33. South Africa: “The Game that Made a Nation”
8th to 14th April, 2023
We disembarked immediately in Richards Bay and flew to Johannesburg. Yair, Deb, Lim, Mihle flew from PE and a brilliant 4 days together with Will and Maya.
Re-joined our ship in Cape Town, 12th April, offloaded suitcase at home, having fortunately missed most hectic weather since South China Sea. Huge waves with some so anxious apparently, they slept two nights with life jackets on!
In Cape Town, 7th World Cruise Extravaganza theme: “Rugby – The Game that Made a Nation”. We watched three games at Green Point’s Hamilton’s rugby grounds, SA’s oldest: 7 a side, 7 minutes each half: under 10s; senior schoolgirls; under 19 boys, all from JAG foundation which arranges sport for over 1000 disadvantaged kids a week. Silversea sponsored all rugby kits, transport, lunch for them and their parents and built stands for the function that would remain as a permanent feature. Our ‘padkos’: droewors, biltong, dried fruit, nuts!
After the games a Marimba band and other musicians entertained us in a nearby Marquee. The MC spoke about how the 3 rugby World Cup Finals SA won cemented love between the countries’ different racial groups. Nelson Mandela’s Personal Assistant, Zelda le Grange, spoke about Mandela’s role in uniting the Nation through rugby.
The 5-course meal and wines were chosen from a group of previously underprivileged chefs and sommeliers. Each explained what they were making for us. Jewellery store: beaded necklaces, earrings, belts, set up for guests – inspired idea. Many bought!
Then: a Mango Groove Concert. Big hit! Guests, including us, danced energetically in front of the band. Truly amazing evening.
On board enrichment lecturer Robert Schrire pulled no punches in providing historic context to, current stark realities of and challenges facing South Africa.
Being the only guests on board that live in Cape Town, I recommended to many where to go, what to see, shops for specific items. Ray advised on Doctors for particular ailments and led a small group up Lions Head. We were proud to help showcase “our “city” and happy that all in our circle on the ship loved Cape Town.
