Hello 2016

With 2016 work year finally started, it is time to see what has happened at Bosasa while I was away on summer break. First things first, while down in the slow veldt, my mom gave me a hand reared year old tortoise which she wanted to release into the wild. I offered to release Shelly, a name my mom affectingly called this baby Leopard Tortoise, into the Eco Park at Mogale Business Park which already has 5 adult and 3 juvenile tortoises, one which is a fully grown Leopard Tortoise, the others I am not sure what sub species they belong to.

So the first thing I did this morning was to introduce baby Shelly to another tortoise. Hello there little one. At first the adult was nervous with me being so close but Shelly soon had him or is it her out of their shell.

Later I found out that a baby Springbok was born last week in the park and that a Blue Crane couple has laid two eggs at the edge of the park this past weekend. That will be 21 days gestation and hopefully we will see our first baby blue cranes. I was informed by the excited grounds man that the last babies born here was four years ago. I couldn’t get too close as the male Blue Crane is very protective.

Dwight and Shelly

Wow, it feels like centuries, since I last saw Dwight and Shelly, but I think it was only last year or the year before. My I am getting old while these two are looking younger than ever before. They only here for a short while then they off again but it doesn't stop me basking in their glow. Keep safe in your future endeavours and I'll keep you close in my prayers.

It’s not goodbyes but till next time

Coming to Africa has one drawback. And that drawback is that Africa gets into your blood and makes it difficult to leave. If you do manage, Africa remains coursing through your blood calling you back.

My friend Karen, from Singapore stayed here for about a year and she is quoted on her blog "Story of Bing" "It's amazing what Africa does to a person"; "South Africa has wormed its way into my heart and I didn't realise that till now" and "I'm thankful for being in Africa. What I thought would be the worst year of my life has turned out to be one of the best. South Africa, you've changed my life." Then there is another friend Heather from the States who wrote on her blog "2 Summers" "I am fiercely, head-over-heels in love with you, Jozi. I've never loved any other city like I love you. And I'm determined to stay." So you getting the idea but one more just to seal it. Through Heather I recently met Martina from the UK and she wrote on her blog "Martina in Jozi" "I've only been here for 11 weeks but I feel Joburg getting under my skin. I love this place already." And this is only three friends who know what it feels like to get Africa in your blood.

And now the sad part, today we had to say goodbye to the V family who are heading back home to the States after four years here. Knowning them they would love to stay longer but the children will be starting university soon. But it is not goodbyes because Africa is in their blood now and they will be back. Ross said it very well this morning when he shared his thoughts when he first met Dwight, Shelly, Taylor and Cierra who left a cosy life in California to be tent makers in Africa, "When I first saw the Vs I thought that they didn't know what they getting into by coming to Africa but it was us that was not ready for the Vs." And how true was that. The Vs did an awesome work in Kya Sands Informal Settlement which was one of the hotspots of the Xenophobia attacks last year. You can see some of my photos that I posted on Facebook of the Kya Sands Informal Settlement here when Dwight and Shelly took a couple of Joburg Photowalkers through.

And the people gave them a standing ovation at today's farewell. So it is not goodbye but till we see you again Dwight, Shelly, Taylor and CC.