|
South Africa
Perching on the most southern tip of the African Continent, South Africa is considered to be the most socially, economically and infrastructurally developed African nation. It shares borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho (which it completely encompasses) as well as the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. As a meeting place for multiple African cultures, South Africa has 11 different official languages and was nicknamed the “Rainbow Nation” by Desmond Tutu. Another great variety that South Africa can boast is in terms of landscapes – from the vineyards of the Garden Route, to the wildlife of Kruger, the sub tropical coast and the areas of semi desert, South Africa has a great deal to offer any traveller.
Climate
In general, South Africa enjoys a subtropical climate with cooler, drier weather in the winter (June to September) with the majority of its precipitation falling in the summer. This means that winter is the best time to do the wildlife spotting! Although SA has a number of distinct climate zones, generally the weather is warmer around the coast and colder up on the central plateau due to altitude. Cape Town and its peninsula get a fairly constant buffeting from a southwesterly wind that ranges between a summer breeze and spring gales. It can get pretty cold and wet in the winter.
The Project
Please note: your itinerary may differ from this, depending on your own experience and the number of other volunteers on the placement at the same time. Please use this itinerary as an example only. Here is how a typical day in the life of a Cape Town Volunteer might take shape:
- 10:30 – 12:30 Care of the pre-school girls, assisting with meal preparation, building and renovation projects and decorating areas for the children.
- 12.30 – 13:15 Lunch
- 13:15- 17:00 Tuition and assistance with schoolwork
- 17:00 – 18:00 Free-expression periods – i.e.: Drama, dance, basic sports.
Please note: schools in South Africa start at around 8:00 and end for 6 to 9 year olds at 13:00, for the 9 – 11 year olds at 14:00 and for the secondary school children at 14:30, so the children will arrive back at the home over a staggered period, enabling you to spend quality time with all of them. You may also be asked to spend some time over a few of your weekends with the children.
Accommodation and Meals
You will spend your first 2 days and last 2 days staying in a comfortable hostel in Green Point, which is a safe area with good restaurants, bars etc. The hostel is less than 2 km’s from the city centre, Victoria and Alfred waterfront complex and the site of the new football stadium being built for 2010 World Cup. The hostel is professionally run, has two swimming pools, a bar and self-catering facilities. Your stay here will allow you to become familiar with the local area and where the places of importance are.
After your first 2 days (and orientation) you will be transferred to the project accommodation, which is with a host family in the suburb of Wynberg Bay. The house is situated close to your project with great transport links to Cape Town Centre, which is approximately 20 minutes away and 20 minutes from the local beaches. The large family home has all the modern amenities necessary, and provides the perfect place to stay that will be more than comfortable during your placement on the project.
The host family will provide all meals at your accommodation. Meals will be made from local produce, which typically consists of rice, vegetables, chicken and fish. A packed lunch will be provided for you when you are at your placement. Please inform a member of the Africa team if you have any special dietary requirements.
Getting There
You will need to fly into Cape Town International Airport in South Africa. From here, you will be met by your project representative, who will take you to your project and begin your orientation.
|
