Today, I managed to wake up earlier than usual—quite an achievement by my standards! By 9:00 a.m., I was already up and enjoying breakfast with my hostess Lesley-Ann.
At the same time, I had an appointment at SAFM, South Africa’s national radio station, where I was scheduled for an interview with talk show host Tony Lancaster. The experience was a unique one, as I shared the studio with two other guests: a local restaurant chef who brought along a delicious Stuffed Beef dish for us to taste, and a woman who has made a living winning prizes in competitions. She even wrote a book about her strategies!
After the on-air chat, Lesley-Ann and I treated ourselves to croissants and coffee on a sunny terrace at a local café. We then ventured out for some Saturday morning shopping. I’ve mentioned before how different it is here — the way everyone seems to have someone serving them, even for the simplest tasks.
Lesley-Ann shared a bit of her own story with me. After her divorce, she suddenly found herself living alone and realized she didn’t need someone else to cook or clean for her. Her home, like many others, was built with a smaller house in the back garden where the household staff lived. But instead of continuing to rely on help, Lesley-Ann decided to make a change. She told her servant she was no longer needed after the divorce, but she offered to support her son through university instead. “It’s the least I can do,” she said, noting that her own children were grown, and without this help, her servant’s son would likely never have the chance for higher education. Now, that young man stays at her house while studying at Johannesburg University.
It’s a powerful example that counters the idea that one person can’t make a difference in the world.
For dinner, Lesley-Ann prepared a delicious chicken meal with salad and potatoes. As we ate, we found ourselves discussing the phenomenon of Big Brother — the South African edition has been airing 24 hours a day on digital satellite television for the past few months. While not everyone watches it, it seems to be a constant topic of conversation.
I spent most of the day working on her office computers, uploading photos from the safari and writing reports. I know it’s important to keep you updated with interesting stories, but sometimes that means dedicating a whole day to catching up.
Tomorrow, I’ll be flying off again. Yes, another journey awaits.
Good night, Johannesburg!
Ramon
