Mozambique: March 2018

After my adventures at Scifest Africa I travelled on to Mozambique to spend some time in schools in the Matola area with the original Kitchen Chemistry show. I also got to have a very relaxing day sightseeing – all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!

A six hour drive from Johannesburg found me in Matola and in my accommodation. My first stop was the Hamza school in Matola. The show went down so well with the senior pupils I was asked to do another, unscheduled, show at the primary school.

A quick turn-around and we were off to the new primary school. The sun was much to hot to do the show outside without shade, and the only shaded place was quite noisy. Fortunately we were able to find a cool classroom, which just about fitted everyone that needed to be fitted.

On the second day we visited the Gateway Academy. After the show the Kitchen Chemistry was asked for photos with the diminutive part of the audience. I can only assume that the show went down well.

The next show was at PiQi international school. Despite my visit last September the school insisted that I return. Fortunately I had some of the equipment required for Kitchen Chemsitry: Seconds so I was able to ring the changes and put on a slightly different show from the original, but not completely “Seconds”.

The next day brought a problem. The transport we were using to ferry me and my equipment around Matola malfunctioned. The good news was that I had a pickup that we could use, the bad news was that even that was not best suited to the roads in the immediate vicinity of my accommodation. Nevertheless we made it to the main road and headed off to present two shows at Willow International School. After the second show I was swamped by autograph hunters – the price of fame!

On the same day we tried to fit in another performance for the Trichard School in Matola. Unfortunately it was wet and raining and the only suitable arena was outside, so we left them with a promise to ensure the Kitchen Chemist visits them on the next Mozambique tour. On my last day the final show was at the Aga Khan Academy. This is a very well appointed school that is still in development. It will be interesting to see it once it is finished.

I was not due back in Johannesburg until late on Sunday for my flight so on Saturday – with no shows – I was treated to a trip to Inhaca, an island just off the coast. We boarded a ferry, and two hours later stopped offshore. A couple of motorboats proceeded to take all the passengers off, and for the last leg one had to wade to shore. Fortunately the bottom was sandy and the sea was warm. We spent a lovely day checking out the souvenirs, sampling local delicacies and lazing on the beach.

The trip back to Johannesburg was uneventful, which is the way I like it. I found the filling station at the airport (which is non-trivial at O R Tambo) and whiled away the evening buying South African specialities for my family and enjoying a substantial meal before my night flight back to Norwich via Amsterdam.

I would like to sincerely thank my hosts without whom none of this would have been possible. They were responsible for all the liaison with schools, sorting out accommodation, and transporting me around. Thank you all very much. I hope they are willing to do it all again as I am already looking forward to my next visit.