Week 6: Afcon, Research, Cape Town

Feb 10- The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final soccer game was held here in Johannesburg. I bought two tickets online (for 100Rand= about $11), but also spread the word that if any of my friends who work in the business world were able to get tickets (they sell the good seats to businesses), I would gladly go with them. Niki, who works in insurance, was able to score a ticket for me. I gave my tickets to two people at the guesthouse in exchange for dinner (lasagna from the Italian, Agata, and South African cuisine from the South African chef, Benedict).  We sat about 5 rows up in the center of the field. The game was between Nigeria and Burkina Faso (evidently, West Africa has soccer on lock down this year). One of the Nigerian fans was parading around our level with a painted chicken. I am not going to guess what happened to the chicken, but I will say the chicken disappeared by the start of the game.

Before the game started, they had the closing ceremony. There were singers and dancers who came out onto the field and made the continent of Africa by standing in formation.  The first set was to promote Malaria awareness with Yvonne Chaka Chaka (South Africa). Followed by African performers such as Muthoni (Kenya), Thembisile Ntaka from South Africa, Kelly Khumalo, Zonke Dikana, D’Banj from Nigeria, and the Soweto Field Band.

I realized this was the first professional soccer game I can remember going to (I may have attended a Seattle Sounders game when I was younger). The final score was Nigeria 1 and Burkina Faso 0. 

11- After the game, I had an early morning meeting with the PsyCaD department to find out more about services students are receiving on campus. PsyCaD stands for Center for Psychological Services and Career Development. I found out that once students are struggling in class, their professors can refer them for assessment. This office works with the hospital and community assessors to find out if there is a disability and then finds supports at a sliding scale or reduced cost. The department also works with students on career development. I was able to share my research in postsecondary transition with the office and gave them materials for working on self-determination skills with students prior to graduation from university. They were also able to tell me more about the writing center, health center, and technology centers at each campus. Technology can be an issue for students because when they arrive at the university, many students have never turned on a computer, let alone are familiar with email or typing.

12- I spent the morning doing one of the things I find most tedious…data input. I think I will look into “hiring” a student aid to assist me with this endeavor. That afternoon I taught a class on how to read research journal articles. The fourth year students have had almost no exposure to this skill and so I shared my work on dissecting an article and finding a researchable problem. Then, I put the 55 students in support groups based on their topics of interest:  Solutions to English Language Issues, Behavior Management Supports, Mathematics, English, Empowering Stakeholders, and Solutions to Lack of Resources. The students are expected to research the problem, come up with a solution, and write up the results…kind of like a mini-thesis.

That afternoon I went to Sandton (the upscale mall) to meet with Julieah. We planned a schedule of events for my time here: my birthday dinner, Kruger Park, Cape Town International Jazz Festival, and a tour of Soweto. While I was waiting for her, I ran into Priscilla, a girl from Gabon whom I had met at Tatiana’s wedding in Cameroon. It is a small world.

13- Niki took me to the airport…he offered before he knew I was flying out of Lanseria-the airport that is way out in the boonies. I arrived in Cape Town and was able to get my rental car fairly easily. This was my first time driving a manual car with my left hand (maybe I did this in England in 1999, but I don’t remember).

After fighting with Tom Tom about the location of my hotel, the google maps app found the hotel. I asked for a room with a view of the ocean because I missed water so much living in Joburg, so they upgraded me to a room with a view. That night I met Zuki, a fellow couchsurfer, for a drink. As per my wonderful support system, they insisted I don’t just stay with a stranger in South Africa, so I booked a hotel, met him, then stayed on his couch for the last 5 days of my time in Cape Town. He is in finance (as my brother Jeff would tell you, I have no idea what that means) and lives downtown. He seemed like a stable, kind person over drinks and before I left he gave me the keys to his apartment because he wouldn’t be home on Friday until later. This couchsurfing thing takes some trust, but it has always worked out for me…

14- I met with University of the Western Cape head of educational psychology department, a professor, and a principal at a local special school. I had asked to meet with them prior to presenting a seminar at the school. I went in with the idea of presenting on culturally responsive strategies for working with diverse learners, but I came out with a decision to share my research on culturally responsive postsecondary transition planning using self-determination. The principal is working at a special school for 14-18 year old who struggle with reading and writing (often due to behavior). The meeting gave me the opportunity to learn more about the school and the concerns of the students and staff who are working at raising reading, writing, and vocational skills before the students turn 18. I agreed to prepare a presentation on the student self-determination presentation I developed for my dissertation on Monday and to present more on supporting diverse learners on Tuesday.

 After the meeting (and driving to and from the university), I headed back for a nap. I walked along the beach at sunset and met up with a fellow couchsurfer named Marcia at a place called La Vie in Seapoint. While I was waiting for her to arrive at the restaurant/bar, I met three artists (film, acting, and muralist/designer). Once she arrived, we all fell into easy conversation. Next, we went to Long Street to a place called Zula. The Afrikan Hip Hop Night was happening. The acts included a group of 4-female singers, a few young solo rappers, spoken word artist, and DJ’s (from Portland, Oregon). 

15- On Friday, I woke up at 6am and began working on the seminar for the school. I wanted to make sure the principal approved the information and that it compliments what is being done in South Africa, specifically with his school. Four hours later, I rushed down for breakfast and requested a late checkout. By noon, I was able to email off the powerpoint and materials and I was on my way to the Cape Point area.

My first stop was a place called Boulder to see the penguins. Next, I drove down to Cape Point to the lighthouse. As I was driving around the reserve, I came across the most beautiful blue ocean water. Once I got to the trailhead for the lighthouse, I climbed up the trail to the top for the view. I decided to take the cable car back down so as to save my energy for the rest of the day. Then, I drove to the Cape of Good Hope to take some pictures and be near the waves. As I was heading back to the main road, I saw a trail head leading to a white sandy beach, so I parked and walked down. While I was down by the water, a bunch of baboons came around the beach area. People warned me they can be very aggressive and that is best not to have any food in the car (they can open car doors) and signs posted around the park warned about the dangers of baboons. I decided to see if I could wait them out…more came, so I walked very lovingly back to the car, giving the baboons the right away whenever we came close to each other on the path. I got to the car safely. While driving home, I came across a turtle crossing the road and a group of ostriches.





I was not looking at getting this close to a baboon...but he came out of nowhere.

I take this moment with me in my heart...I love the ocean!

Nope, I do not know them, but they
wanted to get in my picture, so...

By the time I got to Zuki’s, I was exhausted. I showered and fell asleep on the couch. A few hours later he came home, his friend, Khotso came home, and we went to dinner at a restaurant/club called Asoka. More people joined our table (evidently, Zuki is a bit of a celebrity- no lines, no wait for a table, and lots of friends). We ended the night on Long Street, which is a well-known street in Cape Town, kind of similar to Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

16- Zuki and his crew go to the Old Biscuit Mill, a Foodie and Farmer’s Market, every Saturday. Two of his previous couchsurfers (two American girls and their friend Rafe from New York) and Zuki’s friend/business partner, Simu, came along too.



Zuki, Ashley, Rafe, Zuki's girl, Me, and Simu