Transport in South Africa

Luckily for us South Africans the 2010 world cup is bringing a lot of long overdue changes to our basic infrastructure. The roads are much improved and public transport is being overhauled in many cities. South Africa is a great country to hire a car and hit the open road in, we drive on the left side of the road which may take some getting used to if you are used to the wrong side.

There are a few bus services that are comfortable and affordable, they link all major cites and the smaller town in between, the most popular are the Greyhound and Roadlink then there is the tourist backpacker bus that reaches slightly less mainstream destinations called the Baz Bus. The local minibus taxis, of which there are thousands on our roads are often overcrowded and poorly maintained which gives them a really bad rap. Having said that there is nothing wrong with catching these taxis provided you have a contact within the country who can suggest a particular driver and where exactly you are heading. As I am part of a volunteer organization within South Africa we are careful to select the appropriate mode of transport for our volunteers, in many cases the project is based in the heart of rural South Africa and the only means of getting there is by minibus taxi of private vehicles.

For long distance travel the train is a must, South Africans are not big on trains as a mode of transport but for you as a traveler the Shosholoza Meyl is the way to go, kick back and relax in relative comfort and seriously wonderful secenary. Check out this blog for a great discription of the trip http://moralfibre.co.za/vincenthofmann/shosholoza-meyl-train-review/

Then there are the airlines, obviously the fastest mode and there are many local airlines offering great deals on in country but if you have time on your hands then nothing beats a slow meandering road trip.

Empowerment and sustainability in South Africa

This picture shows Adam (a volunteer from the UK) and Northa (a resident in Sicambeni village) working side by side making bricks, they are using a simple machine that compacts the locally found mixture of clay, sand and reeds.

It's a great way to contribute and keep fit at the same time, as a volunteer with VSA you will definitely find yourself a part of this process.
A community is built brick by brick, person by person and if you believe in karma, energy exchange or intention, then these bricks are the foundation of a community built out of love, care and mutual respect. Every human has the basic right to shelter, take that right remove the entitlement attitude many governments install in their people and empower each individual to take an active role in the building of his/her own community buildings and you are left with a strong individual and a united community.

Action is the first step to a result.