The last weeks

How time flies. Only a few more days and then we are already back in Switzerland. On 16.12.2022 our plane will take off. But until then we would like to see more of South Africa.

Durban

After the Kruger National Park we discussed our further destinations. Andy and Sandy told us that they have an apartment in Durban and that they vacation there from time to time. Sandy had also lived there for several months because of her job. So we decided to fly to Durban on Friday, November 18, as a foursome. We also redeemed one of our joker days so that we could spend our time there up to and including Monday.

The flight was pleasant and short, just under 50 minutes. Makes sense, since it was a domestic flight and Durban is about 500 km from Johannesburg (as the crow flies).
As soon as we arrived, we walked to our rented car and drove off. 40 minutes later we reached Andy’s apartment. It is a really nice apartment and you have a super view to the ocean. During the day we bought the meat and other ingredients for dinner. After shopping we walked together with Andy (Sandra stayed in the apartment) to the beach. Of course we took our swimming trunks with us and jumped into the water, even though the weather was not the best for it. It was cloudy that day and it rained from time to time. We realized what a difference an ocean has in contrast to a sea. The waves are much bigger and we have never seen such strong waves in real and felt them with our body. Also, the Indian Ocean is much warmer than other seas and oceans. „In Cape Town, you have the Atlantic Ocean and it’s much colder there,“ Andy said. We swam happily back and forth with Andy watching over us. Because the ocean gets very deep very quickly as soon as you want to swim further out. And because of the strong waves, you can also be pulled further out unintentionally. And the Indian Ocean here in Durban is also one of the oceans where sharks and whales come relatively close to the shore. Andy had already seen whales coming to the surface with his binoculars from his apartment – simply great!
Anyway. After splashing around in the water, we dried off and went back to the apartment. Afterwards we took a shower and had a barbecue. Once again, we had braai with corn and it was delicious. After that we finished the evening with talking and went to bed.

The next day we had brunch in the morning. Afterwards, four of us drove to a restaurant to drop Sandy off, as she had a date with her girlfriends. We drove together with Andy to the big city of Durban. Our goal was to visit the Moses Mabhida Stadium, which was built for the 2010 World Cup and is still in use now. Across the stadium is a huge steel structure, which was even constructed by a Swiss company. On one side you can walk up the stairs, on the other side you go up with an elevator. At the top of both, you have a huge view and can look directly into the stadium. But this performance remained in our memory: everything was closed, nothing was running. The reason: Covid. We noticed that Andy was angry and we couldn’t quite understand it either. This country has a fundamental problem when it comes to repairing or rebuilding anything. It would have such immense potential with all that it can offer and has available. But once something is broken or doesn’t work anymore, they leave it at that. If they were to put that elevator and staircase back in operation, it would be an immense tourist draw, which would bring a lot of money into the coffers. The only thing that is running now and that you could book was a paid 45-minute stadium tour, which is accompanied by a guide. And to be honest, we were all not in the mood for that.
For this reason we drove on to the „uShaka Sea World“ park, where we could marvel at many fish and sharks in large aquariums. It was extremely beautiful. But the highlight of this day was still to come: a dolphin show, which we had booked. It looks so impressive how these creatures perform tricks and put on a perfect show. We liked it very much. But at the same time we wondered how well these dolphins are looked after the show, if they have much too small habitats and, and, and. After the show it started to rain heavily, we walked back to our car and drove off to Sandy and her friends. Once there, it was still pouring rain and we noticed that only one of her friends was still here. So we all sat down and ordered Italian food and spent the early evening at this restaurant. Afterwards we went back to our apartment where a Jass match was waiting for us. After the Jass we went to bed early because we wanted to get up early tomorrow: we want to see the sunrise.

On Sunday we got up at 04:30, as the sun now rises much earlier at our place than at yours. The sunrise right by the sea was so fantastic – we thought we were on cloud nine. It was really beautiful and we already knew that we would miss this extremely in Switzerland. After the sightseeing, we crawled back into bed and slept for a few more hours. After that we had a balanced breakfast with scrambled eggs, bread, bacon etc. again.
Afterwards, the four of us set off again for another test of courage: a slide over the Oribi Gorge.
When we arrived, we noticed that it was relatively hidden and not so many people were there. But this did not distract us. We first crossed a not so safe rocking bridge and arrived at the spot. There the harness was put on us and a few minutes later Rouven was able to hiss off. The view into this huge canyon was just great! After that it was Urs‘ turn and he also liked it very much. But we also have to admit that we didn’t have the same feeling here as we did when bungee jumping. That’s clear, because bungee jumping is in a league of its own. Andy and Sandra drove around the bridge with the car and filmed or photographed everything.
After our swing, everyone took an ice cream and then we drove on. The next and last destination that day was a visit to friends of Andy and Sandra. When we arrived, we greeted everyone, had a drink and Urs as well as Rouven jumped into the pool. Afterwards we were invited for dinner. There was venison with different side dishes and it was again very tasty. During the late afternoon we told stories and laughed a lot. It was a very nice evening. Afterwards we said goodbye, thanked for the hospitality and finally drove back home to our apartment.

On Monday we all slept in and did not do too much more. The three of us went to the beach again and wanted to swim around noon. When we spent a few minutes in the water, a lifeguard came from the beach and told us that we had better get out of the water. The reason was that some citizens who live by the river were dumping all their garbage into this river (including feces, etc.). And this water runs into the ocean. We were all annoyed by this and thought it was a pity. So we went back to the apartment a bit disappointed. We ate something and in the afternoon it was already „Goodbye Durban“ again.
Also on the return flight nothing strange happened and we returned to our house with great impressions. Also for this time in Durban we would like to thank Andy as well as Sandra. Durban has a wonderful nature and looks extremely beautiful!

Apartheid-Museum

On Sunday, November 27, we went to the Apartheid Museum, which is just next door to Gold Reef City (we went there with Mondli on the blog „Life, Events and More“ <= make link). We walked through the museum and read some reports that were hanging on the wall.
Apartheid was a very dark chapter for the black population. Various compatriots from the north (British, Dutch, etc.) came to South Africa over 200 years ago and formed colonies. After domestic wars, the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, with only whites in government. What followed was racial segregation, which was strictly enforced after WW2 and became the nickname „Apartheid“. Only the whites were allowed to use certain beaches, bars, restaurants, toilets or buses. The Black people got less and less rights. Even in school this was the case, as we saw a picture in the museum how the dark-skinned people were taught at that time. No desks, no chairs, no smart education – just nothing. They wanted to impose in the country the language Afrikaans (which was spoken by the whites) and English and remove all other languages. It even came to the point that in 1963 the Black people were resettled in so-called „townships“ (= a part of a city with little houses built of tin or any other found scrap), because the cities were reserved for the whites. Strikes and riots were instigated again and again, with the military usually taking strict action. It was a very bad time. But one man vehemently opposed this racial segregation. So firmly that he was in prison for 27 years. We are talking of course about Nelson Mandela, who became president in 1993. Before that, the president before him was elected (Frederik Willem de Klerk), who freed Mandela from imprisonment in 1990. After the election of Nelson Mandela, who was the first Black president in South Africa, apartheid was abolished and Black people were completely equalized with whites.
All good, right? Not quite, as there were further uprisings and deadly clashes between Black ethnic groups after that, as some had no say in the government, for example. There were also clashes where the tables were turned and the whites were threatened by the blacks.
Now then: This all happened just about 30 years ago, which is not far at all from 2022. We think it is good that such museums remain standing so that people can look at and understand all this. Under no circumstances should these historical monuments be dismantled or abolished with the excuse that this was in the past and we want to look forward. This is a big part of South African history.
But both there is this museum, we also think that in the future there should also be a museum that shows what is happening in the present time. The government is bribed, nothing is pushed forward, big repairs are simply ignored, the electricity sometimes simply switches off despite free loadshedding day, the health insurance doesn’t work properly, stores are closed, and so on. It seems to us like a beautiful house of cards that is slowly collapsing. Something that Nelson Mandela certainly did not want. Because the country would be so beautiful and it would have an enormous potential!

Buhler Christmas event

Another Buhler event was just around the corner. Christmas is just around the corner, and the event organizers from BJHB (=Buehler Johannesburg) have once again come up with something very cool. It started on Friday, December 2nd. Usually we stop working at 13:00 on this day of the week. But on this date, we ran out of the store already at 12:00, crossed the street and gathered all under a big tent on a meadow. Earlier in the morning, everyone had been given a small bag containing a t-shirt, a mug, a cap, a notepad and a letter.
Rachel explained at the front of the microphone how this afternoon would go and brought in Harry. He is the head of Buhler Johannesburg. Together with other employees, he announced the sales of the various orders zhey had received during the year. He also explained that this year has been outstanding for BJHB. After this great news, Rachel began the „loyalty“ awards. In this, some received an award for having been with BJHB for 5 years. Others got the award for 10 years, etc. But the biggest award was given to an employee who has been with Buhler in Johannesburg for 25 years! Everyone was able to take a picture with Harry afterwards. Afterwards, Rachel even called on Urs and Rouven and explained to the audience that we had been here for 3 months, actually work at the Buhler sites in Switzerland, and love Pap (South African porridge) more than anything. We were given another T-shirt and were also allowed to have our picture taken with Harry.
After everyone was awarded, the social afternoon began. One could eat burgers and had different vouchers for different drinks. As a leisure activity there was „bullriding“, table football and Jenga, which we all tried of course. Of course there was music playing in the background and you could dance at any time.
It was a great afternoon and evening and we thank all the organizers for putting this event together. We feel extremely well taken care of and very comfortable here!