8/3/2016. Cape Town Day 2; Feels Like Day 10

Greetings as Wednesday nears to an end … 11:20 pm; finishing second full day on the ground, but it feels like I’ve been here for about 10 days, because each day is totally chock full. I’m starting this note at about 5:30 pm and need to leave for dinner (at a faculty member’s house from the university) in about 30 minutes. I’ll probably finish when we return late tonight (or else in the morning).

I forgot to mention (I think ) in last night’s missive, that the young people here in ZA are referred to as the “born frees” because they were born either in the year of, or subsequent to, the fall of apartheid and the birth of the new nation. There is a lot of concern as to how these “born frees” will actually vote.

I said I’d say something today about what we are hearing about the US elections: here it is.

All of the people we are meeting with regarding our project for next summer are appalled at the notion that Trump has gotten this far and are shocked at even the slightest potential that he could become the next US President. But, that said, the people who run the B&B we are in, taxi drivers, and others I’ve spoken with seem to believe that it is a fait au complet that Trump will win and they seem to think it’s fine. They like him. They say that he must be smart to have gotten this far and made so much money, and that it shows he’s capable of doing anything.

At the moment, I have the local news on the television which is reporting the results of municipal elections. The big issue involves the ANC; nearly everyone we have met with – of every political and racial stripe —  say that the ANC cannot continue on the way they have. Yet, there is a lot of “nostalgia” about the ANC, given that it was Mandela’s party and that it was South Africa’s governing party that has been in power since the transition to democracy in 1994.

Began the day quite early, doing some work related to the office and dealing with some issues at the printer in LA. Then went to a caffe to meet a singer, Jennifer Jones who actually lives and works in Oakland. She’s here in ZA on a somewhat self-imposed sabbatical to get background information for her music. She considers herself an artivist, has  been an artistic spokesperson for awareness and social justice through art. I’ll connect with her again when we are both back in Oakland. Then I strolled the Bo-Kaap, the neighborhood we’re staying in. It has an interesting history, as the place where descendants of slaves from Malaysia, Indonesia, and many African countries, who were imported to by the Dutch during the 16th and 17th centuries lived. As slaves, they were known as “Cape Malays” (which is not really accurate since many of the residents were not of Malaysian descent). The first mosque in Cape Town is also in the neighborhood so we are serenaded regularly by the call to prayer.

Then walked about 4 miles to meet Chris and Scott (the CEO of the NGO in Philippi) for lunch. Weather was good so I walked (in the end a total of 5.5 miles).. and climbed up and down many stairs to change street elevations. Just as I was nearing the restaurant, I got a text that the restaurant was closed (Election Day is a serious holiday here) and that I should head to another restaurant about a mile from there. Turned around and headed that way. Found Chris and Scott sitting at an outside picnic table in front of a restaurant situated on a small square – with beers in hand. But, because of election day, this restaurant was going to do a BBQ… and lots of people at tables also drinking.. and everyone sharing appetizers.. and talking. But, it was clear that the BBQ was far from being ready and by now it was about 2:30: we were starving and also didn’t want to eat too late since we knew we were headed to a dinner at a faculty member’s house and he is known to be a great Indian chef…

So we trekked to another place downtown that was open… Had salad and lots of chatting about politics, education, healthcare, economics, etc… as well as giving lots of advice about fund development, image programs, and messaging to help Scott and his NGO (which is a collaborative, making it more challenging to make communication and messaging work). Also advised about board development and the potential for him to establish an international advisory board (that could help him raise the funds he needs). He’s well-positioned, but not well-known enough and has a complex message to deliver for a small and young organization. We also talked about how to use his Ivy League connections to his advantage and the advantage of his organization. We were met by Scott’s boyfriend who is a stylist, and in so many ways very different from Scott.

Hiked back to the B&B (another mile or so uphill)… did some work, and then we headed to a suburb of Capetown (20 minute drive) where Rajendra lives – and where we would get this home-cooked Indian dinner. Rajendra is a real character – very very smart, witty, totally knowledgeable about a host of issues and topics, and definitely a great cook. Indian, born in South Africa, and lived in Durbin until he came to Cape Town to join the faculty of Cape Peninsula University. He’s a post-colonial scholar and Research Chair in Literacy Development and Poverty. Considers himself a critical educationist, with primary research interest in the marginalization of children in high poverty communities and the connection to race, class, and inequality in schooling. He’s well published, but is the most human guy I’ve met in a long time. Beyond all of this, he’s a long distance runner (lots of marathons) and climbed Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, and Everest/Annapurna!

Food was fantastic; we downed many bottles of wine, and laughed away the evening. In addition, there was one other guest – Karva (sp?) who recently accepted a position at Rajendra’s university – having come from Namibia where he was the head of community engagement for the university. He established a very intense required internship program with very strong hiring results for graduates, a big deal here since unemployment is at about 35% and young people from the townships are unemployed at a rate of about 95%. He will be the Director of Engagement at Rajendra’s university – Cape Peninsula University. We talked a lot about the work I’ve done to develop appropriate and authentic engagement programs at the university level – the challenges, the purpose… and also talked a lot about the community engagement projects FTA has done in numerous cities and communities. Since I cannot stay any longer than the dates already set for this trip, I said I would consider coming back to brainstorm with them about their current thinking regarding policies and programs across the campus and to meet with the president of the university to boice my position about this issue. Definitely found two new friends that will last for life.

Did I mention that dinner was fantastic? Left Pinelands after lots of hugs… and drove back to BoKaap; it’s about 12:30 am… and I’m signing off.

Fern

PS – Latest results: ANC about 51%; DA about 34%; EFF about 4%… While ANC is leading nationally, DA has picked up many seats; This is a large reduction for ANC from last election. More post-election news tomorrow..