I've now seen various parts of Grahamstown where COTT is situated. The town has an English feel to it,which is unsurprising since it was founded by an English chap in the 1800's. Today it's a fairly wealthy university town,also housing the 2 most expensive private schools in S.A. We spent yesterday with Titus and Kholisilie,a couple of COTT students,+walked through Rhodes University campus+also visited the Cathedral,both of which were also incredibly English. We finished the day with an evening in a bar (Olde 65) which again felt like a bar in the UK since it had loud dance/pop music playing,various sports playing on the TV's+was full of Uni students chatting,laughing+dancing. We had a good evening+arrived home about 1am!
In contrast to the wealth and students,70% of people living in Grahamstown are unemployed+within a 5minute drive from the centre you are in one of S.A.'s many 'locations'. We recently visited 1 such location,seeing firsthand the poverty present within S.A. There were 2 types of small houses here,some made of bricks,mud+corrugated iron+others made of concrete bricks. The latter are provided by the Government for those who are unemployed,however once the house is built there's no further financial support offered by the Governement making it impossible for these unemployed people to pay for water,food+other basic human necessities. Visiting this location was certainly a moving experience.
Below are photos of these houses+the locations local church
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