In the bus, we were given a brief introduction about the Zuluz on the bus by Gerhard and Daniel. The Zulus live in extended family groups and is patriarchal. They mostly practice subsistence farming. Zulu means heaven. However, these people from heaven are having in an increasing difficult livelihood. Interestingly, Derek says that what the Africans are in shortage of is no, not food, not water but firewood. Talk about an irony, got food but no fire to cook it. So nowadays, locals have to walk further to get this necessity.
The border between SA and Swaziland
As soon as we pass the border (easily compared to the SG - JB one), the first thing to greet us is two young kids, kicking their feet high up in the air, dancing to the beat of the drum. According to Derek, the older ones must be in school, thus, there are only the babies performing. In any case, we were allowed for some photo taking.
Next detination is the Capital of Swaziland, Mbobane. We alight in their bus station and headed straight to their mall. It's quite good actually. While depositing our bags (we have to exchange our bag for a basket in order to enter the supermarket), we chatted with the lady at the counter and she told us that in Swaziland, they speak Swazi instead of Zulu as in South Africa. Another warm lcal lagy told us that they are in very good terms with Malaysia, on the account that all their stamps are printed there and their king had visited Malaysia 4 times. I did some souvenir shopping and we ate pizzas for lunch. Seems like only Derek did any major shopping and many of us were late. Gerhard dis a maor protrayal of "I am pissed" look. Finally, after some waiting, we're on our way to the village where we will deposit some bags collected by Derek for the villagers.
The bus station at the Capital of Swaziland
6 girls and a pizza place
The village is a typical Zulu one. It housed a total of 12 people from one big extended family. Teh lady of the "house" told us about her situation that her husband had passed away and this year's harvest wasn't good. Before we know it, we were confronted by children, mostly boys for money. I have mixed feelings about the visit as I wasn't sure if we're helping them by giving them stuff or we are destroying them by allowing them to be dependent on help. I didn't take as many pictures as I intended as I felt like exploiting their situation for a picture.
The village
A group picture with the villagers
The visit ended with a happy note, when Gerhard distracted the children by playing football with the young ones. Finally, we heard some genuine laughter and emotions. I am glad that children are still children despite all. Gerhard later left a ruby ball with them. Guess that's how human spirit is, very versatike to the hardship that is life.
On the bus, Derek elaborated on what he had learnt from the lady. Derek commented that despite the situation she'd described, he couldn't help but doubt the severity of her situation, since she appeared to be rather well-fed. He believed that she must have received some help along the way, which is good I guess.
Soon we reached our next stop, which is a row of shops selling curious. Thinking back, I believe Derek was trying to lighten the mood by saying what he had to make us feel better about the visit. Before long we were all in shoping mode and before the 30 mins of shoping time was up, soem serious shopping and hard bargaining was done.
Some curios being displayed
We passed by the Big Bend, which is actually a big bend of the Pongola Rover, and soon exited Swaziland and back into SA. Drive straight to our lodgings for the night which ended with a Zulu dance performance at dinner.
