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| Here’s our adorable Louise (always the successful entrepreneur) selling her inventory of colorful Himalayan clothing at the Marlothi Easter Fair, which is comparable to a mini-state fair. I purchased two dresses to wear here at a combined cost of ZAR 200 (US $16.90). |
“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”
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| To the left (in our yard) is a hornbill. To the right is our resident francolin, who hangs out for any morsels of food. When we took this shot, the francolin took a dirt bath while the hornbill looked on in amazement. |
We’ve always enjoyed attending fairs, farmers markets and local events in any country in which we may be living in the world. To see the local people at work proudly presenting their handmade crafts, foods, and services gives us an inside peek as to who these people may be.
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| With all the visitors coming and going, we had no trouble finding a good parking spot on Oliphant Road, the main paved road in Marloth. |
In Marloth Park where the majority of citizens are white, we aren’t getting a realistic peek at the people of South Africa in general when the majority of citizens of South Africa are black as shown in the partial chart below from this site (the chart posted here is incomplete). Please click the link for more details:
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| Some visitors were able to park inside the tiny mall’s parking lot but we were content to walk from the main paved road. |
| Age group | All races | % of All | Black African | % of Blacks | Coloured | % of Col’d | White | % of Whites | Indian or other Asian | % of Asians |
| 0–14 | 16,612,043 | 30.23% | 14,244,663 | 32.21% | 1,288,601 | 26.66% | 789,492 | 17.41% | 289,285 | 21.24% |
| 15–64 | 35,465,499 | 64.53% | 28,170,797 | 63.69% | 3,299,771 | 68.28% | 3,026,475 | 66.75% | 968,649 | 71.12% |
| 65-plus | 2,879,378 | 5.24% | 1,812,535 | 4.10% | 244,544 | 5.06% | 718,041 | 15.84% | 104.068 | 7.64% |
| All ages | 54,956,920 | 100% | 44,227,995 | (100%) | 4,832,916 | (100%) | 4,534,008 | (100%) | 1,362,002 | (100%) |
| % of SA | 100% | 80.48% | 8.79% | 8.25% | 2.48% |
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| The paper plates on this booth each had listed products and prices for various items for sale. |
With only 8.25% of the country’s population white, such an event in Marloth Park gives us little cultural knowledge for the majority of the country. In its unique way, Marloth Park has become somewhat populated over the past 41 years since its inception, developing a persona of its own.
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| This colorful booth was offering honey and other homemade products. |
However, the Afrikaans speaking citizens in Marloth Park and others from a variety of countries (primarily Dutch and British), without a doubt, have a powerful cultural presence in their home country and, in this community, one we’re embracing each and every day.
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| This vendor was selling his locally made liquors. |
Of course, we’ve only been here for a short period; three months, four years ago and a mere seven weeks, so far this time. We still have a lot to learn about South Africa’s culture which we’ll share as circumstances present themselves.
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| Various styles of artwork are on display. |
With this in mind, we had a great experience at the fair. As mentioned in the above photo of Louise, I purchased two dresses from her, which I’ll wear while here and donate when we depart next March. They are too heavy for my luggage.
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| Antiques were offered in this booth. |
We didn’t partake in any of the food or drinks at the fair. Tom had eaten and wasn’t hungry and I don’t usually eat anything until later in the day. Besides, most fair-type foods seldom are appropriate for my way of eating. The smells were intoxicating!
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| The Marloth Park Honorary Rangers were represented there as well. |
As for Easter, we have no big plans today. We’ll have a nice dinner at home and will stay on the veranda as always, enjoying more of the daytime and nocturnal activities we’re blessed to continue to experience in the bush.
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| Homemade food products are always popular at these events worldwide. |
Tomorrow at 5:00 pm, we’re off to friends Kathy and Don’s river view bush home for an adult Easter egg hunt with a dinner to follow. They’ve been gone this past month, and it will be wonderful to see them both again and meet even more of their friends who’ll also be attending.
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| There were several jewelry booths. |
I offered to bring something, but Kathy insists on letting her guests be “guests'” and come for the food and activities they so masterfully plan at their lovely home.
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| Many booths consisted of locally made products using locally acquired materials. |
No doubt, we’ll reciprocate before too long and invite them to our place for dinner. As is the tradition in Marloth Park, guests bring their beverages when visiting friend’s homes, whatever those beverages happen to be.
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| Even Tupperware was represented at the fair. |
With South Africa known worldwide for its wine production, many of which I’ve tried and enjoyed, many locals drink wine. The balance tends to drink the local Castle beer (and others), which Tom seems to like. We’ve seldom seen anyone drinking other forms of alcohol, such as whiskey, vodka, gin, etc.
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| Many of the people at the fair were tourists, here over the holiday weekend. But, we encountered many locals also, primarily working the booths with services and locally made products. |
Prices for wine and beer in South Africa are very reasonable. But, alcohol, mostly imported, is pricey, often due to high VAT taxes. As of today, the VAT (value-added tax) in South Africa is rising from 14% to 15%, which is low compared to many other African countries. If interested, see this site for details on VAT in Africa.
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| From Jabula Lodge and Restaurant, Leon was serving fabulous-looking grilled beef sandwiches for only ZAR 40 (US $3.38). They were selling as fast as they could prepare them. |
We’d like to wish all of our friends/readers a very happy Easter and Passover, for those who celebrate. May your day be filled with love, compassion, and joy.
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| Pretty handmade beaded Africa animal characters. |
Photo from one year ago today, April 1, 2017:
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| Houses along with the Dobroyd Head in Sydney, Australia. Tom climbed down some steep rocks to get this shot. For more details, please click here. |