Page 90 - Tributaries Catalogue

From David’s Second Reflections

“So, that was the second pilgrimage for me … I think I was

somewhat, maybe, desensitized to the experience of the

wastewater treatment works … because I make compost, a lot,
often using human manure. But I’ll spare you those messy details.
The … quandary we face hit home after the very enjoyable and

information rich trip along the Swartkops River … the river has so

much potential for … creating local jobs through eco-tourism, if we
had the right, dare I say it, political will or broader public vision to
go in that direction. [But] … the trend is more towards

technological progress, ‘quote unquote progress,’ … a ‘technology
will save us’ trope, which I think is a myth. … Part of my quandary

is, what do we do about it? Do we become more socially active …
or do we take action in our own lives? That’s the route I’ve taken

… Reclusiveness seems really attractive at times, and maybe I’m

taking that route more and more. But overall, I had a really
enjoyable second pilgrimage; maybe not as hard-hitting as the
first, because I was a bit desensitized, and hopefully the third will

be a kind of a full cycle for me, where I can look back at my
desensitization now … and re-assess my own experiences, my own

reactions to things.” (Photo: Christi van der Westhuizen.)

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