In Action | Interview
Taking the 430 bus from Kensington for 40 minutes into Putney puts you in the heart of the South African community in London. Hints of the neighborhood's cultural make-up are visible the second you step off the bus at the Gipsy stop.
Outside the local South African butcher stop stands a statue. The approximately 7-foot tall figure of a male butcher dressed in a red and white striped apron has his arms up in a welcoming gesture. Almost as if he is there to personally greet you into the area.
Unfortunately, once inside the shop the welcoming sense disappeared. When I asked the workers about their experiences in London and how they felt about the media's depiction of them they all ushered me off to the shop's owner. The female owner seemed distracted and uninterested in being interviewed. Ultimately, she declined to answer any of my questions.
In defeat, I boarded the 430 bus back to Kensington with one photo and no insight into the life of a Londoner from South Africa. Then I took the tube to Embankment, where I found Jumbo's. The women working there seemed eager to talk when I last visited and invited me to come back if I had any further questions.
So I went back and sure enough, the two women immediately recognized me. I told them about my experience at Snoggy's and it seemed to be like mentioning the Eagles to a Giants fan.
When asked about how the women felt British media portrayed the South African community they seem to be quite pleased with what is out there. Of course, there are stereotypes that get played up like how candid SA's can be.
"They like to say that we're brutally honest. Like bluntly and brutally honest and that we have no, as we say in South Africa, 'scome' which is we are not embarrassed." Taryn, 37, said with a laugh as her coworker noddingly agreed
Aside from that Taryn said the media mainly focuses on the politics of South Africa. for example their president Jacob Zuma. Whom the women did not seem too fond of, Taryn sarcastically described him as a great president.
Tracie,
ReplyDeleteGood for you for not giving up and going back to your original contacts. I'm glad the women at Jumbo were willing to talk. Still, you left so many unanswered questions in your post. What did they say about the butcher shop? What does the media say about Zuma and what do they really think about him? And if they are pleased with what's out there about SA in the media, what are some examples? I want to know these things. You did such a great set up, but I need more answers.