Thursday, Mar 9. (These events are out of order: sue me.) Toured the fringes of Soweto, a depressive shanty town (city). Several local guides spoke of their experiences and how the area struggles to survive, much less improve itself. (I did not take photos of the shacks, which were laughingly called homes.) Watched a performance of a local street group. One was an albino, which was a refreshing change from the horrors facing albinos in Tanzania.
Demonstrations are constitutionally legal in the country. We witnessed one outside a hospital, protesting the 3% pay raise offered when there is 10% inflation. Tasted cow’s head meat with rice and salt. Had lunch at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant which normally serves taxi drivers. A good spread of local foods.
Visited Freedom Square and Sisilu Square in Kliptown. Guided by a thin, lively local. A too brief discussion about Afrlphobia, where locals are against (sometime violently) foreign workers. With upwards of 50% unemployment, it’s a valid issue. I was hoping for a much more expansive briefing, but we were outside under the sun, so haste was okay.
Got a briefing at the Hector Pietersen Memorial (which I visited in 2020) from Hector’s sister. 12 year-old Hector was killed in 1976 during a student demonstration against having to learn the Afrikaans language. Spellbinding narrative. The museum was jammed with a seemingly unending line of children.
Had dinner again at Trumps. Ordered a glass of sparkling wine and Shaun came with a full bottle. “I’m charging you for a glass, but giving you the bottle.” Also had wine and port to go with ribeye, wagyu steak, and “Death By Chocolate”. Talked to a couple of fun servers who were waiting for their reservations to arrive. Another fantastic dinner.
