Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Shanty Town
Along the N2 I noticed a shanty town which was enormous. I mean, this went on for miles. I can't imagine how many people live here. At least they are provided with free electricity. So someone told me that Nelson Mandela promised free housing to everyone. Apparently word got out and something like 11 million refugees flocked to South Africa from other countries. The government tried to demolish these shacks and people rebuilt. The government built homes for some, only to find out that the people who were assigned these homes rented them out (or sold them - even though they didn't own them) and moved back to a shack. It's a cycle with no obvious solution. You want to help, but there are literally MILLIONS of people living in poor conditions here. According to Ambereen though, they live better than the poor in India, among other places.
Stellenbosch
Last weekend Ambereen and I drove to Stellenbosch to meet our friends Joe and Shareen for lunch.
The day was clear so we were able to see the sights we missed on our earlier drive to Franschoek. We took the N2 over Sir Lowry's Pass
and had breakfast at a small winery called The Orchard. Once again, we each had a full breakfast with coffee for less than $10 US. Theewaterskloofdam was a beautiful lake on the way over the next pass:
I read about Delaire Graff winery in my guide book and they said it had one of the best views from any vineyard in the country.
I've never been to Napa Valley, but I find it hard to believe that it compares to what I've seen in South Africa. I've been converted!
I read about Delaire Graff winery in my guide book and they said it had one of the best views from any vineyard in the country.
I've never been to Napa Valley, but I find it hard to believe that it compares to what I've seen in South Africa. I've been converted!
Initiates deaths: arrests pending
"From time to time I'll post some interesting / bizarre stories from down here"
June 26 2013 at 12:15pm
By LEBOGANG SEALE
Comment on this story
Independent Newspapers
Limpopo has crafted a bill that will see illegal circumcision school operators face a R20 000 fine or a jail term. File photo: Independent Newspapers
Johannesburg - The alleged culprits responsible for the deaths of 29 initiates in Mpumalanga could finally be arrested soon.
This comes after the provincial Health Department and House of Traditional Leaders resolved to allow the police to press charges against the alleged perpetrators.
The resolution is contained in a report into the deaths of the initiates, which was released on Tuesday.
“The department and the House of Traditional Leaders have agreed to allow the SAPS to execute their functions without any hindrances. This includes investigating and laying appropriate charges on those found to have contravened the law,” reads the report.
The Star reported last month that inexperienced and bogus traditional surgeons were using a single razor blade to circumcise multiple initiates, which exposed them to life-threatening diseases, including HIV/Aids. The paper also reported that there were cases of botched circumcisions and drunk monitors who left initiates unattended.
The deaths occurred in the Nkangala district towns of Siyabuswa, KwaMhlanga, Verena, Kwaggafontein, Middelburg, Bethal and Evander, which fall under King Mabhoko III of the Ndebele people.
At least six more initiates died in Limpopo’s Sekhukhune district, although the amakhosana (junior traditional leaders) there fall under Mabhoko.
The deaths drew nationwide condemnation, including from President Jacob Zuma and civil rights organisations.
The report, which revealed damning evidence of gross irregularities by traditional surgeons, found that some of the amakhosana had forged permits to run illegal schools.
“There were many emerging initiation schools… not sanctioned by the Ingwenyama (King) Mabhoko III. It was discovered that some of the amakhosana duplicated their permits to have other schools that were illegal,” the report reads.
The report found that permit holders used old (expired) ingoma (permits) and that inexperienced traditional surgeons were used.
It also found there was gross negligence by traditional surgeons.
There were also instances of a lack of regular monitoring by the ingoma holders, the use of inexperienced caregivers, and a lack of proper supervision by caregivers.
Mpumalanga police spokesman Captain Leonard Hlathi said dockets had been submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority to decide whether to prosecute.
“We have not yet arrested anybody because our decision will be informed by the NPA,” he said, adding that only 27 of the 29 dockets were murder cases. Two of the dockets are inquest reports as they (dead initiates) had complained of stomach aches (before they died).”
The report also identified the use of drugs by some initiates and those with chronic ailments not taking prescribed medication as among the causes of the deaths.
In all, the report found there were 30 000 initiates undergoing the ritual in 134 initiation schools.
To prevent future deaths, the report recommended that all prospective initiates must first undergo medical tests.
Political commentator and gender activist Nomboniso Gasa questioned the commitment of the Mpumalanga government and senior traditional leaders to addressing the problem.
“We have known the problems of illegal schools and unqualified circumcisers for many years. So why has this not been addressed to prevent these and many other deaths?” Gasa said.
lebogang.seale@inl.co.za
June 26 2013 at 12:15pm
By LEBOGANG SEALE
Comment on this story
Independent Newspapers
Limpopo has crafted a bill that will see illegal circumcision school operators face a R20 000 fine or a jail term. File photo: Independent Newspapers
Johannesburg - The alleged culprits responsible for the deaths of 29 initiates in Mpumalanga could finally be arrested soon.
This comes after the provincial Health Department and House of Traditional Leaders resolved to allow the police to press charges against the alleged perpetrators.
The resolution is contained in a report into the deaths of the initiates, which was released on Tuesday.
“The department and the House of Traditional Leaders have agreed to allow the SAPS to execute their functions without any hindrances. This includes investigating and laying appropriate charges on those found to have contravened the law,” reads the report.
The Star reported last month that inexperienced and bogus traditional surgeons were using a single razor blade to circumcise multiple initiates, which exposed them to life-threatening diseases, including HIV/Aids. The paper also reported that there were cases of botched circumcisions and drunk monitors who left initiates unattended.
The deaths occurred in the Nkangala district towns of Siyabuswa, KwaMhlanga, Verena, Kwaggafontein, Middelburg, Bethal and Evander, which fall under King Mabhoko III of the Ndebele people.
At least six more initiates died in Limpopo’s Sekhukhune district, although the amakhosana (junior traditional leaders) there fall under Mabhoko.
The deaths drew nationwide condemnation, including from President Jacob Zuma and civil rights organisations.
The report, which revealed damning evidence of gross irregularities by traditional surgeons, found that some of the amakhosana had forged permits to run illegal schools.
“There were many emerging initiation schools… not sanctioned by the Ingwenyama (King) Mabhoko III. It was discovered that some of the amakhosana duplicated their permits to have other schools that were illegal,” the report reads.
The report found that permit holders used old (expired) ingoma (permits) and that inexperienced traditional surgeons were used.
It also found there was gross negligence by traditional surgeons.
There were also instances of a lack of regular monitoring by the ingoma holders, the use of inexperienced caregivers, and a lack of proper supervision by caregivers.
Mpumalanga police spokesman Captain Leonard Hlathi said dockets had been submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority to decide whether to prosecute.
“We have not yet arrested anybody because our decision will be informed by the NPA,” he said, adding that only 27 of the 29 dockets were murder cases. Two of the dockets are inquest reports as they (dead initiates) had complained of stomach aches (before they died).”
The report also identified the use of drugs by some initiates and those with chronic ailments not taking prescribed medication as among the causes of the deaths.
In all, the report found there were 30 000 initiates undergoing the ritual in 134 initiation schools.
To prevent future deaths, the report recommended that all prospective initiates must first undergo medical tests.
Political commentator and gender activist Nomboniso Gasa questioned the commitment of the Mpumalanga government and senior traditional leaders to addressing the problem.
“We have known the problems of illegal schools and unqualified circumcisers for many years. So why has this not been addressed to prevent these and many other deaths?” Gasa said.
lebogang.seale@inl.co.za
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Chapman's Peak & Llandudno Beach
Monday was a holiday in South Africa so Ambereen had the day off. We decided to head towards Chapman's Peak as it's supposed to be a scenic drive. On the way we stopped to explore Llandudno beach. Some of the most incredible homes are situated on the hillside overlooking a small beach with soft sand and large boulders. Most of the beaches around here are relatively small which makes them seem cozy.
We picked up lunch to go (called take-away here) at a pub at the end of Hout Bay. We both got calamari burgers. Literally a slab of grilled squid on a bun. YUM! Ambereen also picked up a bottle of bubbly. We headed up Chapman's Peak Drive and pulled off at a picnic area with a view of Hout Bay and ate lunch before continuing along the drive.
The views remind me of PCH in California. Gorgeous!
Be careful when you pull over to look at the views though. There are some sketchy spots where one misstep could be the end of you! Loose gravel leading to a sheer, steep, long trip to the sea below.
Then we pulled off to catch a lovely sunset to finish the day.
We picked up lunch to go (called take-away here) at a pub at the end of Hout Bay. We both got calamari burgers. Literally a slab of grilled squid on a bun. YUM! Ambereen also picked up a bottle of bubbly. We headed up Chapman's Peak Drive and pulled off at a picnic area with a view of Hout Bay and ate lunch before continuing along the drive.
The views remind me of PCH in California. Gorgeous!
Be careful when you pull over to look at the views though. There are some sketchy spots where one misstep could be the end of you! Loose gravel leading to a sheer, steep, long trip to the sea below.
Then we pulled off to catch a lovely sunset to finish the day.
Table Mountain
We've been occupied since Ambereen's parents arrived from Pakistan but we were able to break away for an afternoon to explore Table Mountain. This is not a mountain to take lightly as many people do. It must be the proximity to Cape Town which gives people a false sense of security. Although the mountain is covered in trails, there are only a few which one can take that doesn't require climbing equipment. It is difficult to get trail maps and the books are $30. Not much worthwhile in between. With that said we figured that it made sense to take the tram then explore the trails up top. The tram is R220 round trip and the car rotates 360 degrees as it climbs. It's very steep at the top and you can see people climbing the mountain on the way.
There are many trails up top so we took a route to Maclear's Beacon.
There is a tremendous about of biodiversity at the top including water, moss, toads and feynbos. If it weren't for the views you would never know that you were at the top of a mountain. As is the case in all of the parks, once you get away from the areas that aren't hard to get to the crowds are sparse so it's much more peaceful. All these damn foreigners around!
There are many trails up top so we took a route to Maclear's Beacon.
The highest point on Table Mountain is marked by a large cairn, built by Sir Thomas Maclear in 1865. But the cairn was not built to mark the height of Table Mountain, it was to assist in measuring the curvature of the earth.
There is a tremendous about of biodiversity at the top including water, moss, toads and feynbos. If it weren't for the views you would never know that you were at the top of a mountain. As is the case in all of the parks, once you get away from the areas that aren't hard to get to the crowds are sparse so it's much more peaceful. All these damn foreigners around!
Lion's Head
The weather finally cleared enough to make the hike up Lion's Head worthwhile. It's not a tough hike, it's actually a fairly short hike with just a few tough spots but the views up top are impressive. To give you an idea, here is a pic I took from the boat on the way back from Robben Island:
Devil's Peak is on the left, Table Mountain is the large feature in the middle and Lion's Head is on the right (Signal Hill is directly in front of Lion's Head in this photo).
This photo was taken from Ambereen's apartment:
It's an easy hike until you get near the top and you have a decision to make. Take the easy path on the left or the fun route straight up utilizing fixed holds.
Once you make it to the top you are rewarded with breath-taking views of Cape Town, Camp's Bay, Table Mountain and the sea.
All in all a pretty good day!
Devil's Peak is on the left, Table Mountain is the large feature in the middle and Lion's Head is on the right (Signal Hill is directly in front of Lion's Head in this photo).
This photo was taken from Ambereen's apartment:
It's an easy hike until you get near the top and you have a decision to make. Take the easy path on the left or the fun route straight up utilizing fixed holds.
Once you make it to the top you are rewarded with breath-taking views of Cape Town, Camp's Bay, Table Mountain and the sea.
All in all a pretty good day!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Cape of Good Hope
Cape of Good Hope is located right next to Cape Point. There is a really cool beach that you can hike to. In fact, we'll take a picnic there next time. There is a parking lot next to the beach and at the end of the parking lot a sign proclaiming the Cape of Good Hope. Tour buses would stop and people would pour out to have their pictures taken next to the sign then they would take off for the next spot. Most of them never saw the 6 ostriches feeding along the hiking trail less than 100 yards away. Fools. There were many Dassies too. They are like marmots. I nearly stepped on one who was eating lunch and paid absolutely no attention to me. The ostriches ended up near the top of the trail too. They look prehistoric and were really cool to watch.
Cape Point
Cape Point is a famous spot in the region. It's not where the Indian an Atlantic oceans meet however. That's 90 miles to the East, but that's another day. There is a nice walk up to the old lighthouse which turned out to be in a bad location due to fog so they had to build another one. There is a funicular which takes you to the old lighthouse but the hike isn't that difficult. Really cool views and sheer drop offs make this a cool place to take pics, although it doesn't really give you that feeling of how dramatic the views are.
Lord Nelson Inn
Ambereen's cousin owns a wonderful Inn in Simon's Town called Lord Nelson Inn. It looks like a great place to spend a weekend while exploring the Cape Point region.
What a surprise to meet Lord Nelson himself!
This is the luckiest cat around. He was found in the alley and was taken in. He has the run of the place and if you find yourself enjoying a pint at the pub don't be surprised if Lord Nelson jumps on your lap for a nap.
What a surprise to meet Lord Nelson himself!
This is the luckiest cat around. He was found in the alley and was taken in. He has the run of the place and if you find yourself enjoying a pint at the pub don't be surprised if Lord Nelson jumps on your lap for a nap.
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