Hello from Cape Town – for the last time!
Today was a really special day – full of emotions, sweat, sunshine, and unforgettable moments. After a big breakfast, we headed off early to Phoenix Secondary High School in Manenberg. We wanted to start this special day well-fuelled, since it was our very last one. The moment we walked through the school gates, we could feel the energy in the air – smiling faces everywhere, waving hands, warm hugs. You could tell straight away that saying goodbye was going to be hard for everyone.
We got such a big welcome – almost like little celebrities! It was amazing to see how genuinely curious and excited all the learners were, even those we hadn’t met before. During the lessons we got to experience that lively, joyful atmosphere one more time – noisy, full of laughter, energy and life. One of the most touching moments was when some of our exchange partners gave short thank-you speeches. That really hit home for us. You could feel how much passion, effort and mutual respect went into this project.
In such a short time, we’d formed such strong bonds with people who had been total strangers just days ago – and we would’ve never imagined how much this exchange would open our eyes.
When we walked through the classrooms one last time – this time seeing everything a bit differently – we noticed again how warm, open and vibrant the relationships between the learners and teachers are. There was so much laughter, chatting and, of course, lots of photos – especially of Jona, who the girls just couldn’t stay away from! You could see how proud Mr Dohmen and Ms Wolff were, and on the bus ride back, Ms Wolff even shed a few tears (and honestly – so did we).
Then it was time for the final goodbye: Goodbye, Phoenix Secondary High School – we’ll miss you, but we’re already looking forward to next year!
Back at the hostel we had just a quick change, because the next item on the programme was already waiting! Quick outfit change, fill up the water bottles, sunscreen on – and off we went to Table Mountain. The weather was perfect: bright sunshine and a gentle breeze that made us hope the climb wouldn’t be too bad.
Well... it was.
After the first twenty minutes we realised the trail was way steeper than we’d imagined. It was rocky, steep and felt never-ending – every step a little battle against gravity (and our inner laziness). We had to take lots of breaks, drank water, sweated, laughed, and kept cheering each other on with things like “Just ten more minutes!” (which, obviously, was never true).
Our backpacks got heavier, the sun got harsher, and our conversations got... shorter. After a while, all you could hear was a rhythm of “breathe, sip, keep going”.
But then, after about two hours of pure effort, we made it. And when we finally reached the top – everything was forgotten. Below us lay Cape Town, tiny and breathtaking. Everyone was exhausted but so proud. Even Ms Wolff and Mr Dohmen were glowing like they’d just conquered Mount Everest. The climb was so worth it. After a short rest we took the cable car down – which honestly felt like pure luxury at that point.
Back at the hostel there was hardly time to rest – quick shower, fresh clothes, and then, on our own request, we went back to Oranjezicht Market! After our first visit there, we just had to go again to enjoy all the amazing food – from fresh bowls and fragrant pizzas to colourful smoothies and treats from all over Europe.
Later, we gathered for one last reflection round at the hostel. We looked back on the past ten days, shared our favourite moments, laughed about funny stories, and got a bit emotional too. It was moving to hear how much each of us had learned, seen, and experienced – not just about South Africa, but about ourselves. Knowing that this shared time would be over tomorrow made us all a little sad.
Finally, we want to say a huge thank you – to Ms Wolff and Mr Dohmen, who made this exchange possible with so much dedication, patience and organisation. Without them, none of these unforgettable experiences would have happened. Thank you for guiding us, motivating us, and sometimes gently pushing us out of bed when we didn’t feel like moving!
And so our South African adventure comes to an end – with tired legs, full hearts, and memories that will stay with us forever.
