Bob Skinstad

Day 3- Hermanus adventures

Last Updated on Thursday, 25 February 2010 05:37 Written by Administrator Wednesday, 24 February 2010 21:43

Day 3 - The team wakes up to a cold and cloudy Hermanus but spirits are still high. Bob and Ron (MD: bobsforgood) decide to celebrate with a quick dip in the ocean. The boys come back with a wide-eyed expression that only a double shot of espresso or a seriously cold Benguela current could cause. Lesson learnt.

About 15 minutes outside of this famous whale town lies Lukhanyo Primary School in the heart of Zwelihle township. On our way to the school, we drive past a group of school children preparing for a drum majorette parade, thinking that someone special must be visiting soon. Minutes later we discover that we are actually the VIP guests  (well, us and the major, Theo Beylevveldt) and we soon get to enjoy the drums, singing and dancing that is on display.

The school really impresses with their attention to detail, including welcoming and thank you signs and gumboot dancers. As usual, the choir is outstanding, but with such a wide repertoire base that you start wondering where they find all the time to practice. Incredible.

The team leaves feeling impressed with the level of discipline and pride that is evident in the small school and the children wave us goodbye sporting well-deserved school shoes (not that school shoes need to be deserved mind you).

An hour later and it’s time to meet up with the mayor and his team for an informal chat about education and  the state of the nation, or at least the quiet state of Hermanus. We are grateful for his time as it turns out to be the day before a very important by election, so every minute counts.

in the afternoon we start the trek to Mossel Bay, three hours North. Along the way we get an exciting call – Geoff Brink is unicycling past, would we like to meet up at Raka wine estate? Hell yeah.

If you haven’t heard about Geoff Brink, his story is going to blow you away….

Freelance photographer, Geoff, has been cycling on a unicycle from Durban to Cape Town (a 2000 km trip) to raise funds and awareness for the anti-landmine organisation, The Sole of Africa.

Fred Hatman is supporting Geoff on the epic adventure and is documenting every kilometer at so you don’t have to miss out ….for updates go to: http://fredhatman.co.za/%u2028Twitter: http://twitter.com/The_Heartman

The team caught up with Geoff three days before the end of his epic epic adventure, so you can imagine how tired he was, both mentally and physically. Of course the team all wanted to see how tough it really is on a unicycle so many attempts were made to get up and stay up…which most did by way of a white-knuckle grip on the bakkie.

We salute Geoff for his crazy antics and hope that he raises more cash than he did eyebrows on his 2-month tour.

 

 

 

 

Day 2 – In the heart of wine country

Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 February 2010 19:09 Written by Administrator Tuesday, 23 February 2010 09:01

Day 2, Stellenbosh –  an early start for Bob who gave Maties Radio a quick interview, spreading the word to the Stellenbosch students about the 7 million children who can’t afford school shoes in SA.

In fact, you could say that awareness activities really dominated the day as the team brought as many shoes to the underprivileged as they did knowledge to the privileged members of our society.

Just a few minute away from the pristine white colonial building of the beautiful Stellenbosch lies Kayamandi township with its atypical tin shacks  and colorful spaza shops. But beneath the stereotypical exterior, we felt something quite special – a “nice vibe” as Shari our photographer put it.

At Kayamandi Primary School, the team was treated to something quite unusual – a drum and dance display. You have to remember that this is a primary school, with very young and potentially shy learners. But not here. The confidence and pride that exuded from these young learners was incredible, with a particularly passionate young girl beating that drum as if she were welcoming royalty.

The team left behind 300 school shoes and took with them a feeling of hope that, no matter how bad the circumstance, children really do always find a way to express themselves with love and joy.

Just around the corner, Ikhaya Primary were only to eager to help the team carry the 300 shoes into their principal’s office.

Led by a local community worker, Elsa Pretorius, the team headed deeper into the township to visit a home for the differently abled – Unakho. The home is supported by international backers and volunteers who were working on a vegetable garden as we arrived.

Hours later, in a very different world, the team were greeted with a welcoming sign at the gates of Somerset College - a beautiful private college just outside Somerset West.

Naturally, we were not here to do a shoe drop. This is where Bob really stepped up his awareness drive, making sure that the future decision makers of our country will have a social conscious to draw on when they make key decisions that will affect the lives of the less fortunate.

Giving back is key to the trip, which is why Bob was only to happy to give some of his time and expertise, helping coach the young rugby team before they head off for their tour to Argentina.

Another jam-packed day. 600 school shoes dropped and a little more awareness raised. We hope.