Twinkling Stars casts light on rural living

Traditional healers, indunas, marimba music and preschoolers playing with stick wheels are classic scenes in South African townships. Thanks to a unique local initiative, anyone can have an authentic experience on the fringes of the Kruger National Park.

Twinkling Stars Community Tours, presented by the warm and knowledgeable Lodrick Manyathele, takes visitors through the sandy streets of the Somerset community just outside Hazyview.

“The purpose of these tours is to educate travellers and other South Africans about life in a township, to meet the people on the ground and to see what life is like in Somerset’s community,” said Manyathele.

“These tours also benefit the community. The money made from selling tickets to the tours gets split between the traditional healer, the induna, the family of the marimba players and, very importantly, the three preschools in the community.”

The tour kicks off with a visit to a traditional healer in Huntington Village, where guests hear what the bones have in store for them, or just to become better acquainted with their ancestors.

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“Traditional healers are an integral part of local culture,” added Skhulile Mnisi, an educator of Twinkling Stars. “There is a lot of misunderstanding about the practice, so by meeting one in person, visitors can satisfy their curiosity.”

Guests’ arrival at the next stop is anticipated with the beating of African drums and the call of a kudu shofar. Sounds from the local marimba band pour out from a kraal in Miss Mildred’s backyard which urges onlookers to join in the entrancement of an African dance. In this kraal, special requests for a truly African culinary experience are answered.

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The local induna sits in his usual consultation room – under the mango tree in his front yard – to welcome his guests as they arrive on their third stop.
“We need the permission of the local headman, or induna, for any social undertaking in the community,” explained Manyathele.

“He represents authority in the community, and in turn represents it during meetings with the royal family in the area. It is important to show guests that we have this authority’s permission to host these tours.”

This induna, Caiphus Mathebula, was elected by the community in 2014.
“I have had to make very difficult decisions about couples’ love lives and casting out community members, and I even had to try a family member,” he said. “It’s not easy to be a leader.”

The final stop of the day is probably the most significant to the community of Somerset: its preschools.

Resources are scarce for the inhabitants of Somerset, and the severe deficiency shows at Makomba Ndlela Preschool, one of three preschools that are beneficiaries of Twinkling Stars’ income.

“We are in dire need of basic necessities,” said headmaster Linneth Gumede.

“We are trying to improve playground conditions while we wait for schools to reopen, but we are heavily reliant on help from the government and donations.”

The Twinkling Stars Foundation, parent company of the community tours, are currently building two additional classrooms and a bathroom for the preschool.

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Hazyview Herald and Lowvelder agreed to publish a list of the schools’ necessities and a drop-off point for benefactors to aid Twinkling Stars. “If there is anyone who can help us with any of these things, we would be so very grateful,” said Manyathele. “Our community now needs the help of our larger South African community.”

The drop-off point in Hazyview is: 
ESP Printing
Shop No 4
Four Ways Centre
Four Way Crossing

To book a Twinkling Stars community tour, contact Lodrick Manyathele on 083-734-2963 or 064-609-5556.

Here is a list of necessities for Somerset preschools:

Angelo Pre-School:
– Personal protective gear (masks and hand sanitiser)
– Toys for ages three to five
– Classroom chairs and tables
– Classroom cupboards
– Food for pupils
– Stationery
– Toilet paper

Umhlengi Pre-school:
– Personal protective gear (masks and hand sanitiser)
– Playground equipment (swings, roundabouts, jungle gyms)
– Food for pupils
– Water storage tanks
– Building material
– Stationery
– Toilet paper

Makomba Ndlela Pre-school:
– Personal protective gear (masks and hand sanitiser)
– Water (as a village, Somerset does not receive municipal services)
– Toys for ages 0 – 5
– Stationery
– Storybooks
– Classroom furniture for children and staff
– Toilet paper