A white woman living in South Africa's biggest black township has enjoyed every moment of her time there.
Jackie du Preez 43, of Tladi, Soweto, says she has been living in the sprawling township for nearly 20 years.
Her first experience of the township was in 1988 when she visited the area with her father.
"He was a builder and he was working in Naledi. I immediately fell in love with the place. I met my ex-boyfriend here and I did not want to leave," Du Preez said.
She moved in with her then boyfriend, a decision which upset most of her family members. Du Preez is estranged from her family, but said her mother is now at peace with her decision.
"My father died in 1989 and life at home was not so good. The fact that I was staying in Soweto with a black man did not make things easier," she said.
Du Preez has lived in different parts of Soweto. "For the most part, I was staying in Dube and Naledi. But I have also stayed in Mofolo, Dobsonville and even Zola."
Du Preez appears to have adjusted well to life in Soweto and speaks fluent Sotho and Zulu.
"I have always made sure that I take part in the activities of my community. I don't see myself as an outsider. If there is a funeral, I go and assist like everyone else," she said.
Even township delicacies were never an issue for her.
"I grew up on a farm so I had no problem eating mogodu," she said.
Du Preez admitted that there were occasions when she was left annoyed by remarks about her race.
"It upsets me to hear people saying things like 'you are white, what are you doing in Soweto'. I don't let it affect me no more though," she said.
Her "family" in Dube, where her youngest daughter Lesedi currently stays, said they were immediately drawn to Du Preez the moment they saw her. Minkie Mofokeng, who calls herself Du Preez's mother, said since their first meeting they have become close.
"Lesedi was only three months when I first saw Jackie. She told me that she was working and needed someone to look after her daughter. I told her I would look after the baby and we became so close that Lesedi is now staying with us. Jackie is my daughter and I love her. She does not like it when people bring up her race though," she said.
selebim@sowetan.co.za
Jackie loves living ekasi
A white woman living in South Africa's biggest black township has enjoyed every moment of her time there.
Jackie du Preez 43, of Tladi, Soweto, says she has been living in the sprawling township for nearly 20 years.
Her first experience of the township was in 1988 when she visited the area with her father.
"He was a builder and he was working in Naledi. I immediately fell in love with the place. I met my ex-boyfriend here and I did not want to leave," Du Preez said.
She moved in with her then boyfriend, a decision which upset most of her family members. Du Preez is estranged from her family, but said her mother is now at peace with her decision.
"My father died in 1989 and life at home was not so good. The fact that I was staying in Soweto with a black man did not make things easier," she said.
Du Preez has lived in different parts of Soweto. "For the most part, I was staying in Dube and Naledi. But I have also stayed in Mofolo, Dobsonville and even Zola."
Du Preez appears to have adjusted well to life in Soweto and speaks fluent Sotho and Zulu.
"I have always made sure that I take part in the activities of my community. I don't see myself as an outsider. If there is a funeral, I go and assist like everyone else," she said.
Even township delicacies were never an issue for her.
"I grew up on a farm so I had no problem eating mogodu," she said.
Du Preez admitted that there were occasions when she was left annoyed by remarks about her race.
"It upsets me to hear people saying things like 'you are white, what are you doing in Soweto'. I don't let it affect me no more though," she said.
Her "family" in Dube, where her youngest daughter Lesedi currently stays, said they were immediately drawn to Du Preez the moment they saw her. Minkie Mofokeng, who calls herself Du Preez's mother, said since their first meeting they have become close.
"Lesedi was only three months when I first saw Jackie. She told me that she was working and needed someone to look after her daughter. I told her I would look after the baby and we became so close that Lesedi is now staying with us. Jackie is my daughter and I love her. She does not like it when people bring up her race though," she said.
selebim@sowetan.co.za
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