28May
Category: Kelly Rousey
Posted by: Kelly Rousey at
12:15 pm No Comments
The morning began with a trip to RBI, Royal Bafokeng Institute. The institute is privately funded by the King of the Bafokeng tribe who owns all of the platinum mines that supply over 75% of the world’s platinum. The institute was established to create social change through education, creating a culture of learning and investing in the children, the future of South Africa. It is this type of long-term investment in the community that is going to help transform SA, developing the knowledge and skill sets of the generations to come.
A trip to Tapologo, an HIV/Aids clinic was emotionally challenging. With an infection rate of over 20%, their communities are dealing with not only the health issues, but the social and economic issues that accompany this pandemic. The clinic is built out of handmade adobe bricks and best described as ‘rustic’. Their arsenal against HIV is limited to only five drugs (as opposed to over 20 in the U.S.) to create the antiretroviral ‘cocktail’ needed to fight the virus. They have several doctors that volunteer their time on a rotational basis and nurses make over 6,000 visits per month to dispense and administer medications. This may sound a bit bleak; however, I have never experienced a greater feeling of hope in an HIV clinic as I did today. They are able to take what limited resources they have and offer the promise of a better tomorrow. This hope is abundant in South Africa.
28May
Category: Kelly Rousey, Uncategorized
Posted by: Kelly Rousey at
11:39 am No Comments
Last Friday we had an opportunity to visit the Joberg Stock Exchange. I can’t say that I was that excited at first but I found it to be very edcational and eye opening. The JSE is about a third the size of the NYSE. It might be the smaller size that makes it easier to manage and to identify possible fraudulent activity but it could also be that they have created sensitive mechanisms and infrastructure that alert compliance officers immediately if there is an abnormal change is stock price or stock volume. They are able to research the activity and with an hour period, halt trading. This transparency and regulation has enabled them to maintain the integrity of the exchange and consumer confidence in their market, weathering the global economic downturn better than we have done in the U.S.
28May
Category: Kelly Rousey, Uncategorized
Posted by: Kelly Rousey at
11:29 am No Comments
I am pretty sure I butchered the spelling ‘Shonghoni’. The Shonghoni tribe is one of the indigineous tribes of Kruger that were relocated wehn the park was enclosed and commercialized for tourism. I had no idea that over 3000 people had to be relocated and believed that this would have caused anger and resentment.
Last week we had the opportunity to interact with this tribe and watch them perform native tribal dances. When the chief was describing his tribes’ forced move, I expected a hint of anger but heard none. Instead, I heard gratitude and pride. He had been grateful that Kruger had dbeen preserved and proud that it had become an international attraction and opportunity for him and his people to educate tourists about their customs. This is a tribal chief with a big heart. He has taken in many children, orphaned by HIV, and taught them to value and celebrate their heritage. He provides for them, making sure their needs are met and that they are getting a good education. This visit gave me a much different perspective on Kruger. Yes, it was great seeing the big 5, but even more more importantly, it was refreshing to see a man and his tribe that put anger aside and use the opportunity to educate others and improve their own lives.
14May
Category: Kelly Rousey
Posted by: Kelly Rousey at
4:19 pm 1 Comment
May 12, 2009
Wine Tour
We had the opportunity to visit two wineries in Stellenbosch and Paarl. One was the small, privately owned Nelson Creek Vineyards and the other Spier, a very large commercial winery. Jack, the business manager and our tour guide at Nelson, educated us on the wine business from a small winery perspective. What resonated most with me was their overall passion for the art of making wine and how intimately involved each employee was involved in every step of the process, from harvesting to production to marketing and distribution.
In contrast, Spier Estate is a high-volume winery that definitely has a very commercial feel, appealing to tourists with their restaurant, Moyo, curio market and cheetah encounters.
14May
Category: Kelly Rousey, Uncategorized
Posted by: Kelly Rousey at
4:18 pm No Comments
Robben Island.
As our tour bus approached the Robben Island prison, I switched my lens from a tourist to that of a prisoner being shipped in to serve a lengthy incarceration. Everything is a shade of grey, stark and cold. Our guide was Sparks, a prisoner for 6 years before his release around 1989. I was struck by his forgiving spirit. He shared stories of abuse and neglect, yet harbored no anger or bitterness. It is this spirit of reconciliation that gives hope to South Africans.
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