it's a BBQ; no HHAAI man; it's a BRAAI!

Since we got here it has been so dry they have been keeping rosters of who can mow a lawn on which day of the week. If your little brats forgot on your day and you decide to mow the next day; there is a hefty fine. It has been so hot, I wonder why these people do not get blacker then people from central Africa, u know, the navy looking brothers. Anyway I'm not being rude; they tell me the darker the berry the sweeter it is! he he he...

Hheyi wena, The idea was that we would gather around the warm evenings and braai some meat and then jump into the pool for a swim or whatever. God decided to water the gardens of Durham that day. I don't care if you think rain is a blessing, not when you plan on braaing: I was not a happy camper! The Young man, next to me is Robert, his braaing skills are not so sharp, this was more a Kodak moment but hell put him in the pulpit. I have seen God use people before in ways that you could never imagine, this boy is going places. God blessed us immensely through him; watch this BOY! He is a blessing.

So we gathered and started our fire on the veranda and just prayed we don't burn this wooden place down. Some of the people didn't pitch coz they thought it was cancelled; more meat an stuff for us. The young lass was the DJ for the evening, hey madoda!

At about 23H00, Chrsitoff and I were just sitting around when everyone had left and then other friends decided we must go to Chapel Hill. I finally realised there is life in Durham after all. That place was packed and $5 entrance into the club and coke and other cool drinks are free; beers cost 25cents. Students from the five or so campuses gather here. Ho ngiyakutshela wena, kuguga othandayo!

Now America is a funny place, maar hhayi suka. At 02H00, all nite clubs close so uMaBrrr no 'sizohamba ngo 7' don't work here! We then came back and of course by this time it was already hot and guess what we did. WE JUMPED IN THE POOL!!! We were in the pool until 04H00 when we finally decided to go to bed. Lord! It's nice being a student again.

Finally WIN after 20+ Games

This was the day we went to watch the football match with the bad team I told you about.

The extra guy is Dominic from Midrand SA. He is an Economics Masters Candidate and we often sit and cry together reminiscing about home. It's not always easy over here but we will make it through so long as we have God and each other!

Before and after the game.


The Team that has just broken the 20 odd games loosing streak; let us hope it's for the best! There must have been a hundred people per side and it's like a little army when they come out to play. Play is shuffle and stop like a game of rugby with a bad referee and lines man who keep telling him what to do. It went on for hours! Americans!!!


How do these boys sleep at night? The bad one is dreadlocks sorry the pic is so bad, even his friend is amused. I had to stop Afroman to check if it's real; u know me: angilali endleleni!


The band was for my old school memories. They were good!


Ah!!! The.......what You call them....

MASCOT!!! THANK YOU!

Life in Durham

Hey! It has been a while and I guess you were wondering if I was ever going to update you on life in Durham. Well for starters my computer is broken and it won't take USB's so that means I'm unable to load up some pics.

We have been to two churches since we got here and it is our idea to go around and experience the American Church scene. We went to the University Chapel and if you think the S African 'black' church is high church wait till you see these guys. Everyone is in robes including the ushers at the door. The procession is so Anglican that you really feel the depth and fear of being inside a church. Something about it is a little 'scary.' Oh of course the people dressed in their Sunday best. I'll tell you a little bit more about that later.

Then we went twice now to another African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). This was going to be the African-American experience. Well I was told this will be a mild one. This is a church steeped in history of Durham and a well to do kind of church. Now this too also extremely high church with Robes and the ushers (Men in clack suites, the one Sunday then the next was Ladies in white; all of course wearing gloves, the works!) This time anticipating it might be like the other church I had asked what must I wear. I was told it really doesn't matter, just your normal church clothes. So off I went in my 'jeans and shirt' I really have hung around white folk too much! These folk were in their Sunday best. The hats; it looked like the July Handicap and the suites. That's when I said: "yeah Sifiso you bloody 'Oreo!'" You call me that I will kill you!

In both these churches the worship has been wonderfully in line with its style. The sermons in general have been very good. People are really putting a lot in the preparation of their time of worship, which is wonderful.

Enuff, Enuff about church enuff!

Oh I may have told you, women around here think dressing if for covering only the essentially private parts. There are these skirts that can't be nigger than 5 inches that are being worn around campus. I thought I was the only one with a twisted mind but was glad when Wil commented and called them 'Big Belts.' I am st too scared to take the photos coz u don't wanna be arrested for harassment in the USA and then make headline news in SA. Lawyers would have a field day; lawyers around here must be starving coz there is an advertisement for you to sue who ever coughed and looked in your direction even! It's disgusting!!!

We went to a 'football game!' An American idea of Rugby played by overly padded men throwing a ball around yet calling it football. The Duke team is so bad no one watches them any more, but being the first game of the season; everyone came out to support and we led until half time. They have no staying power these boys; it's like Bafana Bafana! LOL!!!

The books are keeping me so busy that I actually think I am not coping just yet. I have handed in an assignment so will be able to gauge myself. This one is gonna be one of those that just can't come in the middle. It will either be very good or very bad! I sleep at 03H00 in the morning everyday and am up at about 07H30. I am gonna grow thin but my head so beeg with all the info I'm shoving into it (pun intended 2).

You may be interested in what courses I am doing: Christian Theology (Prof. J. Carter); System in Theology (Prof. G. Wainwright); New Testament Theology (Prof. Rowe) and Anglican Social Ethics (Profs. Wells and Hauerwas). Get this you all. Professor Wainwright won't be in class on Monday because he has been invited by his holiness the Pope to a 1400 anniversary of some celebration church father. This man and the Pope are on fist name basis. One sits at the feet of some great theologians over here although I think they somehow also need to come and seat at the feet of Africa to somehow learn of the 'real world.'

By now you have gathered that there is actually very little life outside of church and study going on in this little backward town. This is country side. Public transport is bad. Shops are too far and there is no life! So much so that for those who know me; I'm at it again. On Friday; I'll be throwing a party for those of us from the Southern African region to just come and chill! It's gonna be a Pool Party. You are invited!