Michele Schubert, George, South Africa 30 October 1998 Going back The date is set, we have the plane tickets and the crate of household goods is already in transit, we are going "home". Home? Emotions run baywire, sadness, happiness, apprehension and excitement all at once. I do feel sad to be leaving Copenhagen, a city I have grown to love these past 15 years. I know I will miss my friends, family, neighbours and colleagues. I am apprehensive about our new life in the new South Africa, in a strange town with yet unknown people. This is what we have always wanted. We have worked towards this most of our days in Denmark. Danish friends are quite used to getting a brief news bulletin on the latest from down South when they ask "hvordan gar det". Ester my daughter is eleven years old. This is her birthplace; Danish is her mother tongue. She has always known that when circumstances allow that she will move to South Africa. Her dad is already there and being reunited with him is going to be great. She is looking forward to living in the same town as her grandparents. What will her new school be like? She will have to wear a school uniform. The big day is here, the farewell party has been held. We go out for lunch with my brother and his family. Then we drive out to Gentofte to bid my dear old grandma goodbye. When we leave Brumleby, our village in the city, our home in Osterbro - there is a blur of familiar, friendly faces - smiles, hugs, kisses and greetings. The airport is another blur of friendly faces - Danes and South African comrades that are not returning yet or might not return. Ester and I are upbeat, laughing at the jokes, making light of the moment - now we just want to get on the plane. Our friends also want us to get on our way, good-byes are painful enough without dragging them out too long. We arrive in Johannesburg the following morning. Friends meet us at the airport and take us to their home. The young barefoot newspaper seller leaping between the cars at the traffic lights reminds us we're in Africa. The jobless and despondent hold up placards to passing motorists pleading for a job or a handout. They almost look out of place in this prosperous city - the enormous shopping-centers, the high-rise buildings and the lush green parks, After a bath, a chat, lunch - we meet up with more friends. Then we are back at the airport. This time a short flight to George, the town that is now going to be home. The next few months are turbulent, bombs go off in Cape Town and in Johannesburg, people are killed. Some say we were mad to have come back. I get a job, training observers for the coming elections, a hectic, exciting period follows. I get to travel all over the South Cape, meet lots of new people and relearn Afrikaans. April the 26.l. and 27.1. - the polling stations are set up, the election staff is trained and ready, the international observers have arrived. The air is electric. Long winding queues of people stand in the sun. We are doing it, we are all voting for the first time - we are on our way towards democracy. We have now been back 5 years. I would be lying if I said I returned and never looked back. I often wish I could meet an old friend for coffee, visit my granny, watch a movie on TV without adverts, enjoy a sweet, sticky piece of wienerbrod, cycle in the snow and eat fresh cherries. To name just a few things I miss. There are many things that disturb and worry me here. The danger on our roads that kill and maim so many road users, the high rate of Aids infection, the poverty, the lack of housing and the incredible challenge of upgrading the education of all our children. Let me stop here. However there are also positive aspects, many South Africans are working really hard to improve life for all, the poor often show such resilience and good humour, we have the most wonderful nature, the multiculturalism of this country, we have one of the largest selections of plant species in the world, beautiful mountain ranges and forests, a coast line that is so breathtaking and varied and the sunshine. I could go on and on. After all this is home now.