‘MAMA MARIA!!’ When Maria isn’t trying to marry me off (you see apparently I would get a very large Labola!...) or have me assist with the beheading of a chicken we get along great! She is the ‘Mama’ of the village, meaning that she doesn’t take anything from no one! She is full of life and goes not stop- she will drive to and from Pretoria (about 5 hrs away) in one day to turn around and prepare a feast for the village the next. Maria is always on the go but makes time to chat and catch up me every day- and I know that if I haven’t seen her over 2 days she’ll send someone (usually a niece or nephew) to tell me to go and see her! Maria has helped me to understand how much has changed here in the new South Africa. When she was growing up she left school at age 9 and to go and work on a farm with her Mother, although Venda was a homeland during Apartheid the people were required to work for free for 3 months of the year on an Afrikaaner’s farm. The treatment and living conditions were appalling. Although she went through this and other hardships she has developed her own successful business which employs more than 10 women in the village. Let me know if you want some of her Macedonia nuts (they are exported all over the world!) or if you need fresh-fresh fruits or vegetables she only buys the best tasting!
Principal Grace Mudau- Principal Grace is the principal of Muthamaro Secondary School where I have been volunteering since January. To say that she has a tough job is a understatement- the challenges that she faces within the school system and on a daily base would make anyone question whether the job is worth it- however Grace is full of strength and determination- she sees the potential in students despite the fact that others say that “these students are hopeless”- she believes that each and every one of them has potential and will make a future for themselves. She grew up in a rural village like Manamani and understands the students’ hardships- which is all the more reason why she knows that they can achieve. I would be leaving out something if I did not mention that she also has to fight against the stereotype that typically a principal of a secondary school is to be a man, not a woman- despite the new South Africa patriarchy is very strong here and she has a daily battle to fight the backroom chatter from the system. However she is having strong achievements for the school and the learners and educators respect her.
“Mamma Lydia” Lydia started her place of safety by opening her home and heart to kids in need. She has done this with honestly and love which is why 7 years after she started her children have become successful and she continues to help more kids. I have spoken about Lydia in my previous posts as she is the one who started the orphanage where I stayed for the month of December and visited everyday during my time in Venda. Lydia was a school teacher for over 35 years and when she retired she did not just want to “sit under the tree and drink.” – the irony of her reasoning is that she is probably the most committed child advocate- in action and living that I’ve met- she lives with 23 children every day and she fights for them to be enrolled in school, sport and activities. Her commitment to the children and to change the South African Social system is making a difference- while I was there each week she would have some other group, government specialist or organisation stopping by to talk with her and ask her advise. However what she always would tell them and then tell me- “You know what these children need is love and school.” I couldn’t agree more. Below is Lydia- Dida- and one of her new little ones.
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