Our First Days in South Africa

We are fine and safe. So far, here is what has happened:
Day 1: July 9—
Woke up and while Aunt Kate rented car and exchanged money, team trained (shortly) local kids. Then, went together to South African Broadcasting Studios to meet Swaziland minister (Ambassador for Peace) who wants to bring WAIT there.

Traveled to Springs to meet Sue Wells and her 12 adopted AIDS orphans. We performed in her yard, a beautiful location with the afternoon sun slanting down. For the final act, all her kids joined it at end.

Then, they played piano, flute, recorder, guitar for us. We filmed them, interviewed about likes and talents. The kids are so sweet and beautiful, and we loved working with them.

Then in the evening traveled to Thembisa, where we met about 300 young delegates to a church/school’s convention. As we entered in, they all rose up, row by row, singing and dancing in the traditional South African harmonies and dance steps. It was so beautiful, we were all in tears. We did a full WAIT performance, and after, many were asking how to join—and how to get a t-shirt!

Back to Jo-burg for late dinner, sleep.

Day Two

We woke around 7 to prepare for our travel to Soweto, which is closer than the locations the day before. However, we got lost, and again, were late to the program. This was in a large community center in the Dobsonville area of Soweto. About 8 or 9 groups had gathered—all which are artistic performing groups. I met with the leaders of the groups and explained our vision. They shared a bit about their hopes. We began the program, doing the full WAIT performance. The other groups began performing, but it seemed that several additions were also put in.

On the program were:
Dobsonville Artistic Youth
Sophumelela African Youth Ambition
Ezasekazi Entertainment Academy
Black House
New Beginnings
Dedicated Young Artist
Mayibuye Africa Casting Group
Magnificent


Although it was supposed to be finished by 1, at 3, we weren’t even halfway through the program. By the time all the groups had performed, it was about 5. We did a quick practice of “Desert Rose” with them, and then had to leave as it was becoming dark.

The performances were very impressive; the level of drama and dance and music is very high here. We interviewed some very visionary grassroots leaders, many of whom are personally connected to the HIV/AIDS issue. And they are like us: not funded, but working with passion for their community and for the youth.

Day 3: We are in Alexander, another of the former black townships. This is a smaller town than Soweto, and more closely packed. Right now, we are at the Thusong Community center, performing for about 30 youth. After, another group will perform too. Then we go to Roodeport, another town, and perform as part of a larger festival later this afternoon.

After we finished, a House dance group “Make Us Models” or MUM came and performed, and they were very creative, using plastic bottle crates and some really creative dancing. Later, they wanted to join us in going to Roodeport, so four came and we included them in the next performance.

This was in a very difficult area, filled with poor shack housing. The event was in a large community center, but it had no electricity or lights…the sound speakers were all being operated on the power from a long extension cord. They welcomed us as special guest performers, and really felt it was an honor to receive us. We did our whole performance, but instead of the final act, had the Alex MUM group perform.

After, we did interviews with the various leaders.

A word about people. We are being very well taken care of by Flory and Moruti, at the center, and Francis has organized things quite intensively. Kedibone’s nephew, Lucky, is our main driver. Her neice, Nolo, is also with us, performing in every place. We also have quite a few local families accompanying us and helping organize things. At present we have about 8 kids traveling with us, as well as a bunch of adults. There’s always a caravan of cars accompanying us.

We are going to two churches tomorrow: an Anglican one just to greet them, and our church service, where I will give the talk.

Okay, thanks so much.