Memorable Eastern Cape

The land that birthed legends, whose names are globally recognised; Albertina Sisulu, Steve Biko, Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela. These names paved the triumphant road to the beginning of our democracy 30 years ago.

The Eastern Cape, the second largest province in the country, is known for its beautiful, unique landscapes, with endless mountains stretching along the coastline, and the occasional waterfall sighting. 

The Democracy Bus explored some of these sights during a visit to Tsitsikamma National Park in the Sarah Baartman District Municipality.

Tsitsikamma National Park

The beautiful wooden suspension bridge in the park was built in 1969 and is 77 metres long. It sits between two green woodland mountains that are on either side of a large bay that flows inland for kilometres. The bridge sits right at the mouth of the Storms River, offering picturesque views of nature's wonders. 

While on the bridge, with the waves crashing against the mountainside, it creates a memorable experience that continues to lure tourists from around the world.

“This is a privilege for me because such things were not meant for people like us but now we are able to enjoy hikes, national parks, waterfalls, suspension bridge and all. I am glad democracy has afforded us this and I hope our children will also be afforded the same if not better, “ said Lindokuhle Toyi-Bhacela who works as an assistant Liberian at the Tsitsana library and also took part in the tour of the park.

The Bus continued to Gqeberha.

Addo Elephant National Park

The Bus made several trips to Addo Elephant National Park, taking pupils from the Reuben Birin School for the Hearing Impaired on an excursion. This unique experience was generously hosted by the South African National Parks, the government entity responsible for the management of our national parks.

The Addo Elephant National Park offers the most spectacular elephant viewing in the world and boasts wildlife views that stretch for kilometres over breathtaking landscapes. It is the third largest national park in the country, and has over 600 elephants and other animals, which made for a fun, educational field trip for learners. 

The Park can be explored in vehicles to ensure protection from wildlife. 

The Bus took learners on an odyssey around the park with a tour guide on board to highlight interesting wildlife information. 

Teachers from the school displayed their passion for the job when they not only signed the information provided by the tour guide, but also translated the lyrics of the song for the learners who normally only enjoy music by listening to the drumming beat of the song. This helped them understand the lyrics and brought a unique musical experience to the Democracy Bus. 

“The trip has made history for our school because we have never been offered such a good time as this” said Zingapi Pakati, the Deputy Principal at the Reuben Birin School. 

The Democracy Bus was deployed earlier this year to explore and celebrate the milestones that government has achieved in all nine provinces during the past 30 years of democracy in South Africa. 

The Bus has not only witnessed and highlighted these milestones, but has also served another important purpose. It has assisted schools that have not had the privilege of going on excursions by transporting learners to local heritage sites. It has brought communities together to speak out about issues affecting them, and taken community members to spaces where they are able to voice their concerns to their leaders. As such, the Democracy Bus has indeed become a multipurpose vehicle of celebrating our freedom and bringing all South Africans together. ¥