The place where the sun rises

Things were going too smoothly. For the first time since we’ve started this road trip we have a project fall off the bus. For one reason and another, our chosen project for Durban, Umcebo Trust, is unable to participate in our documentary. I am really disappointed, not only because they do excellent work which the Old Mutual Foundation has supported for the last two years, but because it would have been a visual feast for our camera team. Check out Umcebo Trust’s website.

This does however mean that we have a free morning, which is incredibly welcome. Although participating on this trip has been a real privilege, it’s physically demanding being on the go every day and working late into the evenings. Battling with internet reception, accessing emails and making phone calls to confirm each project is prepared for our visit also means that there isn't as much focused time for writing, so every free moment is grabbed.


Another reason I’m enjoying my morning is that I’m finally going to Mpumalanga (never been before). Today we’re flying to Nelspruit to tackle the last and most demanding leg of our three week road trip – starting in Mpumalanga, travelling in an anti-clockwise direction up through Limpopo and then down into Gauteng. I’m looking forward to getting back into real African bush, the land of Jock of the Bushveld, the place where the sun rises …

*The name Mpumalanga means literally “the place where the sun rises.”

The flight to Nelspruit from Durban was 50min, I hardly had time to take out my laptop, power up, write two paragraphs and then the captain was saying fasten setbelts for landing.

Tim captures Mark in a thoughtful moment.

The bustling metropolis of Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. Hot, dry and dusty; even though it's mid-winter, temperatures are above 25C each day.

Tim's Photo Gallery. Yes, you're reading correctly, these photos have been taken by Tim on his GoPro camera which is tiny but highly specialised 'special effects' camera that can fit into the palm of your hand and has an extra wide-angle lens. Because we didn't have a whole lot of project images to show for this day, we thought these would be interesting. You'll see the difference immediately, enjoy ...
 

This was taken during our drive back from Barrydale (with Tim nursing a nipped ankle courtesy of Noodles).

Beautiful Bulungula, sigh.....

Bulungula. Tim captures Mark and Phumzile Msaro (Project Manager, Essential Oils Project) going through some of the previous days photographs.

"I within an eye." Mark busy capturing the weird and wonderful bathrooms of Bulungula.

Mark calls this photo "The Claw!". Actually it leads perfectly into tomorrow's project, watch this space ...