On our way to school, we round a corner to find a flock of goats in the middle of the road and the three Vukandlule students in the middle of them. Callie and I have both been dying to touch a baby goat – they look so cuddly and soft. And there she is, touching a beautiful caramel and white one. We arrive at Sicambeni in time for prayers and the marching song before I go to observe Nobantu’s lesson.
Then off to Vukandlule for Lerato’s drama lesson. Her Grade 7s are performing a traditional ritual and their clapping echoes against the building as they escort a boy dressed like an initiate from his initiation rite back to his home. As the bell rings and children trickle out onto the playground, the echo of the clapping is drowned by the real clapping of a live audience. The task suddenly moves out of the realm of “assessment” and becomes true performance. I wish I had my video camera with me.
A quick computer lesson at Cwebeni and then we pack 14 Grade 6s into the bakkie and set off for the Umngazi Mini Olympics. Each of the schools has sent 10 or so learners and there are about 20 guests from Umngazi to share in the games. The highlight for many of the children is crossing the river in the boat. This is great fun, and the Cwebeni children are especially happy as they know their teachers do it daily. The Vukandlule children are smartly kitted out – girls with green netball bibs and boys with smart navy shirts with an Imana Wild Ride logo. We weren’t sure that they would be able to come and are thrilled to see them with Mr Diyane.
Each team is managed by their students and the Umngazi team is managed by Michelle and Graham’s daughter, Kinvaren. Steve, Nelson and Aubrey get the games in motion. Human hurdles, soccer where all 5 players have to hold on to each other, long jump, 3 legged and sack races and relays keep us occupied for an hour. The school kids sit silently during the instructions, but become very excited during the games. But no one gets more excited than Mdu who shouts and dances when his team wins. A highlight is Graham, participating in the sack race in a sack that reaches just above his knees. What a good sport!
At the end, each team has to sing or cheer and Thelma joins in with the Cwebeni team, dancing when her name is called out. Mbuso and Mzamo cause a riot with their dancing. Thabo leads the Sicambeni group in a lively dance, while Lerato is in charge of the Vukandlule group. The two men’s voices contrast with the high voices of the girls, and the music rings out across the beach. A high kicker in the Sicambeni group inspires one of the Umngazi boys and he gives a Michael Jackson moonwalk performance as his group sings.
The afternoon ends with refreshments and trips home before it gets dark. It’s a lovely mix of kids all enjoying themselves together, and the Bungalows bringing the 3 schools together in one place. A delightful afternoon. I hope it is the first of many.
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