Hugh in South Africa.
He writes: "Here are some photos from Maqaveni - the informal settlelement featured on PM this evening - where they have at last got more than a thousand new homes. PM (and BH) listeners may remember Maqaveni - I've been dropping in fairly regularly since 1994.
1: One of the old (and better) shacks at Maqaveni. No water or toilet or electricity.
2: A new home in Maqaveni. Water, toilet and electricity.
3: New homes where the sugar cane used to grow.
4: Osana and her brother Lokhelo, happy with their new house.
5: Children outside one of the old shacks
6: Medical student Siya Mgadi (white hat) and his friends near the new houses. He can now study with electric light, instead of with a candle in a shack. "
RSS feed
Email us
Listen to PM
I go to Durban every year to help in local schools. Something I hear all the time, and was repeated on PM tonight, is that there is crime in Durban, but it's like that everywhere.
The people of South Africa need to reject this false assumption, that is perpetuated by the politicians.
My first time in Durban, I was at a meeting of local politicians / dignitaries, where it was explained that if we were mugged, not to take it personally, it wasn't that we were white, it's just they'll mug anybody.
The violence that they experience is not [b]everywhere[/b] and instead of accepting it as a matter of course, they need to rally against it!
Thank you, Hugh, for these wonderful photos which have lightened my day. It is lovely to hear from South Africa. I haven't returned since my childhood, but hope to get there soon. It will be interesting to see the changes.
Stewart: About the crime levels. When I lived there as a child, mugging was already a part of daily life. It wasn't spoken about a great deal, though, but people kept big dogs, guns, and other means to protect themselves. This nearly 50 years ago, when the regime was extremely repressive. I think the stark inequalities will continue to fire high rates of crime for a long time to come.
Where do you help in Durban? Just out of interest ....
Hi Big Sister,
I go to schools in and around Umlazi / Wentworth, covering the black, indian and coloured communities, as they are known in SA.
Thanks, Stewart. We lived for a while in Durban North (I know, the other side of the city) then on the Berea, nearer to Wentworth. We knew Scottsburg well (as must you). I'm sure it has all changed hugely since we were there. Thinking of the Berea reminded me of the whale fishing that took place in those days, but I assume this is now defunct.
It's funny thinking about a place which had such a huge influence upon my childhood, but to which I am now such a stranger. I really must get back soon.
4. Glad you can afford it, Sister.
Mac: How lovely to see you again, and with your usual wit! The fact that I haven't been back correlates directly to my ability to afford to go there.