South Africa - introduction

Our visit to South Africa came about because as the British Officer for the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women, I was offered a trip on behalf of the British Methodist Church at some point in my five year appointment. 

I had begun to correspond with one of our Mission Partners, Rev Jane Day, and was interested particularly in the leadership programme for women she had instigated and the executive agreed this could be a useful connection and learning experience.  The Methodist Women in Britain policy is for two people to travel together and so it was felt that this trip could be of benefit to Rachel Allison, our Helen Kim Memorial Scholar and she agreed to accompany me.  Jane’s husband Steve, is also a minister so Mark came too and we planned that while Rachel and I accompanied Jane and worked with her, Mark would work alongside Steve in his ministry. 

Jane and Steve live in a place called Germiston which is close to Johannesburg.  They very graciously allowed us to stay with them in their home and it was great to spend time with them and find out about their life in South Africa as well as some of the issues facing them and the nation. 

Revs Jane and Steve Day

Jane, Rachel and myself

    

Bus tour

The first day that we were there, Jane and Steve organised for us to take an open top bus tour of Johannesburg which was a great way to gain an overview of the city.  We could have hopped on and off all day but we only stopped at two places – Constitution Hill (which I will write about in another blog) and the Transnet Building to get a view of Jo’Burg from above.  Jo’Burg has several names but the one we kept hearing was ‘City of Gold’ because it developed around a gold rush in 1886. 

     

 

The Jo'Burg red bus

 

Nelson Mandela bridge

Ghandi Square

Jo'Burg sreet scene

Transnet Building - tallest building in Jo'Burg

Views from the top

        

          

  

Theatre

A highlight of our week was when Jane and Steve took us to the Joburg Theatre to see a performance of ‘The Colour Purple’.  It was great to experience not only the amazing voices and acting talents of the cast but also the wonderful way in which the audience interacted with the show – something we have never experienced before.  People were clapping, cheering, gasping, shouting ‘Amen’ and generally engaging with the plot and the characters!  It is an experience I will never forget. 

    

This is just an introduction to our trip but I will write further blogs, some on a more serious note on the Magnify – Women in Leadership course, on what I have learned about Apartheid and about Methodism in South Africa with more photos to share!