“Being a PCV is an experience unlike any other that I’ve had in my life. In that, the projection of projects that you plan sometimes do not adhere to the timeline that you imagine. And for me, it’s taken about 5 months, to begin to understand the flow of how things work in my community. ”
The best way that I can describe being a Peace Corps Volunteer is being projected out of a cannon full speed while being expected to complete college exams all at the same time. Like on college exams you never really know what to expect as a PCV but the experience goes fast just like the speed of a cannon. This month will mark 5-months at my new site, and 10-months in South Africa, and it has been nothing short of a beautiful yet, sometimes ugly, whirlwind.
My identity as a Black American has made me ponder the idea of triple consciousness, a third-space of double consciousness, where I am split into three spheres of my identity as Black, Black American and American. My processing of my experience through this triple layer has been a work in progress for me to detail into words while I’ve been living here in South Africa. I am constantly reminded of my privilege as it relates to my ability to navigate through spaces (almost) seamlessly in rural areas in comparison to white passing volunteers, and my ability to access resources in Pretoria because of my American privilege as a Peace Corps Volunteer. My semblance to the people in my community makes me relatable through my ebony complexion and natural hair but, my American heritage creates a clash in language and cultural understanding. Through all of this I am in an almost constant reflection of how people perceive me as I work in my village and travel outside of it.
Identity reflection aside…I’ve been wanting to share some points of what my life has been like since I now feel more “settled” into my life here in South Africa. These are some jottings (updates and observations) based on what I have experienced so far. Here they go!
1. I wake up to the sounds of cows, chickens, sheep, and dogs in the morning and the sight of mountainous views.
My 3-room house. Photo taken in June 2017.
2. I live in a 3-room house with electricity. I cook with a stoven (essentially 2 hot plates with an oven underneath).
3. I fetch water from a tap on my family’s compound and store it in 2-20 liter buckets that I keep in my house.
4. I bathe in a basin in my bedroom.
5. I pee in a bucket if I’m too lazy to walk to the pit latrine on my compound (which is often) or if it’s too dark to walk outside/raining.
6. I’ve used a mouse trap to kill a rat in my house (sorry Jackie). If you know me you know I FREAKED OUT. One of my brothers was so kind to remove it for me because I COULD NOT.
7. I live on a compound with a traditional Zulu family, who have welcomed me into their lives as one of their own. My host family is probably one of the biggest families in my village and the only family to practice polygamy in my community. Typically, there will be 6-10 family members staying on the compound on any given day which includes my Gogo (grandmother), brothers, sisters, sisters-in law, nieces and nephews. Umdeni wami baningi (My family is big!)!
8. I’ve attended 3 Zulu weddings, 2 pre-marital ceremonies (Lobola/Umembeso), 2 post-funeral ceremonies, and 1 funeral during my 5 months at my new site.
9. During traditional ceremonies, the family that hosts is expected to prepare enough food for all of the attendees which sometimes can be an entire community (100+ people)!
10. Cows, goats, sheep and/or chickens are often slaughtered during traditional ceremonies.
11. Greetings in South African culture are just as important as saying please and thank you in the States. It’s polite and shows respect.
12. My favorite traditional meal is bhontshisi (beans) and jeqe (steamed bread)..which I’m learning to make 😊
13. People in my community know me by the name Nobuntu. A name that was given to me by my host organization. I've found that having a traditional name has been helpful towards my process of integration in my community. *Side note: girls names will typically have a No- prefix in the beginning. If I was a boy my name would be Ubuntu, a Zulu word that means humanity and generosity or commonly “I am because we are”. From what I’ve seen all South African traditional names have a meaning behind them!
14. One of the most common questions I receive from people at home is “Sooooo, what are you actually doing??” Being a PCV is an experience unlike any other that I’ve had in my life. In that, the projection of projects that you plan sometimes do not adhere to a timeline that you imagine. And for me, it’s taken about 5 months, to begin to understand the flow of how things work in my community. With that being said, I spend a lot of my time researching opportunities for my organization (starting a book collection/library), supporting caregivers on a weekly youth club, and networking with stakeholders in my village. I hope to work more in the schools during the next term.
15. My positionality as an American Peace Corps Volunteer provides privilege and access to resources (quality healthcare, stipend to cover basic needs, travel to trainings) outside of my village.
16. I share my village with a Peace Corps Volunteer who is an English teacher. WHO IS ALSO FROM CALIFORNIA.
17. I miss my friends and family at home all of the time, especially my Mom!! Thank you for all of the letters I’ve received ❤ If you’ve written me I’ve written you back, so check your mailbox!
Photo taken in May 2017. Me posing in front of the Great Nelson Mandela.
18. I’ve taken pictures with Nelson Mandela (his statue) at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. And, I’ve visited the site where Mandela was captured before being imprisoned for 27 years in KwaZulu-Natal.
19. Ngiyakhuluma isiZulu ncane kodwa ngiyazama (I speak Zulu a little bit but I try)/ I apologize for my grammar. My family and colleagues at my organization have heard me say this many times. The language barrier is so real since I’ve been here but I’m actually trying to improve my language skills.
20. I've visited places outside of my village including Pietermaritzburg, Durban, ( I’ve seen Migos in Durban. 😉) and Pretoria.
Until next time, sala kahle (stay well)!
-Dri ❤