Minotaur - a mythical creature part bull, part man.  The African Minotaur is part man, part Buffalo (one of Africa's big 5 animals). Duality. Combinations. Diversity. The mixture that is African.

 I am a white woman living in South Africa. I look European and although I have lived in South Africa all my life, many South Africans and even Europeans mistake my accent for that of a European (German, Dutch, Polish).

So am I African? Am I South African?

I believe I am. Despite all South Africa's troubles and the difficulty of trying to provide 1st world service in a 3rd world country, I love South Africa through and through. The bushveld and the vast distances make me feel free and unfettered. The ocean is clear and warm. The mountains are rich and green and blue.

I am a child of the technological age. Computers, cellphones, digital cameras and digital painting. But I am also a child of the African bush. I know the stars here. I can tell when the rain is coming or if it will hail. I can identify a lion track or that of a rhino. I have spent days walking the thorn veld alone, or swimming and diving in the sea. I have slept in our caves and seen the artworks of the San people.

I have taught in our schools and seen the joy of discovery and friendship on the faces of children from different races and religions as they build and share their lives in a myriad of languages.

This is South Africa. The true South Africa where we live and share and learn together.