Day 12 – Amazizi

40 days ~ 40 hikes ~ Walking 4 Education

Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world’s work, and the power to appreciate life. ― Brigham Young

Another great day to escape the office and head into the outdoors. We travelled across to the Amazizi Village for our walk which began at Myendane Primary School.

Our hike followed the old dirt road along a fairly easy gradient into the Busingatha Valley to the Mukgwabane Bushman Paintings. On our way up we met an older Zulu lady who showed us her beautiful vegetable garden – lovely fresh chillies, parsley, cabbages, spinach and lettuce. The road then climbed slowly up and we over shot the paintings slightly, having to retreat a short distance, to the band of rock where the paintings are quite well hidden.

These paintings are lovely but the sandstone rock is exfoliating and in time they will probably disappear completely. It was in the 1940’s that they chizzled and blasted this cave and large pieces of the rock, with paintings, were taken to be displayed in the Royal Natal National Park Hotel for the Royal Family’s visit. I do wonder where these specimens are now?

After a lovely hot cup of tea we crossed the Singatha River and even though this is not the rainy season the river was knee deep. We then headed a little further up the newly surfaced gravel road and then took a right turn to the Samkelokuhle Pre-school. This little school is a shining example of what is possible and we were greeted by the cheerful little folk shouting “abelungu, abelungu”. Last year we were fortunate to receive a lovely donation from Denso SA and we completed a second classroom at this school. Everything is well organised, everything is lovely and clean, and the children are well nourished. Special thanks to all those you continue to support our Khanyisela Project.

An update to our progress…