Election 2009

Today is the national election in South Africa. Over the past couple months, election posters for the many, many parties here have been plastered all over signposts, freeway overpasses, and billboards. Here's just a selection:

This one falls under the category of "would probably be prohibited in America." Loosely translated: "Too white to work?" Another poster from this same party features the simple slogan "Fight crime" under a picture of a white woman's face, fear in her eyes, with a black man's hand over her mouth.

The middle poster here is one of my favorites... because I find the horrible photo choice absolutely hilarious. I can't decide whether the man is angry, constipated, or just extremely uncomfortable. Perhaps all three.

A faded ANC poster of Jacob Zuma... these posters of Zuma are ALL over the place. The ANC victory is pretty much a foregone conclusion, whatever you might think of Zuma!

One of the local apprentices, Curtis, has posted some great thoughts leading up to the election if you're interested in learning more... check out this post especially, with links to info on the major political parties here. And I will conclude with this political cartoon that I totally stole from Curtis' blog:

Around Pangani

On more than one occasion, the numbers from the "106" in front of Pangani have been stolen. Tired of replacing them, Bryan took them down and one of the gardeners painted a crooked number 106 in their place. That simply would not do. Daleen made this awesome mosaic to cover over the painted numbers, and give us a far-less-stealable number.

One of the community cars has been in the shop for... weeks now? Not sure. Sharing two cars among 7 apprentices is a challenge, even more so when one of the two is out of commission. This afternoon, I discovered the following small plea attached to the Corsa's mileage book, complete with flower and candles...

Sunset in Sosh

New shoes on Solomon's bakkie

Emily's yard, Wholesome Bakery, Solomon's bakkie

Sunset through the fence

Sunset from the stoep

Holy Saturday

Prayer walk at Pangani

Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday, Sarah and Colletta and I visited our friend Doris' church in Soshanguve. Church in Sosh is usually an all-morning (and into the afternoon) occasion, and this past Sunday was fairly usual. We arrived at 8:30 for prayers before the service, service started at 9:30, and we got home to Pretoria a little before 2:00pm. =)

Woman walking and praying before the service started (Sarah took this one on my camera)

Sarah sharing a little about herself & NieuCommunities

Giant bags of vegetables placed at the front of the church at the end of the service. The church encourages its members to bring food and other staple items each week. Anyone in need is free to take from what is brought, for themselves as well as others in their community.