches!

By the way, I stopped by that same McDonald's the next day...I couldn't resist going back to say thanks to that kind manager. And I ordered a McChicken dinner with fries and a coke. Guess what? The food there was almost exactly the same as the McDonald's on Miller Road in Flint. Funny how Ray Kroc's genius ended up saving a lost teacher from Flint in Kempton Park, South Africa. Thanks, Ray!

UBUNTU: Part of the Lexicon of Living/Learning

Anyone in the education should know something about mission statements--educators adapted them to schools and school districts many years ago. While strolling around the extensive campus of Norkem Park High School the other day, I came across the school's prominantly displayed, framed mission statement. There was nothing particularily different about it--except for the pecurilar (to me), Ubuntu word.

Actually I had come across the word in a travel book published by Fodors while preparing to travel to South Africa. It meant something to me then and now it means even more: since it is supposed to be part of who we are at N.P.H.S. Simply put, the Zulu word means "being human." It infers being caring and compassionate toward others. In that context, I believe it is a truly meaningful word that compells us to be just that!

The mission statement exhibited there had the appropriate references toward the Gauteng Department of Education and Norkem Park High School. It stated:

Our vision is a smart service delivery of quality public education, which promotes a dynamic
citizenship for socio-economic growth and development in Gauteng and South Africa.

We will be at the cutting edge of curriculum delivery and provide access to quality lifelong learning
opportunities.

This will be shaped by the principles of transformation, equity, redress and Ubuntu.

Transformation stands out to me, representing the immense changes undergone by the peoples of South Africa since the end of apartheid. Nelson R. Mandela, to my understanding, brought a wave of reconciliation and redress to this bountiful, diverse country--something that has never been seen anywhere here or anywhere else on earth in the capacity evidenced within the constraints of democracy. It is truly a laboratory of many diverse peoples interacting in a nation with obvious problems, but one with tremendous potential for humankind.

I distinctly recall the pilot of our S.A. Airlines jumbo-jet welcoming us to South Africa upon touching down at Johannesburg International. He said the expected, usual kind words...but he urged the passengers not to forget "redress" in our daily lives. It meant forgiveness...the genius of Mandela shined forth that early day for me. The word flew off the mission page statement for me--as did the reference toward Ubuntu.

Today is Sunday, January 15, another day of learning and living in an area of the world sometimes referred to as the "Cradle of Humankind." Indeed, Ubuntu embraces an ideal that humankind could learn from. It is a word for the ages--a word that deserves wider recognition within our lexicon of living.

IT'S OFFICIAL: I've Been in S.A. for ONE week!

That's right, a milestone of sorts, today is January 14, 2006, and a week has passed since arrival at Johannesburg International Airport (which is only minutes away from my new address in Kempton Park, right outside of Joburg). It has been yet another day of cultural adaptation, combined with what I'm told is bravery.

In my estimation, the bravery aspect of today was driving to Norkem Park High School for teacher in-service training...giving up a Saturday was a real sacrifice! The subject of the training was assertive discipline; I found it quite useful and the book I purchased at the end of the day will be put to use both here and in Flint. As a matter of fact, this all-day session was one of the most outstanding inservice days I've ever experienced! Just like everything else at that school, the teaching staff, and their concerns in the classroom, are not much different than what I have experienced during my over 30-year tenure with Flint Schools.

The most succinct point of training was for staff to be ever mindful of being positive in the classroom--and to praise, praise, praise the learners. This type of reinforcement for an "old" veteran like me has come at a time in my career when it is most needed. The person leading the training reminded us of the fact that giving praise is not something that comes naturally--it takes much repetition to gain it as a habit between the learners and teacher. The lessons learned today are welcome by me; they will be valuable this year in South Africa, along with being very worthwhile in Flint. And of course, the praise habit should be something that flows over to one's family life, community life, etc. A wonderful, fulfilling, yet exhausting day!

A "Normal" Day: Try These Names On For Size...

Today is Friday, the 13th of January, 2006. Met with my 10th-grade History learners for the second day in succession. I quickly learned yesterday that something as simple as taking attendance and identifying who is who can be extremely daunting. The following are some names I had to struggle with that day (keep in mind these are ONLY the given names of some of the learners): Levhegwa, Tshweitshweu, Motlagomang, Smangele, Muziwakhe, Nomthandazo, Zamambo, Ntombikayise, Nonhlanhla, Nkosingiphile, Matshabelele, Difakoanah, and Tshegofatso. And NO, I did not make those names up--they are very real. And for me, an American who at times stuggles with some of the names of my students at Flint S.W.Academy, what I face here is no easy task in attempting to pronounce the names of learners. The family names are just as difficult in most cases. In all fairness, there are names that are quite familiar to Westerners: Jessica, Suzanne, Tracy, Thomas, Connie, Daisy, Lawrence, Terrance, Emmanuel, Martin, James, Rodney, and a host of others. Then there are the "unusual" ones: Television, Fortunate, Pleasure, Pretty, Lady-Piece, Pitsi, Poppy, Enocent, Advocate, Perseverance, Gift, Happyness, Patience, and Beauty. There are many, many other examples of names that are a cultural experience in and of themselves. Believe it!

Mr. Arnold Baker "Tubby" Welch, Headmaster at Norkem Park H.S., reminded staff of the luncheon being held in the staff room at 1p.m. The school day is being shortened a little today in order to have time for the sharing of food together. In that regard, there is much more time spent together by staff here: certainly the mandatory meeting each day brings about a collegiality that is not evident in American schools. It's quite nice!

The new teachers to N.P.H.S. are obligated to attend an all-day learning session tomorrow, Saturday, on assertive discipline. It does not matter if one has 30 years teaching experience, any teacher new to this school must attend the training. It should be interesting...especially since it will begin my first adventure in driving a car in South Africa. You know: they drive on the "wrong" side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the "wrong" side of the car. Izak, Marina's husband, will drive in his car in front of my vehicle. The plan is for me to follow him as he takes the shortest route to school from home. Hopefully, everything will turn out okay...the new learning on assertive discipline and the driving experience. Prayer is being added to my daily routine as I try to muddle my way around with all of these new, sometimes scary, experiences...

Birthday of Unforgettable Happenings...

It is January 11, 2006: and what a memorable birthday it was for me! I didn't have my camera to capture the faces of those 800+ learners sitting on the floor of the somewhat small auditorium at Norkem Park High School. For me, the "Kodak moment" occured when they clapped furiously upon my introduction by Mr. Welch, the headmaster at Norkem Park. When I bowed, they cheered even louder and threw in a few cat-calls. It was exhilerating! Mr. Welch had just given them an inspirational, beginning-day speech...that included a lengthy quote from Psalms 121. For a public school, the reading was something to behold. The silence in the auditorium was "deafening", speaking to the respect the kids showed for an administrator who I'm told is in his last year as headmaster at Norkem Park.

The teachers at school hold a staff meeting every day at 7:30a.m. They sit in groups of five or six and actually communicate with each other--daily! The administrators do what all administrators do: hand out the marching orders for the "foot soldiers", the "grunts" in the classroom. I was also introduced by Mr. Welch at the first staff meeting. I told my new colleagues how much I was honored to be with them and said, "...I am the real learner here, right along with the eager learners waiting anxiously outside the building. The first day of school is always memorable. I still get an upset stomach and sleep is difficult the night before that first day. It was no different this day at Norkem Park High School, Kempton Park, South Africa.



My job today was to do nothing more than observe how my colleagues did things. Once I entered Marina's empty classroom I was "safe". The goosebumps disappeared and I was ready to address the learners who would fill those desks the following day. Everything in the room was clean and ready to be used by Marina's replacement: me! I'll be teaching 8th-grade HSS (Human/Social Sciences), and 10th-grade History, which includes many chapters on South African history. It will be a real challenge...but I can't wait!

Ending up the day, Izak Cronje, Marina's kind and gentle husband, cooked a "braai" dinner outdoors at "his" home (which actually is our home during the exchange...he lives there too/will move to the upstairs when Svetlana and Ivan arrive in late February). For dessert, we consumed a mound of "linchis", which are a small, golf-size fruit, covered with a rough, green and red exterior (which is peeled off), exposing a green, melon-soft fruit that is dripping with sweetness. The dark brown nut inside is bitter and is to be thrown away with the peelings. The fruit grows in South Africa. Delicious!

South Africa Day at Flint S.W. Academy

Marina arrived without any complications as planned--on Wednesday, January 4. Honestly, my first impression was how tall she was. Somehow I had imagined she, and her husband Izak, were "average" in height. Not so. She's every bit of six feet tall and I'm told her husband is slightly taller. It was sort of funny watching her contort her long legs sideways after sliding into my 1987 Oldmobile...that was after she initially, by force of habit, was drawn to the left side of the auto where the passenger side would be in a vehicle in S.Africa.

I drove from Bishop International Airport in Flint to S.W.A., circling the school while pointing out its features: pool here, cafeteria there, academic wing in the back of the building, etc. Marina was impressed by the size of the physical plant, plus the fact that it had been built on such a large piece of property. She marveled that there were no homes next to, or near, the school.

The drive continued with a path that led to some of the finest homes in Flint: along Parkside Drive. Swartz Creek Golf Course to the left, mansions to the right...look, we're approaching Mayor Don Williamson's elegant mansion, etc. A tour up Westwood Parkway and on to Miller Road took us to our home on Ramsay Boulevard, just south of Miller and two blocks from Hammerberg Road. We didn't go in...just drove by and then we continued out to Miller Road and followed that to Marshall Fields. Marina met Svetlana in the fur salon, where she is employed. We spent some time in the store with Marina commenting that it was similar to a store in a shopping mall in Johannesburg.

We had a "welcome to Flint" party at our home for Marina the next day. Many neighbors were invited and most dropped by, had some delicious food and drink, and met our "star" from South Africa. It was a fun evening and a fun way to introduce her to some wonderful, friendly neighbors!

2006: New Year/New Aspirations

Maria (Marina) Magdalena Gertruida Cronje has arrived in Washington, DC from Johannesburg--and yes, that is her name! She, along with her three teacher-companions from South Africa, will receive orientation information at meetings in Washington from Fulbright Program officials at the U.S. State Dept. On Wednesday, Jan. 4, they will be flying to their respective destinations in the United States: one goes to Philadelphia; another to Denver; the longest flight will end up in San Diego. Marina, of course, arrives in Flint, Michigan.
The newly designed South African Coat of Arms, a symbol that appears on official documents of the country, has as its motto: "Diverse People Unite." Interestingly, it is written in the Khoisan language.
The Khoisan people are the oldest known inhabitants of the land and serve as testimony to the common humanity and heritage of the South African peoples. Indeed, humankind began in the lands we now call South Africa and the "common humanity" reference goes beyond the peoples that claim the country as their national state.

On this day of renewal, which is noted for resolutions, it's a travesty that the world view of the new South Africa is not shared by the common humanity dwelling in other areas of our small world. The "Diverse People Unite" theme should be taken up by peoples in Iraq. Imagine an Iraqi nation that would be united--nevermind the religious differences and tribal bitterness that has led to so much bloodshed on their streets. Imagine our own United States without racial conflict and political feuding that prohibits our great nation from even greater achievements.

The new democracy of South Africa is not perfect--no democratic nation claims perfection. With a constitution that is a model for nations of the world to follow, the new South Africa has taken steps, albeit small steps, toward a unity of her diverse peoples that other nations and areas of the world can only dream about.

These musings, on the first day of 2006, are simply words and ideas expressed within an envelope of hopefullness. The opening of that envelope begins for me when the plane arrives in Johannesburg on Jan. 8. It will be a new beginning of a year full of promise...