February 15 Jeremy Muller, although his wife would describe as "a so-called coloured", prefers to be known simply as "a Capetonian". He escaped the Mother City to the relatively tranquil, and dusty, streets of Mariental, Namibia, some years ago.
"We don't have a tea ritual as you call it. You get Rooibos in a mug with us."
As national programme manager for the Namibia Development Trust he is involved in helping local people, often in remote settlements, set up small businesses for themselves, for instance to serve the growing tourist sector.
"Although you will notice that there is more money in Namibia than in many of the countries you've visited, the gap between the richest and the poorest is shocking. Even here in Mariental.
The one thing that would change Africa the most is if people would use their democratic rights to vote governments out that do not serve them. Why does the population vote back people like Mugabe in Zimbabwe?"
"It makes no sense to a European," I suggest.
"It makes no sense to a Capetonian either!"
Advice? "Enjoy the time you have left; don't speed down to Cape Town at 140kph, take time to look around."
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