Orals - Ariyana, Arushi, Shraddha, Shaarav, Onyi and Theolan.

We have all learnt a lot about what it was like a long time ago by listening to all these children telling us about their grandparents.

Ariyana's granny went to a convent school run by nuns. She learnt many things like gardening and needlework. She loved playing netball. A fond memory of her youth was how everybody used to visit each other, she said that it doesn't happen anymore and she blames the advent of cell phones....sad but true 




Arushi told us so many interesting things about her granny. She was one of 13 children! She went to a farm school, children had to take firewood to school with them to cook their lunches - imagine that today! Like many children long ago she had to do many chores like collecting dung and firewood for fuel. Arushi says her granny is fascinated by the changes in our modern day society - I wonder how good she is on her cell phone?

Shaarav not only told us some interesting information about his grandfathers youth he brought things to show us too. We really appreciate all the extra effort that he went to. His grandfather went to a school in Stanger. He, like his friends, had to go barefoot to school. Once he was given shoes but they felt so odd that he took them off and put them in his bag. There were cleanliness inspections at school because people didnt bath everyday due to the fact there was no running water at home. 

 He told us how his grandfather made his own toys - Shaarav and his dad made a toy guitar just like his grandfather would have and even played it for us. A favourite game played by a lot of grannies and grandpas was 3 tins. Shaarav brought some cans and showed us how to play.  

This picture was take when her grandparents came
for a visit a while ago.

Shraddha's granny lives in India so she interviewed Ms Cronje instead. She told Shraddha that she went to boarding school where the teachers were very strict. Sometimes there was even snow - the children got to play in it at break!

Onyi told us about her granny who lives in Nigeria, she is in South Africa for a visit and is leaving soon. They are going to visit her at the end of the year - so exciting! Her granny went to a farm school that was two kms away. There was no such things as tuck shops so they had to take their own food to school everyday. Her favourite games were hopscotch, marbles and three tins. Where she lived there was not electricity and they had to bath in the river!



Theolans granny worked in a clothing factory and made scarves and clothes. She loved going to school, because she said that it was exciting and fun. She too had coal stoves and candles as there was no electricity.