Strandfontein – Homestay Take 2!

This write-up is written about the events that happened from February 10th – 15th
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We just spent a week in the Cape Flats; a section of Cape Town that had been designated for the Black and Coloured people during the Apartheid years. We spent the week with Coloured host families, in the town of Strandfontein.

We enjoyed the hospitality and warmth of our host families the entire week as they instantly became our adopt-a-parents in just a few short days. They opened their homes and their hearts to us and it definitely helped the students who were feeling a bit homesick to cope and recharge for the last half of the semester.

We spent the week working in three different schools (one elementary school and two high schools) in a close by town called Steenberg, often answering questions the students had about Canada, but some of us also had the opportunity to teach a few lessons and help with homework.

Two of the groups were able to partake in their schools Track and Field days. Our very own Sean Hildebrandt even placed 2nd in the high jump competition. All in all, it was a great week to hang out with the kids and learn from them just as much as they learned about us.

We ended the week with a boat ride out to Robben Island, where we toured around and visited the prison that had been used during the Apartheid to isolate political prisoners, the most famous of which was Nelson Mandela. It was amazing to see how even seemingly small things, like mail censorship and solitary confinement were used to break the spirits of prisoners. Even more amazing was how the prisoners persevered and through teaching one another with the education that a few of them had, they created what has now become known as “The University of Robben Island”. This “university” nurtured and educated many of the leaders who came to power after the fall of the Apartheid. I’m sure we all enjoyed the time and even more so enjoyed the successful avoidance of seasickness.

The history, beauty, and love of South Africa was evident throughout our week. You’ll never experience a Valentine’s party until you have Rodney MC it…that’s all I have to say.

Written by: Stephen Foord

Sean and James with one of the host families...James looks super pumped...um...actually, I'm not sure what that face looks like...

One of the classes that we worked in...they're all wearing red because it was Valentines Day