An outsiders view of South Africa
Date : 14 August 2013
Every day, since 8 September 2007, a different photograph and story has appeared on the Someone Once Told Me (SOTM) home page – meaning more than 2,000 people have taken part so far. The man behind the project, Mario Cacciottolo from London recently spent two weeks in South Africa as part of his Someone Once Told Me World Tour. As an outsider looking into life in South Africa he observed during his visit:
The winter sun shone throughout my visit to South Africa, just as brightly as the smiles of the people I met there.
In Port Elizabeth I was warmly greeted by everyone, from middle-class homeowners, to waiting staff in cafes, to those living in the harsh reality of townships. They all extended hospitality and kindness towards me, creating an irresistible pull for me to return to South Africa someday.
On the humming shop floor of the Eveready factory, the staff were focused on their work but relaxed enough to speak, telling me stories of their life experiences for my photography website Someone Once Told Me.
At the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, I met inspirational students and staff alike, who all had something about them which proved how talent added to hard work can really change lives.
In Missionvale township I met the wonderful Sister Ethel who works so hard, along with her staff, to improve the lives of the people living there via the township’s care centre. Deep in the heart of Walmer township I met beautiful, caring women, with hearts so full of love they could burst, looking after children to keep them safe in a crèche.
In Cape Town I saw an awed hush settle upon chattering tourists as they walked past Nelson Mandela’s cell on Robben Island. One South African, a game ranger on the astonishing Shamwarireserve, described Mandela as "the most famous icon of all time”.
The greatest asset any nation can have is its people, and in that respect South Africa is among the richest of them all.
While South Africa has positive and negatives it’s time to focus on the positives, an embrace our country. This is what our Eveready culture strives to achieve within our company, our community and our wonderful country.
