Rustler’s Valley (part IX): Conversations

The facilities at EarthRise Mountain Lodge are comfortable, and conducive to conversation. Indeed, several happened during our stay.

Every time we arrived at the reception, we were impressed by the warmth of those present, a warmth matched by the fireplace, a welcome attraction on cold days and cold evenings. And when people gather near a fire, conversation starts.

We gave an introduction to using the Agri Handbook. There is a local proverb, Dikgomo ke banka ya Mosotho (cattle are the bank of a Mosotho), and we smiled widely at the response of Anton Chaka, chairperson of the Naledi Village Farmers’ co-operative, to being shown the marketing and livestock auctions chapters, watched him nod as he went through the details. The introduction led to a discussion, not only on marketing but on recognising and developing existing skills in the community.

Another conversation (which we wish had been recorded) was primarily between Gino and Mike. That Gino champions local government and local development is an understatement. Because South Africa is “only a boundary”, a “compromise of 287 municipalities”, local government is where the action and potential lies, being the closest to the people. Civic groupings were drawn into government structures in 1994 and ceased to exist. We need to start again. Democracy is not just about voting every five years!

To the discussion Mike brought the value of Blockchain and cryptocurrencies, and the enormous potential they hold for people at grassroots level. [There are several videos on YouTube about this. Watch “19 industries the Blockchain will disrupt” for example, or the TED talks on the topic]. It was a fascinating conversation.

It had been an hour plus and some of us slipped out: we wanted to snap some last photographs and to catch the sunset.