Your Wake-up Call

2nd September 2002 - Day 5

Members of Your Wake Up Call

Went early to Sandton, morning shopping. (Shopping?! (And got loads of pressies waa ha ha) There must have been something more productive we could have done… like practice a bit more for the lunch… or read up on what was going on at the summit… or even go into Sandton Convention Centre and watch the speeches…)

This also meant that we managed to miss Blair speak 'cos we thought he was on this afternoon. We spent a while wandering round Sandton Square with Sust - lots of fun photo opportuinities - see below. Also went to the home of the UK Delegation, in the Michelangelo Hotel, where Blair is staying. Chatted to John Gummer (again), and to a high-up watery Civil Servent. Kirsti and Nick also ventured inside, challenging those within to visit our lunch (and sort out the UK's sustainablilty policy).

Kirsti and Sust on the red carpet outside Blair's hotel

It can be done? By a car company!?

After completing the morning with a trip around the BMW Greenwash stand (featuring scary acoustics), we all piled into The Santon Sun, an extremely posh hotel (that we'd gone through by chance when we got lost the other day). In a massively long line, we took a long route round to beat the security blockade. Despite what we'd been warned, the balcony was excellent, with beautiful weather and fantastic food (definately "world leader class"). With views over Joburg, (including the protest taking place outside), it was perfect - and Sust was dancing in the foyer outside… (Simon was told some time into the meal that his face was entirely green from Sust's decoration).

Sarah haranguing one of the guests

Quite a few leaderish people turned up -including...

We all had a great couple of hours chatting to the guests, and munching our way through the issues - quite a lot of discussion about farming subsidies and water privatisation - and privatisation of education, an issue close to many of our hearts. There were lots of press there - and we got coverage on the BBC and also the National South Africa News. Despite promises, Blair failed to appear - in fact, no UK government ministers made an appearance - Shame on you!

Blair failed to appear - security wouldn't let us past...

After comsuming more posh food than is possible (and stuffing the leftovers in doggy bags), we headed back to college. Soon after arriving - and pledging to sleep for a week, we heard that there was a youth meeting at NASREC - rushed there with the CAT lot in Taxis. Strange, two drivers chatting to each other continuously by radio.

The leftover papers at NASREC - hardly sust'n'able!

We met up with everyone - Woohoo! They were all very stressed after the Youth Caucus meeting had broken up in craziness. We were impressed by all that they had been up to - we love you guys! It was nice to get a Woodcraft fix. We chilled out as a group, then went our separate ways (sob, sob).