Helen Rossell, a Year 10 student from Germany, recently attended Capricorn High School (Cappies) for three months on a mission to learn about South Africa's cultural and ethnic diversity.
The 15-year-old is participating in an exchange program in the city and has already learned some Pedi words, such as “Dumerang”. Helen has previously visited Ike Mafoto, a veteran of the African National Congress (ANC), to gather information about the apartheid regime. She was hosted by the Mafoto family in Bendor and said the warm welcome to the city, wonderful people, warm weather and delicious food such as pap and steak would extend her stay.
She explained that what appealed to her most was the country's cultural and ethnic diversity, which is why she chose to participate in the exchange program in Limpopo.
“The people at school and in the city are great, and my host family treats me like their own daughter. My host, Bonolo, is a year older than me, so we get along really well and I'm excited to bring her to Germany. I'm going to go,'' Helen explained, adding that she was surprised when Ike Mafoto started talking about things like, Germany: “He is a great old man, full of wisdom and facts.”
She will arrive in the state at the end of September and plans to learn as much as she can to share it with her family and friends in Germany. Bonolo said this is the second learner from Germany that her family has hosted. She said her first encounter didn't go well as much was still unfamiliar, but it was a learning time for her family. Ms. Bonolo emphasized that she decided to participate in the exchange program in order to eliminate the myth that whites and blacks never unite and stay under one roof. She described Helen as a down-to-earth person who was passionate about her learning, and concluded by saying she was happy to meet her “her twin sister”.
Story and photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za