19. Durban, 1992 - Diwali

In which Eleanor's res is transformed.

The new South Africa is coming fast to a res hall near Eleanor. 

Eleanor

I step into the residence hall and am entranced. All the lights in the central quad, onto which all the res rooms open, have been turned off. Instead there are hundreds of tiny lamps: on the banisters, on the stairs, on the walkways. A soft glow suffuses the entire residence hall. It is absolutely magical, and the central quad—otherwise rather drab with its brutalist exposed brickwork and concrete—is transformed into a mystical, wonderful realm. It’s more beautiful than anything the Anglicans put on. 

With the turnover in the res hall population from almost all white students, to almost all black and Indian students, new traditions, like celebrating Diwali, have emerged. And old traditions, like the smell of stale beer and drunken Friday nights, have gone. Many of my former res hall mates wonder why I stay. They can’t seem to conceive that res life is better, not worse, with the change over. 

Res life has changed completely in my three years here. I like the new South Africa. Very much. 

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Book Club #2: The Messy Middle, with Guests

Saturday, December 7 10am ET (US) 5pm South Africa

Mandela was free. The ANC was unbanned. The parties were at the negotiating table. And we were just emerging into adulthood. It was a tumultuous time.

In our second book club, we’ll be joined by three special guests: Kate (a diplomat’s daughter), Lois (inspiration for Meredith) and Neil (inspiration for Alasdair).

Book Club #2: The messy middle | with guests