September 3, 2002

THE opening of private homes to World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) delegates has meant some unique experiences for those delegates.

House number 1071 in Diepkloof phase 3, Soweto, housed six young Angolans, who were joined there by counterparts from Pretoria for a weekend get-together. The sounds of Angolan kwasa kwasa music pervaded the house, and the talk was in Portuguese, with a smattering of English. The atmosphere was lively and everybody was in high spirits. Amid the hubbub, Rose Nobanda, owner of the house, and her daughter attended to their visitors.

What did the delegates think of staying in this home? "Very nice," said one. "It's like we're in our own home. Good mum [Rose Nobanda], good food, family and breakfast. I think we will come back again."

The Angolan delegates have dinner at the Nobanda home in Diepkloof

Luis Velasco, 30, a biology student at Agostinho Neto University, Luanda, is part of the group representing Rede Mayombe, an environmental organisation in Angola. He is fascinated and impressed by his Soweto experience. "I wanted to live with South Africans and learn English," he says, "so I preferred to stay in a house. It has been a good experience and the people are marvellous."

The experience changed some of his preconceptions about such areas of Johannesburg. "We are used to hearing stories about killings in Soweto," says Velasco, "but when we came, we saw it is a beautiful place." Another delegate, Fernando Bueia, concurs: "We thought Soweto was a dangerous place with lots of gangsters, but we haven't seen any of that. We're okay here and have no problems."

Staying in a private home is also cheaper; Velasco and his compatriots paid R290 a day. He is also impressed by the house itself. According to him, such a house would be reserved for the rich in Angola. "South Africa is more developed than Angola," he says. "I will bring my family for a visit. I am impressed by the people of South Africa."

Lobes Deixeira, another Angolan delegate, is also impressed by the houses in Diepkloof, the most upmarket area of Soweto. The houses here are attractive and well-looked-after. "I wish I could have a house like this in Angola," he says. "Diepkloof is a nice place. I should come here for holidays. South Africa is a great place to visit -- it is more organised [than Angola]."

The young delegates are enjoying the opportunities to mix with other races, both within their host families and at the many summit activities.

Across town, in the Johannesburg suburb of Kelvin, two teenage delegates from Switzerland had a similarly enjoyable experience staying in a private home. Woyni Kahssay, 18, and Maya Dominice, 17, are delegates from the non-governmental organisation Peace Child International.

They did not know what to expect from South Africa, but they are impressed by the hospitality of their hosts, the Kgafela family. Their reception, they say, and the way they have been looked after is "amazing and breathtaking. This is something that is very rare in Geneva. We don't want to leave this place anymore. We love it so much and have made friends. It's a pity we're here for a short period."

Besides the hospitality, the Swiss delegates say they are impressed with the mix of languages and diverse culture. Letta Kgafela, owner of the house where the two are staying, says the experience with the Swiss visitors has been wonderful and they have made friends with her daughter. "These two are like my own children. They are happy here and that makes me happy as well."