King of Ingwavuma

Loud demonstrations outside the hospital today but all very peaceful. Most of the nurses are ignoring the strike and turning up to work. This cannot be easy for them.
My main task of the day was to get us registered as the owners of our new car.

I finished the paperwork last week. I have made two previous visits to the Post Office. Once I was thwarted by a power cut; the second time I hadn’t brought along all the required documentation. Third time lucky.

The Post Office is surrounded by disused public buildings. Each of the buildings has a big sign outside indicating its purpose e.g. Ministry of Home Affairs. Most seem to have ceased to function. The Ministry of Environment is particularly derelict. Trees are growing out some of the windows. Perhaps it is fitting that it has been reclaimed by nature.

Entering the Post Office I was immediately welcomed by Nicholas. Nicholas is in charge of the National Lottery in Ingwavuma. He sits in the corner and helps customers decide whether they want to be part of the main drawer or the thunderball. Top prize is 10 million Rand (about £1 million). Nicholas also helps to make sure customers stand in the right queue. He directed me to the only open ‘window’.

It took a while to be served. Nicholas and I passed the time by discussing how we would spend our winnings were we to get lucky on the lotto. He cautioned against me looking for more wives. ‘It causes so much more trouble. So much more difficult and complicated.’ Nicholas had managed to avoid marriage entirely but did have a son. He liked my idea of trying to become King of Ingwavuma. So did the two boys who had joined us. Of course I would need the permission of King Zwelithini – the Zulu King.

Finally I began to be served. It took about an hour to complete the vehicle ownership paper work. The line grew and grew. All remained very good natured at the nuisance I was causing. Then I was asked for R350 administrative fee (about £35). Embarrassingly I did not have enough cash and my card wasn’t working. Patrick helpfully pointed out that this would not be a problem if I played the lottery.

I left promising to return tomorrow.