Report 5

A Journey to Malungeni

Cape Town is now past and for four days we have traveled sometimes along the Indian Ocean and then again along the mountain ranges. Our journey could best be summed up in the words of Gene Ott, “In all my travels, I have never seen so many rainbows.” In the high plains of South Africa there is a place called Malungeni. This is Spiwo’s homeland and his mother and brothers still live here. Malungeni is one location in the larger area called Ngqeleni, which means ‘cold place.’ Today it was living up to its reputation and eight sweatered Americans went off for a grade school concert up the dirt road. We were told the concert would be at 10:00 AM, or maybe 11:00. Actually at about 10:30, the magic started, uniformed children appeared from up the road along with the blanketed women and a cold dark community centre came alive with the voices of over a hundred children, cheered on by their proud parents, teachers, and eight wet-eyed Americans. Cyril Paul became part of it all and the grand finale were a small group of dancers and drummers to the delight of all.

The rest of the day in Malungeni was spent in a visit to the head man, talking to the women and children, and being made aware that most of the adult men are away, working in Cape Town or the mines. There is a stark beauty to this place but it is clearly one with the least of life’s essentials.

This journey has been one of many gifts. The long drives in the vans have provided everyone with adequate time to tell their own stories and to listen to Jan or Spiwo explain the many complexities of this land of contradictions. Evenings are spent in community dinners. The last days, when we are preparing our own, everyone helped in the process. On the last night with Jan and Spiwo each person spoke about their reflections and thoughts. Both men thanked us repeatedly for coming, not because we could bring supplies or money, but because we could build a stronger relationship between us. For some, it was the first time the saw blacks and whites together in work and conversation. Spiwo said it best, "Whenever people cross racial lines, I think God smiles.” -Chuck Macdonald

Chuck MacDonald and his wife Beth are Parishioners of St. Joan of Arc. He is a member of the Parish Council. Chuck also serves on the Board of Open Arms of MN. He is presently actively involved in efforts to help victims of Aids and poverty in South Africa and has traveled to Cape Town three times in the past fourteen months.