Day 2- Township Tour

Today, we visited the Ubuntu headquarters in the Magxaki Township, the largest located in PE. After meeting Vuyo and Nolutando, Ubuntu representatives who will be accompanying us on the Dolphin Trail starting tomorrow, we met "Banks", the co-founder of Ubuntu. A wise and elegant man, Banks was extremely hospitable and knowledgeable about the township. We piled into the van and our small red car and followed banks to the top of a hill in the neighboring town less than a Km from the township itself. The view was spectacular and offered an aerial view of the township, divided into separate "pockets" as Banks described. The colorful maze of shacks was both beautiful and horrifying. We were all astounded at how massive the township really was. Once again we piled back into the cars, except this time, William, Hurst and I jumped in Banks’ car, eager to ask questions. As we ventured back into the township, we all seemed to notice and feel the same thing. Everyone in the street seemed to have a smile on his or her face and waved at us as we passed, making us feel like rock stars. Our second stop was at the small primary school where Banks had taught before meeting Jake, the other co-founder of Ubuntu. Banks immediately pointed out the schools resemblance to a jail. Yet again, we piled back into the cars and proceeded to the market square. During the ride, Banks explained how the children had nowhere to play, pointing out the idle children leaning against makeshift fences and playing in the streets. Without an outlet, such as a football (European of course) field or a park, the children turn to drinking at a very young age, some as young as 12. As we pulled into the market square, we immediately spotted women preparing “Smiley” or smoked sheep’s head. Banks approached one of the women and made a purchase, returning to the group with a silver bowl containing half of a sheep’s head. Hurst bravely volunteered to take the first bite, and the group’s curiosity immediately grew once he announced how delicious it was. Hurst and I enjoyed the tongue, very much like a lamb shank. William and I enjoyed the ear, which tasted like a fatty, flavorful piece of beef. Hurst, William, Nicole, Phillip, Coach Cole, Mrs. Howard, Jake and Karen all enjoyed the cheek, which tasted “Just like pork” according to Hurst. Afterwards, we proceeded to finish out tour by passing by a woman selling fresh chickens, which upon purchase she would slaughter and clean on the spot, as well as a woman selling medicinal herbs that seemed to cure almost everything.

Once we returned to the B&B after a delicious dinner, many of us found the immediate contrast between the extreme poverty of the township and the luxurious lifestyle of Bluewater Bay just miles away. Its safe to say that we “got our worlds rocked” just after a single day in the township.