My So Called "Village" Life

Countryside near Phokeng 

I arrived at my post a little over a week ago. I am posted in Phokeng, which is in the Northwest Province of South Africa and approximately 20 minutes from Rustenburg.  Phokeng is the capital of the Royal Bafokeng Nation.

The Royal Bafokeng Nation

I’ll share with you more about The Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN) as I learn more, but here is quick background on them.  The Bafokeng trace their ancestry to the Bahurutshe and the Bakwena, which settled in this region in the late 1600s.  The Bafokeng are ruled by a kgosi (king).  Today, the RBN is comprised of 29 villages that are governed through a mix of democracy and traditional leadership.  Kgosi overseas several institutions such as The Royal Bafokeng Holdings, the Royal Bafokeng Administration, and the Royal Bafokeng Institution, that oversee everything from education to road construction within the RBN. 

Phokeng Countryside (taken from Bafokeng High)

RBN has a quite unique history.  Feeling that their land was threatened by the Boers or Afrikaans they determined early on that they needed to formally buy their land.  By the late 19^th century the RBN had established themselves as a private, corporate land owner.  Platinum was then discovered on Bafokeng territory in 1924.  In fact, Bafokeng land contains some of the world’s richest deposits of platinum and chrome, as well as rare and valuable types of granite.  To my understanding RBN is the wealthiest tribe in Africa with assets worth billions of dollars.  I also just learned the RBN is the sister city to Prince Georges County, MD (the “area” where I am from) How cool is that!!!!

Phokeng

Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus 

So with that said, Phokeng is a “developed village” (not quite a village, but not yet a township). A lot of the RBN investment has taken place in Phokeng.  Phokeng has a sports palace, with a FIFA certified stadium where some of the World Cup games took place; a sports campus that has a 5 star hotel, a rehab center, a state of the art gym, and a sports academy (to groom future athletes); and a state-of the-art school, Lebone II, that goes from primary to high school.

Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus

Lebone II Outdoor Amphitheater

I am staying at a B&B that is owned by a very nice older couple.  I call them Mey (Mom, respectable way to address an older women) and TaTi (Father/respectable way to address older men).  Mey said I am the daughter she never had!  Their 3 year old grandson stays with them so I play with him and his neighborhood friends sometimes.  Here are a couple of pictures of my new home.

My B&B from a distance 

I stay on the 2nd Floor

View from the 2nd floor terrace 

Another view from the 2nd floor terrace

My bedroom

My bedroom from another view

I use the B&B service kitchen, there are no other guest so I have it to myself

I eat in the kitchen instead of the dinner room

So what am I doing?

My new sporty look

Right now I am spending my time going around and meeting people.  Got to make sure I get alignment, buy in, and support for my marketing plan (I thought corporate America was political), especially since I want to start youth clubs in the schools. The cool thing though is that Royal Bafokeng Sports (RBS) is sponsoring the Special Olympics Africa Unity Cup.  So my work is filtered through them.  So everyone I work with is involved in sports in some capacity whether it’s managing the RBN’s professional soccer team, the Platinum Stars, or coaching handball, rugby, or track and field. The NBA even has a partnership with the RBN so there are 3 American guys here starting a basketball program in the RBN.  Funny thing everyone keeps asking me what sport I do and I am like uuuuhhhhh…I was a Pom in High School and College. I actually may even work a bit with the cheerleading program the NBA is starting.  Sometimes I am like how did I end up here?  And I am still like, am I really a Peace Corps Volunteer, rotfl?

My workout equipment

Other then that I spend my spare time working out (I purchased some workout equipment and work out in the parking lot in front of my place), making jewelry, watching movies, and surfing the net. I have also had the opportunity to attend 2 Platinum Stars games.  I have quickly realized I am not a football/soccer fan, plus I have never enjoyed sitting in VIP areas at games---I like being with the people (I have to try one more game to see what it likes to sit with the vuvuzela folks).  One of my Special Olympics coworkers is from Phokeng and she introduced me to her brother.  He has been really cool as well and has taking me out a couple of times.  Just hoping to continue making friends, but I have felt at home and comfortable here since the day I moved here.  Weird considering I freaked out the first time I saw where I will be living, LOL.

Platinum Stars vs. SuperSport

--Mei   

I want to “Go With Oh” to Dublin!

“Go With Oh” is selecting one lucky blogger to tour 4 European destinations with them as a guest blogger.  I would LOVE to join them and go to Dublin!!! 

As you know I plan to start a yearlong trip around the world this winter.  However, my trip is focused on Asia, South America, and the Middle East.  Europe wasn’t part of my vision primarily because of the cost (and my limited budget). Joining “Go With Oh” on their tour of Europe would give me the opportunity to start my journey in Europe though!!!  I selected Ireland not only because I have never been there, but I also have a great appreciation for Ireland’s rich culture and beautiful landscapes.  Plus, friends that have visited have raved about Irish hospitality!

To engage with the community and learn more about the culture (two things ya know I must do during my travels), here are 5 things I would do in Dublin! 

#1 Kilmainham Goal Historical Museum

A visit to the Kilmainham Gaol Historical Musuem is critical to understanding Ireland’s history. It unveils Ireland’s struggle for independence from English rule.  The majority of the Irish leaders involved in the rebellions of 1798, 1803, 1848, 1867 and 1916 were imprisoned.   As such, Kilmainham Gaol is considered one of the most important Irish monuments of the modern period.

#2 Merry Ploughboy

As a former tap dance, Irish folk dancing has always fascinated me.  So my visit definitely has to include an evening of traditional Irish dancing and music.  Merry Ploughboy is the only pub in Ireland owned and managed by musicians. Their Live Concert is an interactive two-hour show that features highly entertaining performances of live traditional Irish music, song and dancing.  The kitchen also serves fresh Irish food. 

#3 Iveagh Gardens

The Iveagh Gardens, also known as the Secret Garden, were designed by Ninian Niven in 1865.  It offers a tranquil setting to escape from the busy streets of Dublin.  Situated close to the more popular Stephens Green, the  Iveagh Gardens features a rustic grotto, cascade, fountain, maze and rose garden.

#4 Jameson Distillery

I am a Whiskey connoisseur so I absolutely have to include a visit to an Irish whiskey distillery.  The Jameson Distillery in Dublin is no longer operational and now functions as a museum that features daily tours and a 24-hour store.  The hour long guided tours cover the history of the distillery, how whiskey is made and the difference between Scotch and Irish whiskey.  The piece de resistance is the taste test at the end of the tour!!!

#5 Guinness Brewery

Last not but not least, I am not a beer drinker but feel that it’s obligatory to include a visit to the Guinness Brewery.   Plus, the tour includes an overview of how Guinness grew to become a global brand and a look at their award-winning advertising, which appeals to the marketer in me.

If you would like to enter to win a prize, be sure to like “Go With Oh” on Facebook and check out the "Competition 2012" tab where you can suggest Go With Oh's next destination.  If the city you recommend is the winner, you get to choose from 4 fantastic prizes.  

Hopefully, I will have the Luck of the Irish on my side (pun intended) and be selected as the “Go With Oh” guest blogger!!!

--Mei

You are speaking English, right???

I find it simply amazing that even though South Africans speak English, I still apologetically spend a lot of time asking people to repeat what they said because I couldn’t understand them through their heavy British, Afrikaans, Colored, or general South African accent.  Or there are those moments when I sit with a puzzled look, because I heard them perfectly, but have to search for contextual clues to truly get the meaning of what they said, lol.  Below are a couple of South African English words and phrases that have a different meaning in American English.  I have learned most of them through some funny and humbling moments!!!  Note: Many of the words/phrases are a product of the British influence.  So if you have visited England before many will be familiar.

South African English = American English

• Robot = Traffic Light
• Garage = Gas station
• All Stars = Converse Chucks
• Cheese Boy = Pretty Boy
• Take away = To go
• Chappie = Gum
• Kit = Athletic Uniform/Jersey
• Kettle = An electronic pitcher that heats water (for tea and coffee)
• Reverse = Repeat, go back, or back-up (i.e. when someone is presenting and you didn’t catch what they said you would say reverse please)
• Scone = Biscuit (I ordered some of these for afternoon tea for my office, and was quite surprised to see I ordered biscuits)
• Biscuit = Cookie
• Rock Cake = Scone
• Chips = French Fries
• Boot = Car Trunk
• Boots = Can be boots boots but also refers to athletic shoes (in particular I’ve heard it used to refer to soccer cleats and filed hockey shoes)
• Treckies = Tennis Shoes/Sneakers
• Curtain raiser = Opening performance that precedes the main attracting
• Knock off = Get off work/leave work
• Collect you = Pick you up
• Taxi Rank = Taxi Station
• Lift = Elevator
• Tomato Sauce = Ketchup
• Brown Bread = Wheat bread
• Shops = Stores
• Primary school = Elementary school
• Secondary school = Junior high/middle school
• High school = High school

-Mei