Town alive at ordination

THE small town of Kimberley was alive at the weekend when thousands descended on it for the ordination of Abel Gabuza as its first black Catholic bishop.

While some did not fully understand what was happening, everyone knew that something was happening in connection with "the bishop".

When asked if there were any rooms available for guests still on their way from Gauteng and who had not earlier had the foresight to book, a receptionist at a hotel answered: "We have no more rooms, sir. They will have to try elsewhere."

I asked, wondering if there was some other event taking place in town: "What is actually happening in town?"

He answered back: "I think it is this funeral of a bishop"

I promptly corrected him that it was an ordination, not a funeral.

Getting lost as you tried to locate a hotel or lodge posed no dangers on Friday night from any hijackers. The police were out in numbers patrolling the streets.

We came across an SAPS vehicle with three officers inside.

"Excuse me, constable, can you give us directions to this lodge?" we asked, giving them the name.

"Wait a few minutes here, we are trailing a certain car. We will be back," said the driver, a female constable.

Five minutes later, they were back to lead us to the gates of the lodge.