Dearest friends,
If ever I was searching for a motive or a special idea to write this newsletter for... I found it! Ever since Jean's arrival in South Africa, his most wanted desire was to meet Mr. Nelson Mandela. He has put the South African people to a hard test in trying to organize this meeting. Unfortunately, up to October 8th all the efforts in that sense brought no reward... There was a letter sent to Mr. Mandela's foundation, from Jean together with the haut commissariat of Canada in Pretoria. After a short waiting period, we were advised that the meeting would not take place. It was sad... but these things happen... and Jean resolved to walk happily into Mozambique.... as this is not the first time his desire is not fulfilled!
A previous "Backpacker owner" had alerted Elmar, a "Backpacker owner" in Durban to be on the lookout for Jean's arrival in the big city. So Elmar welcomed Jean on October 8th and then proceeded to help him in anyways possible... he introduced Jean to Richard McElligott, Honorary Consul for Canada in Durban and, talking about his adventure, Jean said that his only regret was to leave South Africa without having met the "great Madiba". These words prompted Richard McElligott and Elmar into action. A little later, Elmar arranged an interview for Jean with the major of Durban, Mr. Obed Mlaba who officially invited Jean to the inauguration of a center for youth, in Durban for the next Tuesday, October 14th 2003. Mr. Mandela was to be there...
In an email that Jean wrote when all was arranged, he said: "Better not to talk about it yet... just in case..." I could not help myself... I told!!! And it happened!!!
In an email that Jean wrote after the meeting, he said: "Mr. Mandela is very inspiring... I kept watching him...trying to take in his way to help people... this will surely help me, in the future when I will dedicate myself to the youth in concrete terms."
Jean's stay in Durban was packed with all kinds of goodies! Elmar summed it up in an email he sent me:
"My name is Elmar.
I live in Durban and have had Jean passing through my life for the past week or so.
I own Gibela Backpackers Lodge and Safaris.
Jean stayed with me for 4 nights during which we had a very eventful time.
The Canadian Honorary Consul general welcomed us in his office last week Thursday 09/10/2003. From there we had an interview with the local radio station East Coast Radio.
The Mercury (Durban's Morning Paper) did an interview, which appeared in Friday 10 October 2003 Morning newspaper.
From there we headed to the Mayors Parlor where we had an informal meeting with His Worship the Mayor Mr. Obed Mlaba. Friday saw us doing all Jeans final preparations before continuing his trip into Africa.
A most rewarding dinner and time spent at Cafe 99 - sponsored by the Cafe 99 Team and meeting a local wire craftsman - Jabulani who made a world map with Jeans name on from wire.
New shoes and sandals sponsored by Red Arrow Trading was delivered and fitted.
Visiting Back To Life Orthopaedics for a new inner sole kindly sponsored by them.
Getting a hair cut sponsored by Pauline from Terry Scott Hair
Talking to the pupils from Clifton Primary Schools - a local boys school.
Stocking up on malaria test kits, spares and parts for his buggy and he was finally ready to head of for Zululand.
Elmar Z. Neethling"
Hum! What can I add? It really has been a very eventful time... How can we thank you??? Elmar, the super organizer, Mr. Obed Mlaba for granting Jean's most wanted desire, the Café 99 team, Jabulani, Red Arrow Trading, Pauline, from Terry Scott Hair and many others...
Jean's walk through South Africa has been blessed by the kindness of its people... he was treated like a spoiled child all the way. He said that, up to now there has been the longest chain of sleeping places booked ahead for him since he left Montreal. And... most of these places are heavenly.... like the Bhangazi Lodge... this is the email I received on October 24th.
"Dear Luce,
Our names are Wimpie and Andreas and we live in St. Lucia, South Africa. We had the chance to meet your husband Jean on the road N2 to Mtubatuba. We picked him up on October 21st 2003 (about 2:30 p.m.) and we dropped him off at the same place on October 23rd, 2003 (08:00 a.m.). He stayed with us at our place called Bhangazi Lodge.
We enjoyed his visit very much and our guests were also very happy to talk to him.
His next stay (October 23rd, 2003) was in Insinkwe Safaris Lodge (Tel.: +27 35 562 2258) close to Bushlands (about 35 km to walk). We called the Lodge on the same day in the early evening and they told us that he arrived safely. As far as we know he should arrive in Hluhluwe today (October 24th, 2003).
We wish you all the best for the future and hope that we'll see you one day, you and your husband together.
Kindest regards from St. Lucia,
Wimpie & Andreas"
South Africa!!! You are Magic!!!
On another order of thoughts, we finally succeeded in booking our next meeting, Jean and I but it will not be for the Christmas holidays, this time! It will be in March 2004, in Lilongwe, Malawi. Do not feel bad if your very first reaction is asking yourself: "Where is that?" I just found out that we, North Americans, are quite ignorant about Africa... at least, I am or rather "was"... because I am having a "crash course on African geography" right now with my "Tarzan" being the professor!
Malawi is "the warm heart of Africa" as they say on their Website: http://www.africaguide.com/country/malawi/culture.htm
and everybody agrees that it is a lovely country.
But, before our reunion, we will have another "get together", you and I, in the form of the same newsletter!!!
Till next time...
Luce