This is part two of a three-part post. Part One, Part Three

On Saturday, having triple-confirmed the visit, we drove out to Njijini to visit Leticia’s drop-in centre. That’s the same place Alex and I went to a month ago to do art with the children (a post about that is pending!). Leticia is on the executive committee of Hlomelikusasa and has one of the finest gardens around. Her drop-in center feeds about twenty orphans and vulnerable children; she also provides health services to elderly and HIV+ people in her area; and takes Hlomelikusasa food parcels to child-headed families. She has just finished building (with her own labour and money) a new dining room for the children to be able to sit at a table and eat (until now they have sat on the kitchen floor, which is the same of most drop-in centres.)

A sangoma singing and dancing

As we arrived, we could tell that the day was going to be very different: we were greeted by Beatrice, a village health worker from near by, rushing down the track and ululating loudly! Behind Beatrice came children, more VHWs and three sangomas – local traditional healers (some would say witch doctor, although the sangomas are more into herbalism and Xhosa culture than magic). Immediately, the sangomas were singing and dancing. Everyone came to welcome each of us individually – lots of hand shaking and asking “njani?”… it was bewildering and joyful.

We moved into Leticia’s living room – somehow about twenty-five adults found seats – and introductions were made. I was thrilled to be non-introduced, since most of the VHWs already know us. I was mentioned as “Andy, he stays with us,” meaning “lives with us.” Formalities over, we heard the stories of almost everyone there.

Boniswa (in purple), the founder of Hlomelikusasa, with sangomas

In between each story, the whole room was filled with singing and clapping. Usually this starts with the next person to speak, who launches into song as they stand up. Everyone else joins them for the second line as they make their way to the front. On two occasions the meeting was suspended as the sangomas sang and danced for a few minutes. At one point Leticia brought in a big drum to accompany them.

The new dining room / drop-in centre. It's made out of mud bricks.

After the stories, we broke for lunch (samp and beans, of course) since the children were getting restless outside. I spoke to many people and watched more singing and dancing.

I danced with the sangomas. They have soooo much energy! (I think it's the 'tea' they drink all the time)

Leticia with some of the people who benefit from her drop-in centre.

Pictures courtesy of Priscilla Higham, since Alex had our camera with her in Cape Town.