Looking To Communicate With Africans

[DyB]

I am an African American 47 years old and am trying to research some of the African cultures. For some strange reason I have a strong desire to know more about my ancestors. Having being a product of the slave trade era in America has made me want to know more about where I came from. I don't even know if I am in the right part of Africa but just to know some history of Africans is soo very important to me. It is hard to research where you come from if you are Black in America because of the way slave families were torn apart and not very good records were being kept. So come on, somebody give me some insight and maybe I could tell you something about my life now in Sacramento California. www.Dyj31@cs.com

[Ibutho]

Hi!
I am a South African and presently reside in Sacramento California! What a coincidence!
If you are interested in the South African history, I am more than willing to fill you in on that one. Unfortunately, that is the only part I can speak with authority on!
So, beam me up if that seems like something you could be interested in!
Bye, for now

[DyB]

Hi Ibutho

I am very glad to make your acquaintance. Now how in the world did you get to Sacramento, California from South Africa? I have never been out of the country except to a part of Mexico that is so near California it did not seem like I left at all. Do you have family here or back in South Africa? What do you do for a living? Well I won't scare you off with too many questions at first because my true passion is to actually find out more about your country, customs, food, and as much as I can about South Africa. Thanks so much for answering. Your very new African American friend Dy B.

[Ibutho]

Hi there dear new Friend!
I am originally a South African expartriate.
I left SA when it was still under the Apartheid regime.
I came to the US as a refugee in 1979 and went to school, NY,Ohio and then moved to CA.
I am a Social Worker downtown Sac.
I have lived in the Bay Area for the past 10 years and moved to Sac 10/98 for a job! My whole family is still in SA and I have only my son here with me from a prior marriage.
I will stop here and you can have an opportunity to ask for more specific info.
I think I have given you my history in a nutshell.
My getting here was not for pleasure, so don't feel bad about not having traveled enough.
Later!

[This message has been edited by Ibutho (edited 15 April 2000).]

[DyB]

Hi again

Sorry for being so long in answering but life calls sometimes when you don't want it to. I am on sick leave from my job at AT&T Wireless (cell phone) customer service rep. I suffer from carpal tunnel where the wrist and arms hurt from typing too much.

Well my family is originally from Memphis, Tennessee but now we are all over the United States. I have 4 grown children and 11 grandchildren. I was the 3rd child of 14 and was reared by my father who is now deceased. I have a set of twin sisters 1 year older than I am.

I took a couple to Africa history classes at Consumnes College by an African woman from Rwanda and was so surprised by the story she told of her entire family being murdered my the rival tribe in power at that time. We had to research an African country and give a pre/post colonial overview. The history of Africa was not available at the local library or the Univeristy. There was very little information once you did find something. I began trying to research on my own by talking with Africans on the internet and get all the information I can.

When Nelson Mandela came to the US I lived in Oakland and just to be near such a great person was a moment in my life I will never forget. The interview on NIGHTLINE With Ted Koppel is another memorable moment. Mandela to American Blacks, is like Dr King. On the day Dr King was killed I lived in Memphis and experienced the riots and all the destruction afterwards. We all felt that a GREAT man had been silenced yet at the same time there was a since of dispair with a tremendous loss. When I heard Mandela speak and later on saw the prison and heard his story I had the exact same felling for him as I felt for Dr King. I'm sorry to talk so much but I get excited.

I know you must miss your family and do you plan to go ever go back? In the Bay area I used to go to a flee market in Berkeley and it was just full of Africans. I always wondered why so may lived there. I have a giant map of Africa so tell me where you lived and I could look it up on my map and mark it with your name. Do most South Africans speak english, I don't know very much do I? What is a common dish maybe something you have all the time, for us growing up it was rice and oatmeal. Do you know a store where I could purchase something specifically from SA? Have you become Americanized with the music, clothes, etc?

I will let you go now, you didn't think I could talk so much. Dy B

[Ibutho]

DyB!
I am so sorry to hear about your wrist. I hope you take care of yourself and get some relief, soon. I know very little about your condition, but nevertheless know enough that it hurts and is uncomfortable.
It is a small world! I lived in the Bay Area also at the time Mandela came to Oakland! I was in San Leandro then, and moved to Albany, then to Richmond before I moved here.
Yeah, I do miss the Flea market in Berkely and used to see a lot of Africans there, including other South Africans. Have you ever heard of Zulu Spear or Amandla Poets? They are South African bands in the Bay Area.
Wow, your family sounds like it should be an African family - lots of children. There's 6 of us in my family - I have 4 sisters and 1 brother. My Mom has 13 grandsons and 1 granddaughter. My Dad passed away in 1980 and I was already here and couldn't go for the funeral because at that time I was not allowed in South Africa.
I do speak 6 other South African languages, and most South Africans speak English because it was an official language even during Apartheid.
I come fom Johannesburg (now called Gauteng), Soweto.
Our staple food is corn, meat and vegetables.
I used to go to Housewives Market in Oakland to get spices and other condiments that we use in South Africa.
You think you can talk!? Well, you have met Blabber mouth, here!
I do hope that you feel better, soon. I know how it can get when you stay home and wish you were back at work.
Keep well and keep in touch!My Dear Friend

[Ibutho]

Hi There Friend!
I am worried about you! How are you doing??? You haven't responded since I replied to your message two weeks ago!
Please write back and let me know you are okay!
Wishing you a pleasant weekend