Entering Lesotho

I am now on my way to Lesotho in our 4X4 truck with Sibongile and Jamie, who is the founder of Clowns Without Borders South Africa. What beautiful country we are driving through. Spellbinding mountains all around. We just stopped in Bethlehem for our weeks provision and are about to cross the border of Lesotho and South Africa to enter Maseru, which is the capitol of Lesotho. We are heading to Malealea, which is a few hours further and higher up in the mountains.

In the recent change of events, I’ve learned that Jamie will only be staying with us for 5 days and then Sibongile and I will finish off the expedition by ourselves. I am the official driver of the expedition since Sibongile doesn’t have a driver’s license. Very exciting in this country where they drive on the opposite side we do and where car accidents kill more people than AIDS. I will be very careful. I drove already and things went well.

Sibongale is a local artist who works full time for Clowns Without Borders South Africa. She speaks English, Zulu and Sesotho, which has already come in very handy for us and will be primordial for the rest of our trip. She will play my white clown (the boss) and I will be the red clown (the idiot). Jamie will be the number two clown while he’s here. It’s very funny for the people here that a black woman is in charge of two white guys because of the racial issues and because many men here have multiple wives, which could say a lot about the women’s conditions and authority. We are clowns though so breaking taboos is what we like to do.

My impression of South Africa is really good so far although everyone here lives behind bars. Every door, window and property is barred up. The people constantly remind you to lock the doors of your car and to keep your windows up while driving and to always be on the alert. There are a lot of violent crimes in South Africa. I guess that’s what happens when there are huge economic class differences and a lack of general acceptance and education.

I believe that through the children things can get better though and I guess that’s why I am here.