On to Our Final Stop: Johannesburg!

Sunday, October 10

The rear of the Victoria Falls Hotel - Very British!

Terrace dining area at the hotel; you can almost make out the

Victoria Falls bridge in the far background.

Rita wanted her picture next to the zebra we didn't buy.

Our flight back to Jo-berg wasn’t until 3:00, and we used this morning for relaxation, photos of the old colonial hotel, etc.  Upon arrival in Jo-berg, we were met by our guide, Themba, who gave us a driving tour of the sections of town that we passed on the way to the hotel, including Nelson Mandela’s current home (mansion is a more appropriate term).

Interesting facts about Jo-berg:  Started with the discovery of gold in the 1880s.  Population of the metropolitan area is more than 10 million – 20% of the total population of South Africa.  You can’t appreciate the size until you fly out after dark and see the lights from the air.  It is the business center of South Africa.  Altitude is higher than Denver.  (That was a surprise to me.)  Gold, diamonds, and other minerals are a significant source of wealth.

John Lightfoot was waiting for us when we arrived at the hotel, to take us to a warehouse in Alexandra Township for a performance by the by the “Sigiya Sonke” (Youth Stand Together) group.  This program is under the leadership of Jack Letsoela, and has been dancing for 17 years.  Jack is assisted by his wife, Beauty, and their son and daughter.  (Their son also choreographs.)  All the dancers come from seriously disadvantaged families, and all get a meal each evening after rehearsal.  This program not only teaches a useful profession (Jack said that several "graduates" of the program have gone on to professional careers), but keeps these kids off the streets, where crime and drugs abound.  Sigiya Sonke has several “angels” that help it flourish, including Jenny Prangley, and John Lightfoot and his wife, all friends of Ethne.

In 2006, this group represented South Africa in the World Hip-Hop Championships in Prague, coming away with overall second place!  I can see why.  They exhibited incredible power and enthusiasm in their dance.  It was a very enjoyable evening.  We presented the group with posters from the Louisville Ballet and Dance Kaleidoscope (the Indianapolis modern dance company), in each case signed by the dancers of that company.  The kids were thrilled.  Jack’s son, whose goal is to become a professional dancer and choreographer, was practically in tears!  It was a wonderful last evening in Africa.

Note a little classical (by Jack's son) in with the hip-hop; also note

that I'm NOT a professional videographer:

The night we were there was Jack's birthday...thus a surprise cake!

One of the dancers read a note to Jack about

what he and his program meant to them.

Jack, Beauty, and John Lightfoot

The company with signed posters from the Louisville Ballet

and Dance Kaleidoscope...they were thrilled!!!

Dance Kaleidoscope poster held by

young company members.