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South Africa Study Tour, 2003
22 July- 11 August
Aims
The aim of the South Africa tour was to introduce geographical educators to the contemporary geography of South Africa and encourage and enhance their teaching of geographical themes and issues in primary and secondary schools and colleges.
Leader
With his in-depth knowledge and insights gained from extensive research in the area, Dr Tony Binns planned an extensive itinerary, and was an informative and amusing group leader throughout.
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Organisation
Tony organised and planned the Tour with his South African contacts, assisted by members of the International Committee. The Tour operator was Ian Dickson Travel of Edinburgh, who once again gave us excellent service beyond ‘the call of duty’.
Our operator, driver and guide in South Africa was Fiona Masterson of Lynx thru’ Africa from Grahamstown. Fiona caught the mood of the group very well. We were also grateful to Professor Etienne Nel (Rhodes University) whose advice and help was invaluable.
A reading list and papers were distributed before the tour.
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Itinerary
The Tour itinerary included Johannesburg (brief tour), Durban, the Drakensberg (Lesotho), Transkei and Ciskei (as they were called), Grahamstown, the Garden Route and the Cape Town area (including the Winelands).
We visited townships, other areas of great poverty and development projects, which were very moving. In contrast, we stayed in the very prosperous Waterfront area of Cape Town.
A variety of local experts (many of them professors, including John Earle) enlightened us via lectures and ‘field visits’ about their local area and issues. Their support was much appreciated.
We visited Rhodes and Stellenbosch universities, and a primary school in a township.
During the Study Tour we met many GA friends, who gave us the benefit of their local knowledge about, for example, developments in education.
We stayed in a variety of hotels - depending on availability in the area, and travelled in a very full 20-seater Mercedes Sprinter.
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Highlights
We particularly enjoyed:
the visits to development projects, which were small scale but successful
the elephants at Addo
lectures and tours led by local academic experts such as Professors John Earle, Ron Davies, Brij Maharaj and Staff of Stellenbosch University Geography Department
Visits to The Nelson Mandela Museum in Umtata, Robben Island and the District 6 Museum
for one group member it was seeing 154 species of bird he had not seen before!
Evaluation Formal and informal responses indicate that this Study Tour was a great success. The group gelled well - and were still speaking to each other after three weeks in cramped travelling conditions!
‘An absolutely fantastic trip.’ (Sue Kington)
‘It was a wonderful, stimulating experience, one of the most memorable journeys we have ever undertaken.’ (Dr Derek Spooner)
We returned to the UK with the impression that there are many signs of hope in South Africa. The downside is that many of the successful projects are small-scale, and thus it will take many years to substantially address the inequalities.
Follow-up
We were very moved by some of what we saw and heard about. Members of the group are trying to make links with schools or projects to benefit both their own students and groups in South Africa.
Sarah Maude
September 2003
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