I’ve been trying to make my lockdown posts more targeted — like trying to focus on one specific topic per post, rather than rambling on about everything. But today I can’t do that. I have too many different thoughts and feelings roiling around in my brain.

The move to Lockdown Level 3 has left me feeling confused about how to make decisions and spend my time. After more than two months of basically no choices, I suddenly have so many. My head is all over the place.

The good news is now that we have a bit more freedom of movement, I can start visiting places around Joburg again and blogging about them, like I used to.

Jumbo Farmers

I started today by going to Jumbo Farmers, an independently owned grocery store in Albertville that is supplying the Melville food parcel program.

I met Ahmed, manager of Jumbo Farmers, last week when volunteers were packing the Melville food parcels at Heritage Baptist Church. Ahmed and James, a Jumbo staff member, brought two big truckloads of food for the parcels. Jumbo Farmers is selling this food to the program at rock-bottom prices and Ahmed is paying for some of it out of his own pocket.

Today I decided to go see where this food is coming from, and discovered Jumbo Farmers is only a five-minute drive from Melville.

Ahmed showed me around, introduced me to his co-workers, gave me coffee, and insisted on discounting my grocery bill.

Visiting Jumbo Farmers gave me a little more faith in humanity than I’ve had for the past few days. If you live in the area, please support this local business if you can.

Anger and #BlackOutTuesday

I’ve been feeling so angry lately. I’m angry at a person I trusted who hurt me. I’m angry at the South African police and military for their senseless killing of civilians. I’m angry at the United States of America. I’m angry at white supremacy. I’m angry at COVID-19. I’m angry at the world, which seems to have far too many assholes living in it.

Today thousands of people are using the #BlackOutTuesday hashtag on social media, in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. I’d like to write more on this topic but truthfully it’s hard to figure out what to say.

So here’s a fantastic quote that really encapsulates my feelings about racism and white supremacy.

I recommend this great article from the Root, which simply and succinctly summarizes the entire history of racial injustice in America.

I recommend Patience Zalanga, a photographer based in Minneapolis who documents the Black Lives Matter movement. Her Instagram feed includes poignant photos of the recent protests against police brutality.

I recommend this video addressing racism among young white men — made by my friend Gary’s two sons, Jake and Brody, and their friend, Troy. Jake is 21 and Troy and Brody are 19. They live outside Washington D.C.

Gary and I were colleagues about a million years ago and I still think of his sons as tiny children. Anyway their video — which they made as part of a race relations project Brody did for a college sociology class — also gives me some hope for the future of humanity. Maybe the world’s youth can do better than us older folks are doing.

Today’s Worthy Cause

Today I’m featuring Kennedy of Microadventure Tours, which I’ve blogged about more than once (see here and here).

I just found out local South African guides are permitted to conduct tours under Level 3, under strict conditions, and Kennedy has information about that up on his Facebook page.

Kennedy is also going to start offering virtual tours for those not comfortable touring in person, and you can book vouchers for future in-person tours after the lockdown ends by emailing info@microadventuretours.co.za.

Follow Microadventure Tours on Facebook (above) and Instagram for regular updates.

See you tomorrow, hopefully in a more focused frame of mind.