We set out early in the morning for Zulu Country. Quite quickly the scenery began to change from built up suburbs to the lush green of the sugar cane farms. Small round houses with thatched roofs sat amongst the fields. The color of washing on the line added to the overall ambience. Children sang out a welcome as we drove past and ran down to the fence to have their photo taken. We came upon trucks and vans loaded with workers field workers in their blue uniforms. On every corner were women and children selling something. Oranges, bananas, fabric and cheap goods from China. It was like a picture postcard, I just couldn’t photograph them as we went past but the visual memory is very clear. I would love time to take a journalistic tour and just photograph the people. Ladies with babies on their backs, others walking along the road with bright fabric bundles on their heads. How do they balance those heavy loads? we drove for about 100 kms into Zulu country winding through bright green-terraced hills until we came to a museum, renown for its unique African basket museum.
A young Zulu woman took us through the museum explaining the intricate details of the weaving of the baskets and bowls. Surprisingly some are quite waterproof and serve as food storage containers. The air was cool and fresh as we walked around the compound that was once a Lutheran Mission and fort I think.
It was an interesting experience, I don’t pretend to understand just exactly how they made the bowls and baskets but I admire the artistic talent.