Hello hello. It's hard to believe that I've been in SA for over ten days already, yet at the same time, I'm finally beginning to feel aclimated.
Yesterday, we went to a mosque to visit with Immam Ahmed Casseim [google him, he's quite interesting], a South African with an interesting take on the future of South Africa. He was a political prisoner on Robben Island, and his view of the future of SA was particularly Islamic in nature (in fact, it wasn't wholly unlike the thoughts of the Religious Right in the states). In any case, we went to the friday prayers at the mosque before meeting with him, and I found the service quite meaningful. We've spent a lot of time talking about 'listening to other voices' during our time here; that is, making sure every viewpoint gets represented and heard. This is the first step of peacebuilding, from fundamentalist Immams to Afrikaners, etc.
The 'intensive' nature of the intensive has dwindled. In fact, today is a free day. I'm catching up on a few journal entries and enjoying the beach, as today is our last full day at the villa in Hout Bay. Tomorrow we get on a bus for the 18-hour trip to Umfolozi (or Imfolozi), a game reserve, for an eco-tour/safari. It sounds wild, but I'm sure internet access will be scarce.
So, I'll be back in a week or so, hopefully with some interesting picture to boot. Take good care.
27 May 2006
25 May 2006
This is the view from Table Mountain, the large mountain that looms over the city proper. Believe it or not, it is quite flat on the top (hence the name). Yesterday we hiked the mountain (a 2 hour, fairly vertical hike) and enjoyed the view on an uncharacteristically clear day. It was pretty breathe-taking.
Check out more photos at johnhoag.zoto.com
23 May 2006
20 May 2006
Howzit from Cape Town
Greetings from an internet cafe on Lang Street, friends.
Whew. It's been a whirlwind since I've begun my time in South Africa...I don't know where to begin. I'm slightly pressed for time, but I'd like to tell you some important bits and pieces about where we are and what we are doing...perhaps a more substantial update shall come later.
In any case, after we arrived at the Cape Town International Airport, we were driven in kombis (think those old Volkswagen vans, only they fit 12 people or more)to Hout Bay (houtbaai in Afrikaans, it's name until the ANC government in 1996), in the wealthy foreign/white area. We're in a beautiful, rediculously beautiful villa, about a quarter of the way up a mountain, overlooking the bay, on the Atlantic. As soon as I upload the appropriate pictures, I'll let you know. Though compact, it's rediculously beautiful, modern, etc...perhaps too much so. Two pools, marble floors, beautiful sunsets, and a view to die for.
The whole point of our time spent in this rental home is to highlight the vast disparity that still exists between those who have and those who do not. We're in the midst of the 'intensive,' which so far has consisted of visiting historical sites concerning the rise and fall of apartheid, beginning with, well, the begining...the Castle of Good Hope (ironic name), the first architechture that white people put on the tip of Southern Africa, when they "discovered" it in the 1600s.
We've been dealing a lot with Afrikaner identity (those are those of Dutch descent, yet consider themselves to be indigenous to the country), and the ways in which the Dutch Reformed Church intersected with the political structures in a deadly perpetuation of apartheid. Frankly, the trip has been difficult so far, sifting through what it means to be a white person in my own context.
There is much more to say, but know that I am well. Tomorrow we will go to an Anglican church in the township in which we will be staying shortly...and then to Cape Point (where the penguins are). Sweetness.
More soon. Take care.
Whew. It's been a whirlwind since I've begun my time in South Africa...I don't know where to begin. I'm slightly pressed for time, but I'd like to tell you some important bits and pieces about where we are and what we are doing...perhaps a more substantial update shall come later.
In any case, after we arrived at the Cape Town International Airport, we were driven in kombis (think those old Volkswagen vans, only they fit 12 people or more)to Hout Bay (houtbaai in Afrikaans, it's name until the ANC government in 1996), in the wealthy foreign/white area. We're in a beautiful, rediculously beautiful villa, about a quarter of the way up a mountain, overlooking the bay, on the Atlantic. As soon as I upload the appropriate pictures, I'll let you know. Though compact, it's rediculously beautiful, modern, etc...perhaps too much so. Two pools, marble floors, beautiful sunsets, and a view to die for.
The whole point of our time spent in this rental home is to highlight the vast disparity that still exists between those who have and those who do not. We're in the midst of the 'intensive,' which so far has consisted of visiting historical sites concerning the rise and fall of apartheid, beginning with, well, the begining...the Castle of Good Hope (ironic name), the first architechture that white people put on the tip of Southern Africa, when they "discovered" it in the 1600s.
We've been dealing a lot with Afrikaner identity (those are those of Dutch descent, yet consider themselves to be indigenous to the country), and the ways in which the Dutch Reformed Church intersected with the political structures in a deadly perpetuation of apartheid. Frankly, the trip has been difficult so far, sifting through what it means to be a white person in my own context.
There is much more to say, but know that I am well. Tomorrow we will go to an Anglican church in the township in which we will be staying shortly...and then to Cape Point (where the penguins are). Sweetness.
More soon. Take care.
16 May 2006
well...
Well friends,
So far so good...although I haven't gotten to South Africa yet. I'm currently typing away from London's Heathrow Airport, awaiting the 11.5 hour trip to Cape Town. Whew.
However, this is after a twelve hour layover in London...long enough to hop the tube into the city, grab a pub lunch (I had fish and chips...), walk on the shores of the Thames, and see a few other things. So fun.
But, so tiring. It's an odd sort of interplay, going from London to South Africa. One township(Crossroads?) is right near the airport. I'm not really sure what to expect...but I'll let you know soon!
Yep, I'm random. You'd do anything to pass the time, too.
So far so good...although I haven't gotten to South Africa yet. I'm currently typing away from London's Heathrow Airport, awaiting the 11.5 hour trip to Cape Town. Whew.
However, this is after a twelve hour layover in London...long enough to hop the tube into the city, grab a pub lunch (I had fish and chips...), walk on the shores of the Thames, and see a few other things. So fun.
But, so tiring. It's an odd sort of interplay, going from London to South Africa. One township(Crossroads?) is right near the airport. I'm not really sure what to expect...but I'll let you know soon!
Yep, I'm random. You'd do anything to pass the time, too.
12 May 2006
So, a change in plans in the placement. I’ll be working with Treatment Action Campaign an advocacy group. Here’s some text from the site...
It sounds like a good opportunity for me to put my money where my proverbial mouth is, you know? Yes, I’ve ‘cared’ about AIDS since I realized how stigmatized the issue is (as well as my own stereotypes), and since I’ve met some very passionate individuals fighting for AIDS awareness and financially feasible therapy. But I have no idea...I don’t know anyone who is HIV positive.
The leader of the NGO, Zackie Achmat, has quite a story. Himself HIV+, He put his money where his proverbial mouth is, refusing to take antiretroviral therapy (in my understanding, drugs that can slow, if not eliminate, the progression of HIV symptoms) until a substantial program was legislated by the South African government to provide the same therapy at a reasonable cost. You can read more about him here, at Wikipedia.
The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) was founded on 10 December 1998 in Cape Town, South Africa. We campaign for treatment for people with HIV and to reduce new HIV infections. Our efforts have resulted in many life-saving interventions, including the implementation of country-wide mother-to-child transmission prevention and antiretroviral treatment programmes. The TAC also runs a treatment literacy campaign: this is a training programme on the science of HIV treatment and prevention.
It sounds like a good opportunity for me to put my money where my proverbial mouth is, you know? Yes, I’ve ‘cared’ about AIDS since I realized how stigmatized the issue is (as well as my own stereotypes), and since I’ve met some very passionate individuals fighting for AIDS awareness and financially feasible therapy. But I have no idea...I don’t know anyone who is HIV positive.
The leader of the NGO, Zackie Achmat, has quite a story. Himself HIV+, He put his money where his proverbial mouth is, refusing to take antiretroviral therapy (in my understanding, drugs that can slow, if not eliminate, the progression of HIV symptoms) until a substantial program was legislated by the South African government to provide the same therapy at a reasonable cost. You can read more about him here, at Wikipedia.
11 May 2006
Internship?
If this internship placement works out, I couldn't be happier. It sounds like the perfect opportunity to gain a practical understanding of ‘community development,’ that is, what it is or whether I agree with it.
------ Forwarded Message
From: brian
Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 06:07:37 -0700 (PDT)
To: John Hoag
Subject: Re: Internship?
John,
I apologize deeply that I have not sent you information about your placement yet. I am currently trying to place you in the organization that I worked with last year. It is an NGO that I love dearly that balances its time between Imbizos (the Xhosa word for conflict mediation), and sustainable community development. Unfortunately, because the director is so busy with national and international projects, I have had a hard time sitting down with her to discuss what she has available for you to work on. I want to be sure that you won't be behind a desk all day typing grant proposals. Some of that wouldn't be bad, but I certainly don't want that to be the bulk of your work. I have some other possibilities in my mind, but as I said, I think this is a wonderful organization, and I think you will enjoy it as well, so I don't want to give up on it just yet, even though I would have like to have given you information sooner. I will find time that the two of us can sit down together and talk more when you get here, so I can properly prepare you for the work you will be doing. Thanks for your patience John. Finish strong, and I'll see you in a few short days.
~brian
John Hoag wrote:
------ Forwarded Message
From: brian
Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 06:07:37 -0700 (PDT)
To: John Hoag
Subject: Re: Internship?
John,
I apologize deeply that I have not sent you information about your placement yet. I am currently trying to place you in the organization that I worked with last year. It is an NGO that I love dearly that balances its time between Imbizos (the Xhosa word for conflict mediation), and sustainable community development. Unfortunately, because the director is so busy with national and international projects, I have had a hard time sitting down with her to discuss what she has available for you to work on. I want to be sure that you won't be behind a desk all day typing grant proposals. Some of that wouldn't be bad, but I certainly don't want that to be the bulk of your work. I have some other possibilities in my mind, but as I said, I think this is a wonderful organization, and I think you will enjoy it as well, so I don't want to give up on it just yet, even though I would have like to have given you information sooner. I will find time that the two of us can sit down together and talk more when you get here, so I can properly prepare you for the work you will be doing. Thanks for your patience John. Finish strong, and I'll see you in a few short days.
~brian
John Hoag wrote:
Hi Brian,
I just spoke with Charis Idicheria today and heard of her placement...she¡&hibar;s so excited, and it seems to be right up her ally. I¡&hibar;m just curious as to whether I¡&hibar;ve been placed in an NGO, and whether any details are available. Is there anything I should know or expect? I¡&hibar;d just like to know as I¡&hibar;m wrapping stuff up in the states and getting ready for our time in South Africa.
Thanks Brian,
john
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