The Breathe of Fresh Air

by Nthipeleng Makgeta (South Africa)

A leap into the unknown South Africa

The beautiful outskirts of the Eastern Cape, South Africa a breathe of fresh air with an intense history of the indigenous people of the Land. A drive to Silaka Nature Reserve has no words to comprehend its beauty, with the contentment of the lives lived here with what is labelled undeveloped yet bringing much satisfaction to those that live here. I am taken by surprise to learn that there us still such humanity and kindness in human nature. As we enter into the province with confusion of where we are headed to, the narrow roads surrounded by mountains and sugar cane farms this has to be the most beautiful place I have been to. A breathe of fresh air, with my unclear Xhosa is ask " Iphi Port St John" translating to "Where is Port St John"which is the town where Silaka is sistuated, a man with a very broad smile response with excitement at the accent I poorly posses "sisi, mele u qubeke uzo fika, kude" translating to "sister keep moving it is still far. Our drive continued for more than an hour when we stopped to get a snack at the local garage, in awe the locals looked at me like I come from another planet, it came to my realisation that the world is bigger than my cupped up semi suburb home. The people seem to not understand my language of which I took for granted that since they are "black South Africans" then I would be understood, little did I know most of them have never stepped out of this place. "Ngi qela kofi" quickly changing to their language to be understood ïkhona sisi" I got my coffee and continued on the long journey. I was more than anything enjoying the nature surrounding us. it was one I have not seen before. From the Kzn Coastal Areas we passed so many beaches I have not seen so much clean and natural water in my whole existence I was overtaken by each moment and capturing as many pictures as I can. 'this is beautiful" I said to my partner who was enjoying this as much as I did. the driving had tired him so much we had to stop several timed before we could reach our destination. We stopped for the night at Midma Dam just outside Pietermarizburg, the dam was so huge I looked at it with nothing but a grasping my breathe and pinching myself to the amazement of this place. Waking up to the fresh air and great atmosphere was the best feeling as our journey continued to Oribi Gorge. Now this place was nothing but nature in its ultimate sense, we were surrounded by water, trees and crawling animals that I got used to. Fear was not an option, I was having too much fun. This was the ultimate joy, we kept driving to our main destination. Silaka Nature Reserve, untouched nature, welcomed with so much humanity I was humbled, this place here is heaven. Silaka Nature Reserve hosts nature and nothing else, our house guest was a small monkey meaning no harm. We took our walk to the ocean, 'Wow this cannot be true" I was just taken aback, the local fishermen where just too friendly we learnt to catch a fish or two. These people's livelihood is dependant on nature and fishing. The sunset was unprecedented, it was so beautiful I could feel myself hoping for more days and time to be here and simply be. The sound of the waves as the water moves, the accent of the fishermen and the echoing sound of the money hopping up and down I surrender. Everyone was just too friendly and kind it was amazing. This place should never be changed nor touched it hosts the very essence of our heritage and belonging, our eco system is at it's best. The water was so beautiful, the trees bowed with respect to how they have been created. I learnt how to crabs and muscle are caught, cray fish and how to be the myself without reservation and holding back. I was content and at peace, this is a place is would visit over and over.