Day 4 Thursday 27 August (REST DAY)

Nic Mackay and Dawn Mlotshwa with the South African Zulu Choir in an interview with Radio Australia Photo: Jonathan Harrison

This morning was a time for firsts. For a few of the boys from Durban it was their first time catching public transport in Australia, and for at least one of the hosts it was the first opportunity to use a Free early-bird train ticket. The choir sang for Ross and John on 3AW Breakfast and soon after for Radio Australia, which broadcasts internationally. The rest of the day was a time to relax for a moment and take in life as a Melbournian views it. The choir took full advantage of some free tickets offered by Village Cinemas at Crown, and enjoyed coffee by Melbourne’s iconic upside-down river while swapping stories with locals.

The remainder of the evening was spent with billeting hosts, sharing roast dinners and doing very Australian things (like watching TV and sleeping). Some very exciting things happened today, no greater achievement than developing lifelong relationships with one another; breaking down social barriers that exist between South Africans and the rest of the world, breaking down presumptions of each other’s culture - the very purpose of the trip. Understanding.