The Last Post

Went on Thursday to Fish Hoek, about an hour from Cape Town to see Gift and Sethu, two children sponsored by the school I teach in, in memory of a wondeerful colleague, now sadly deceased, who came from SA. These are township children, who would normally be taught, by rote learning, in a class of 40 to 45 children, with minimal resources, through the medium of Afrikaans. Life chances, minimal. Because of the sponsorship, they are now being taught in a semi private situation. That is, the sponsorship pays for their uniforms, taxi fares ( a mini bus shared taxi at 50p each way) to school and school fees that usually parents pay as a top up. This top up allows class sizes of 30 maximum, a library, computer room, after school clubs, swimming lessons, a choir and so on. There are children of all races, and English is the medium of education which gives these children maximum chances of employment after leaving. Employment, in its turn, means they can support themselves and their families and avoid the pretty horrendous alternatives. Pleased to report that both are wonderful children and the girl, Sethu, is doing particularly well.

Then along to visit Lieze, another ex colleague and her two children where they live on a private estate near Cape Town. Two security guards made my taxi driver fill in a form and phoned Lieze to check we were bona fide visitors before admitting us. Talk about how the other half live....had a lovely afternoon there and was taken to the local wine estate. This was like something out of Gone With the Wind, except vines, not cotton. Really beautiful white pillared house, with pond in front, acres of perfectly straight vines ( though no grapes yet, obviously) and several black workers planting out bedding plants along the drive way in readiness for summer visitors. All this, and pretty good wine too!

I was planning on spending the weekend there and Lieze had arranged a wonderful itinerary, but unfortunately, that evening, had to return to UK as husband unwell. As I type this we are awaiting various test results but whatever they are, I will not be going back this summer. Flight back went like clockwork, tube to King's Cross fast, connection to Peterborough perfect...then local cross country chugga train cancelled. Typical. Wished had taken photo of spotless, modern station at Cape Town with departure/ arrivals board showing nothing but"On Time" to wave under nose of Network Rail staff!

But I am going back one day. There is still so much to see and do. And I will see it and do it.