Launch Day

Launch day at last! I’m a little worried about today. There’s still a little bit of work to do this morning so we arrived early. The launch is only starting at 10h30 so we’ve still got a couple of hours to finish up.

The main task is to install the mattress screens which I don’t think will take too long, and to erect our beer crate walls. We worked to long and hard last night to leave them out so this is a big priority for me!

After about half an hour of dangerous balancing on beams I had finally got the mattress screens hanging from the top beams. Now all Guy had to do was tie them into the bottom beam and we’d be one step closer to finishing. Next was the beer crate wall- I had no idea how to tackle this task, I was tired and not in the mood for another big job, especially this close to the launch. We decided due to our time constraint that we would fix the beer crate screen into position temporarily and the come back later next week to fix permanently into position. With the muscle power of Wandile, Lawrence and Khula we eventually had the screens in position- with a few pieces of wire to hold the crates in position we had finally finished the beerhall for the launch. I let out a huge sigh of relief that it was over- my relief didn’t last however because we still had to get through the day.

The launch started off at the beerhall were the choir that Guy and Robyn had organised began to sing. Inscense was burned and a welcome address was delivered by Tseleng. I was completely overwhelmed at the turnout of people. The beerhall hasn’t been this popular since 1976! It was so great walking around bumping into people and having them tell you what a great job we had done- all that hard work was well worth it!

We spent the next hour or so moving through everyone’s individual projects. I think all the projects were well received. The dancers were pretty good and they really helped to build quite an electric atmosphere.

After the chess park was officially launched it was time for a well deserved lunch. Pap and Wors was the order of the day. No time to site around though because we had to rush back to the beerhall before everyone else arrived. We needed to do a few last minute preparations. I began organising the basketball teams for the afternoon. The teams were, representing the chess park were Ahaka and Karabo. Representing the beerhall, Khula and myself. Representing the volunteers were Wandile and Phumi. The star attraction were two semi-professional basketball players, Ayanda and Mussa. This was going to be a great competition. Khula and I were desperate to beat the chess park guys- our pride was at stake! It was a tight game with both teams wanting to win but it was Khula’s free throw in the remaining minutes of the game that clinched victory for the beerhall!
Wandile and Phumi provided a humorous but solid opposition to Ayanda and Mussa but in the end it was the professionals that took the win!

It was late in the afternoon when the basketball came to and end and it was high time I sat down with the guys and had a well deserved beer at Stan’s. Never has the company been better or the beer tasted so good. Beer bottles were lightly banged together for a job well done.

To all the volunteers- Wandile, Lawrence, Thabo and Phumi- you guys are awesome! It’s been great working with you on this project.