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walk through South Africa ... I walk through South Africa with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Daily I am reminded of the tragedy of life and its beauty. Cyndi, a 22 year old girl, working at Mapusha Weavers in Acornhoek, a Black Township said, " I wake up every morning and forget about yesterday because God has given me a new day and I am so grateful for his Grace." Cyndi's eyes sparkle with laughter as she tells me how she wants to help educate her people about AIDS and help bring them out of poverty. Then there is Joseph who guards the gate of our reserve where we live. His broad smile and warm handshake that greets our arrival each time makes it worth the 24 hour plane trip just to get his greeting. On this trip he was so pleased because Seeds of Light was paying for his correspondence course so he could become an electrician, a desire he has had for a long time. On this trip we had the great fortune to be in South Africa for their elections and the innauguration of Mbeki, the President who succeeded Nelson Mandela. Eighty per cent of the electorate voted as the country celebrated its 10 years of democracy. Gary, Abby and I watched the festivities and cried, especially as the grand statesmen Nelson Mandela was helped to the podium. The country reveres him and the pride at what South Africa has achieved in its short history reminded me of what the 60's hoped for in the United States. As Abby and I spoke to the bartender at he hotel, he beamed when he learned how much we loved his country and he said, " I want you to tell eveyrone what a great country South Africa is and how we went from such pain and suffering to such hope." Hope is the operative word here, and while there are immense problems, there is a public will to solve them. A country that could have gone into civil war is healing and continues to move forward with resolve.
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