Dag 47 en 48: Accra

(English Translation Below)

Dag 47 en 48: Accra
 
'n Swart Land Cruiser met donker vensters stop voor die hek. Ons klim in. Polisiemotorfiets voor. Blou lig en sirene. Die oggendspitsverkeer maak voor ons oop soos 'n pad deur die Rooi See. Voet in die hoek! Ons is genooi vir ontbyt saam met die Adjunk-minister van Onderwys en Accra moet padgee.
 
Ná ontbyt neem hulle ons na 'n hoërskool om 'n praatjie te lewer oor ons reis, ons beroepe en hoe om mens se drome te verwesenlik. Die Land Cruiser ry statig die skoolterrein binne. Dis iets om te beleef! Skoolgronde wat oor akkers strek, reuse-ou bome, geboue uit die koloniale era. Perfek instand gehou. Ons is nie seker of ons met 6, 60 of 600 kinders gaan praat nie.
 
Ons hou stil. Die Adjunk-minister klim uit. Twee mans staan nader. Een is die Skoolhoof. Die ander een is die Streek-Superindendent van Onderwys. 'n Entjie verder 'n groepie joernaliste. TV kameras. Ons skud blad en word na die volgepakte skoolsaal begelei. Ten minste 'n duisend kinders. Die skoolsaal is goed uitgedink vir die omgewing se klimaat: Geen mure nie. Slegs 'n dak op kolomme, 'n vloer en 'n verhoog. Ventilasie in die hitte en geen lugversorging nodig nie.
 
Die Adjunk-minister stel ons voor. In gevleuelde taal. Die kinders klap. Ons kry elkeen 'n beurt om iets te sê oor ons ervaringe sover op ons reis, asook iets oor ons loopbane tot dusver plus enige raad of advies vir die kinders. Dan vra hulle vrae. Meestal oor hulle eie vraagstukke as dit kom by loopbaankeuses, die pad vorentoe, kruispaaie. Ons maak beurte en doen ons bes om iets van waarde aan hierdie wakker kinders te gee. Na die tyd media-onderhoude en fotos in die son. 'n Jong seun trek my aandag. Hoe werk die sielkunde van leierskap, vra hy. Sy tweelingboetie is 'n prefek en hy nie. Ons gesels 'n oomblik. Mense is mense.
 
Oppad terug hoor ek weer die skoollied weergalm: "She's the school of whom be boast, she's the glory of the Coast - Achimota!" 'n Skool groter as die individue wat daar deur is. 'n Kontinent groter as elkeen van ons.
 
Soos in Walt Whitmann se woorde: "...that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse." Wat is die vers wat ek wil bydra ná hierdie toer?
 
Môre ry ons weer verder. Oppad Ivoorkus toe. Daar is nog baie Afrika voor ons.
 
 
Day 47 and 48: Accra
 
A black Land Cruiser with tinted windows pulls up to the gate. We climb in. A Police motorcycle leads the way. Blue lights and sirens. The morning rush-hour traffic parts before us like the Red Sea. Full throttle! We've been invited for breakfast with the Deputy Minister of Education, and Accra needs to make way.
 
After breakfast, they take us to a high school to give a talk about our journey, our professions, and how to realize one's dreams. The Land Cruiser enters the school grounds. It is something to behold! School grounds sprawling over fields, ancient trees, colonial-era buildings. Impeccably maintained. We're not sure if we're going to speak to 6, 60, or 600 children.
 
We stop. The Deputy Minister steps out. Two men approach. One is the Headmaster. The other is the Regional Superintendent of Education. A bit further away, a group of journalists. TV cameras. We shake hands and are led into the packed school hall. At least a thousand children. The school hall is designed to suit the climate: No walls, just a roof on columns, a floor, and a stage. Ventilation in the heat and no need for air conditioning.
 
The Deputy Minister introduces us in much-too-flattering words. The children applaud. Each of us takes a turn to talk about our experiences so far on our journey, as well as something about our careers to date, and some advice for the children. Then they ask questions. Mostly about their own career choices, the road ahead, crossroads. We take turns and do our best to offer something of value to these bright-eyed children. Afterwards, media interviews and photos in the sun. A young boy catches my attention. How does the psychology of leadership work, he asks. His twin brother is a prefect, and he isn't. We chat for a moment. People are people.
 
On the way back, I hear the school anthem again: "She's the school of whom we boast, she's the glory of the Coast - Achimota!" A school greater than the individuals passing through it. A continent greater than each one of us.
 
As in Walt Whitman's words: "...that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse." What is the verse that I want to contribute after this trip?
 
Tomorrow we continue our journey. Heading towards the Ivory Coast. There's still a lot of Africa ahead of us.

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