Seminar One, Tuesday, May 17                   

A History of South Africa

Rivonia's Children

Kaffir Boy & Journey to Jo'burg

Long Walk to Freedom

Video: "Facing the Truth" with Bill Moyers                                                

Focus on South Africa's Educational System                               

Public and private early childhood and primary schools in South Africa.

Understanding teacher training in South Africa.

The national curriculum for language and literacy.

Begin Curriculum Planning.                                                                     

Work in groups to create a literature study

Seminar Two

Continue work on literature studies                                                 

Basic Techniques for Effective Interviews                                       

Observational and interview techniques for the Oral History Study and Literature Use Study

Travel Itinerary

Pretoria                        (arrive May 23)
Edendale Primary School
Voortrekker Monument
Visit Union Buildings in Pretoria and Museums
Pilannesburg

May 23--27

We will begin our visit in the Gauteng, place of gold (previously the province of Transvaal).   Transvaal was named by the Voortrekkers (Afrikaans/Dutch pioneers into the hinterland) because of their crossing the "Vaal" river.   Pretoria was named after the "Voortrekker" who established the town in 1837, Andries Pretorius.   It was also the first seat of the "Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek" under President Paul Kruger.   After gold and diamonds were discovered in this area, the Anglo-Boer War broke out (Britain wanted the minerals).   Pretoria is known as the "City of Jacarandas" and is the country's capital where many diverse cultures are representative within the historic buildings.   Pretoria will be our home base and we will stay with host families in groups during our time there.

The Edendale Primary School was established during 1988-1991, the "apartheid" years when there was a dire need for good education for children of all races at the lowest possible cost. It is located on ten hectares in the lovely rural area between Mamelodi, Ekhangala, and Cullinan, 30 km. out of Pretoria.   The school started as a mission farm school and has grown to one of the best schools in the Gauteng area.   We will spend several days in classroom settings at Edendale and we will bring books for the library from a Book Drive we will conduct at Skidmore prior to our trip.

The Voortrekker Monument was built in memory of the Voortrekker's suffering and courage.   It interprets the painful and controversial events at the heart of apartheid.   The amazing tapestries inside the museum trace the historical moments of the trek across rivers and the Drakensberg

The Union Buildings are home to the administrative branch of government.

(Make sure to pack lunches and snacks for school; we will stay for entire time during three days at school)

Kruger National Park (pack lunches, bring passports, early morning departure)

May 27-30

The Kruger National Park was a tremendous foresight of President Paul Kruger, who during 1898 declared the land between the Sabie and Crocodile Rivers as a sanctuary for wild life.   As Yellowstone was established in 1872 by the Americans (the first national park in the world), so was Kruger National Park the first game reserve in Africa.   The park occupies 1,948,528 hectares in Mphumalanga (formally Eastern Transvaal).   It is a place to admire 450 bird species, 50 fish varieties, 40 types of frogs, 34 snack species and many more, including the "Big Five"-the lion, rhino, elephant, hippo and buffalo.   Various antelopes, lizards, iguanas, and crocodiles also find their homes in this vast area.   Where prehistorically, man and beast fought a war of extermination, this park was man's first offer of friendship and peace.   We will spend a few days searching for game and will sleep two nights in luxury tents on the Sabie River.

Pretoria

Edendale Primary School

Soweto/Township Dinner

Lesedi

May 30-June 3

We will return to our host families in Pretoria.

We will visit the Mohau Center for children with Aids where we will see infants and toddlers.   Additionally, we will have the opportunity to visit Soweto, the township that was the center of the black African struggle, especially in education.   A cultural evening at Lesedi will give us a historical base of different tribal groups in South Africa and their traditions.

Hluhluwe

Kwazulu Natal & Lake St. Lucia

Visit a rural school

June 3-June 6

Kwazulu-Natal is one of the most popular holiday destinations.   We will see the highest mountains in South Africa and experience the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.   Lake St. Lucia is known for its crocodiles and hippos.   Many different kinds of birds are also seen in this area and we may find the lake pink with flamingos.   We will stay in Hluhluwe while in Natal and will have time to observe a rural school before departure on Monday.

Lesotho

School visit

Pony ride in the Drakenberg Mountains

June 6-8

Lesotho has always been an independent kingdom and is land locked by South Africa and inhabited by the Basutho people.   It is surrounded by the highest mountains of South Africa (Drakensberg and Maluti Mountains) and is also called the Mountain Kingdom.   We will stay in Malealea in huts at a lodge with Mick and Di Jones.   A pony trek or hike to view the San paintings in rock shelters is planned.   Opportunities to visit Basotho villagers and experience the wonderful scenery of the mountains and deep valleys will also be available.

Port Elizabeth

Storms River/Garden Route

Addo National Park

Oudshoorn in "Klein Karoo"

Visit Ostrich Farm

June 8-11

Port Elizabeth is one of the largest cities in South Africa.   The beachfront area is highly

developed.   The Garden Route is beautiful and we'll find the most inspiring scenery there.   A stop at Plettenberg Bay, South Africa's impressive beach resort, will also be on the agenda.   The Storms River mouth is located in the middle of the Tsitsikamma National Park.   This park has a spectacular coastal area with deep gorges, tidal pools, forests and great beaches.   For more than a century, Oudtshoorn has been famous for its ostriches.   Nowhere else in the world do these huge birds thrive like they do in the Little Karoo.   Farmers began raising them in Oudtshoorn around 1870 to satisfy the European demand for feathers to adorn women's hats and dresses.   We will visit Highgate Ostrich Farm and you'll have the opportunity to hold as well as stand on an ostrich egg and finally ride an ostrich if you dare!

Cape Town

Robben Island, Table Mountain, Wine Route

School visit

June 12-14

Cape Town lies at the northern end of the Cape Pennisula.   Drive fifteen minutes in any direction and you will lose yourself in the landscape of 18th century Dutch manors, historic wineries and white sand beaches backed by mountains.   Today, more than one million colored-the South Africa term used to describe people of mixed race-live in the city and give it a distinct spice.   Cape Town attracts many tourists.   The water front and cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain are very popular sites to visit.   Table Mountain is flat on the top, due to the millions of years of erosion, water, and wind effects.   Robben Island is the notorious prison in Table Bay that held apartheid opponents including Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe, and Walter Sisula.   We will spend some time visiting these sites, and will also have the opportunity to visit the Zenzele Basic Adult Education Centre for street people, as well as, a school in the township of Kyalitcha.

Departure             June 14                Arrival JFK          June 15 (7 a.m.)