Back from South Africa

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 1, 28 May 1985, Page 14

Back from South Africa

Gavin and Paddy Jones of Ohutu Grazing Company in Rangataua, recently returned from a six week trip to South Africa where they attended the wedding of Colleen Mostert. Ten years ago Colleen stayed with the couple in Otorohanga as a Rotary exchange student. Colleen has returned to New Zealand four times since then and stayed with the Jones' forashorttime on each occasion. When she announced her engagement to David Malan, a truck rental operator in Johannesburg, Gavin and Paddy, who had a longstanding invitation to her wedding, started planning for their 'trip of a lifetime'.

The couple left New Zealand on 23rd March for Herare in Zimbabwe where they connected with a South African Airways' flight to Johannesburg. The two hour stopover in Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, was an apprehensive time as they waited in a crowded room with insufficient air conditioning, poor toilet facilities, expensive coffee and armed soldiers who "kept ordering everyone about." It was a relief when they arrived in South Africa, to land at a friendly airport to be greeted by their guests, Colleen's parents, Yvonne and Eric. The wedding took place on 30th March with the reception held around the

Mosterts' pool, in glorious weather. Both Gavin and Paddy had ample opportunity to talk to Yvonne and Eric's Zulu home help, Christine, who works five continued on page 16

An insight into South African life

continued from page 14 days a week from 7.30am to 3pm. She travels to her job by bus and train which her employer pays for. In addition to her weekly wage of NZ $130, she receives food parcels, uniforms, all her doctor's bills are paid and breakfast and lunch supplied. In addition, she attends sewing classes once a week, and is also able to do her own washing and ironing at work. Christine is fearful of some people in her own town vjbere drink is a great problem. She also locks the door when she is working. A few days after the wedding, Gavin and Paddy were driving to Kimberley with their hosts when their car sustained two punctured tyres 50 kilometres from their destination. Although they signalled for assistance, cars sped past at 120 km/hour, as stories abound of attacks on the highways. Eric always keeps a gun in his car, as do many South African residents. Finally a small truck stopped and two natives offered their help. Gavin went with them to take the

tyre to Kimberley for repair leaving Yvonne, Paudy and Eric. The Jones' stayed with an Indian family in Natal who themselves take many precautions to protect themselves, locking their bedrooms from the rest of the house at night and accompanying their guests for drives around the city for their protection. From there Gavin and Paddy travelled to a game farm which was 40 kms from the nearest small town. They also stayed on a sugar plantation, on the boundary of a Zulu reserve. Towards the end of their stay, Paddy was asked how many Maori servants she had, to which she was pleased to reply that life in New Zealand was a different one from that in South Africa. The couple returned home in time for the start of the duck season on 4th May. Both Gavin and Paddy are more than willing to discuss their trip and having been to South Africa, are surprised at the many halftruths about the country which have been released to the New Zealand media during the recent debate as to whether the All Blacks should tour later this year.

When it was announced that the All Black tour would go ahead as planned, there was an air of excitement from both the blacks and whites, according to the couple. Gavin and Paddy Jones are annoyed that people like

John Minto, who has never been to South Africa, feel they know what is going on in the country. "How they can know the answers without having visited the country surprises me," concluded Paddy.