The Xeno-Philes XV: Blacks like me

South Africa can be a hard place to be black. Especially if you are a bit educated. People just don't take you at face value. They always think there is some sort of ulterior (read B.E.E) motive for what you do.

A reader once said:

Pansy, South Africa is not for you. The blacks don't like you coz you're not south african, and you make the whites confused coz you're educated."

Pansy has been met with quite a few confused looks since she moved to SA seven years ago.

Like the neighbour that saw her on her (nice) bike.

Neighbour: Nice bike

Pansy: Thanks

Neighbour: Is it yours?

Pansy said: Yes

but what she wanted to say was : Ya-ah! Do you think I stole it????

And then there was the guy at the concert. Pansy took her seat. She was there on her own. The guy was in a group of four, and he kept turning and staring at her.

Pansy to herself: (Oh no, here we go again...)

Concert guy: Hello

Pansy: Hi

Concert guy: Are you writing a review?

Pansy: No

Concert guy: Oh....(pregnant pause). So you're just here for the concert?

Pansy: Yes

Then, to Pansy's relief, the curtain went up.

I must confess, those two scenes took place in Cape Town, which is notorious for being very un-used to the concept of educated black people.

Funnily enough, Pansy has experienced similar scenes in Johannesburg, although not as widespread. I guess Joburg draws people from all over the northern provinces, especially to attend cultural events. Maybe the ones that point and stare when Pansy is on a "salt and pepper" date are from behind yonder boerwors curtain (35+kms away from Johannesburg). Well, her date, being the eternal optimist, says that maybe the people are staring because they're such a hot couple.

No matter. Music makes one forget about such things....until after the concert. Pansy had just finished chatting to the soloist when she was approached by an eccentric German lady:

Frau: Zoh! Hallo! Arrh you vun of his pyoopills?

Pansy: No, he comes to me for music coaching.

The lady was confused. Very confused.

Frau: Zoh! Za soloist, he comes to you for coaching ya? Zis is verrhy interrhesting. Do you go to za symphony concerts?

Pansy: Sometimes. Sometimes I play.

Frau: Ah! Zoh! Do you know me? I am Frau Schmidt. I am a patrrhon of za ochestrrha and za ballet.

Pansy: Oh lovely.

Frau: Ya! Come I show you my name. It is here, on za board vizz za list of patrrhons. Look, zere is my name, above Helen Suzman.

Well, it's nice to have eccentric rich grannies to support za arts! Und in za mean time, Pansy vill continue to ride her bike, go to concerts, and get stared at when she's on a date. Zat's just how it is when you're Blossom za Black Pansy in za rrhainbow nation.

p.s. the image is from www.laughitoff.co.za

p.s.s. Helen Suzman is a famous anti.apartheid human rights activist