SA Rocks

Ed’s note: This is the third installment from Rich Laburn.

It was quintessential rural South Africa. The muddy roads, established Marula trees and concrete huts which had been sneezed across the Bushbuckridge lowveld. Amidst the random scatterings of the village, little boys played soccer in torn and faded Manchester United shirts whilst life carried on around them. It was a Saturday morning, yet the children were at school. The end of the year was graduation time and for the Grade 1 Class of Xalakani School (A primary school supported by the Londolozi Learning Centre and Good Work Foundation) it was an incredibly special day.

Despite the young age of the learners, an entire village had come out to celebrate the future of their community and our country. The grade 1 graduation celebration was inspirational. There was no poverty, only optimism. No scenes of starving children rather a communal feast and where the soulless processions of other academic ceremonies detract from the enjoyment, this was about color, revelry and rejoicing.

It is in South Africa, more than anywhere else in the world, that I have enjoyed and experienced the real sense of community. Here community is more than centrally located individuals, like minded people or forced relationships. Here community is based around the continual and shared enjoyment of being a part of each others lives…and expressing that enjoyment.

The ubuntu in this community is real simply owing to the myriad of genuine interactions occurring all at once. The formality of the event is completely overshadowed by the rapture of celebrating this day. The western world may have drilled the importance of seeking attention and recognition into people’s brains, yet here amongst rural South Africans, attention isn’t needed because its not actually important. Whereas some people dance alone, South Africans dance together.

There are many more children who are starting to move through the education system and develop their lives, however there are also many children who have the potential but are never empowered to use it. All of these children can be anything they want given the correct opportunities. We must never forget that boys from these small South African villages have grown up to lead this country through dramatic struggles and are currently leading it today.

This is neither a call to action nor an intended guilt trip. Much like the concrete huts, this is a scattering of lessons that I learned in abundance by opening up to new South African perspectives and experiences. More than that this is truly a realization that the various layers of South Africa, in all its complexity and diversity, is steeped in ubuntu and community.

To find out more about Londolozi and the Good Work Foundation visit http://blog.londolozi.com

Written & Filmed by: Rich Laburn
Music: Inkinga Ngu R7 – Bhekimuzi Luthuli

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Here is the next batch of tips to keep in mind when the Consumer Protection Act comes into effect in October 2010. Until then, remember that you can use the getclosure complaints management system to submit complaints about any South African supplier. All businesses have the opportunity to respond to your complaints via a discreet channel to resolve the situation.

1. When the Act comes into effect you will have the right to return goods bought as a result of direct marketing, as long as you do so within 5 business days from when the transaction or agreement was concluded or from the date that the goods were delivered to you (which ever is the later date).
2. When it comes to cancelling bookings, orders and reservations, suppliers have the right to charge a reasonable cancellation fee, so be sure to keep track of all your appointments to avoid these penalties.
3. If you order products or goods based on a sample or details in a catalogue, the goods must correspond in all material respects and characteristics with this description or sample.

Click here to read part one and part two of this series.

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