EΦΗ ΚΑΝΑΒΟΥ ( SOUTH AFRICAN GREEKS PART 2): ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΚΟΙΝΟΤΗΤΑ ΜΠΕΝΟΝΙ ( ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙΟΥ) !

Πάτερ Μάρκος- Εκκλησία Αγ. Αθανασίου
Ελληνική Κοινότητα Μπενόνι
Γιοχάννεσμπουργκ

Ελληνική Κοινότητα του Μπενόνι (Αγίου Αθανασίου Εκκλησία) 
Η Ελληνική Κοινότητα Μπενόνι βρίσκεται στα ανατολικά του Γιοχάννεσμπουργκ και Κέμπτον Παρκ. Έχει ιδιόκτητα κτίρια που περιλαμβάνουν την Εκκλησία του Αγίου Αθανασίου, διώροφο κτίριο, όπου στεγάζονται τα Γραφεία της Κοινότητας, οι Σχολικές Αίθουσες Διδασκαλίας, Αίθουσα Τελετών Σχολικών Εορτών, μεγάλη Αίθουσα Συγκεντρώσεων και Διασκεδάσεων, πλήρως εξοπλισμένη κουζίνα, αποθήκες και άλλους βοηθητικούς χώρους.  Πρέπει να σημειωθεί ότι η όμορφη Εκκλησία της Κοινότητας έχει ανακηρυχθεί Μνημείο και αξιοθέατο της πόλεως του Μπενόνι και πολλοί είναι οι τουρίστες, που σχεδόν καθημερινά, επισκέπτονται και θαυμάζουν την Εκκλησία. Το 1937, ιδρύθηκε ο Ελληνικός Σύνδεσμος Μπενόνι από ένθερμους Έλληνες κατοίκους της περιοχής με κύριο σκοπό την ίδρυση ελληνικού σχολείου για τα παιδιά τους. Στις αρχές του 1940 χρησιμοποιούσαν μία αίθουσα σε ένα σχολείο απέναντι από το σημερινό Σχολείο, όπου διδάσκονταν τα παιδιά την ελληνική γλώσσα, ήθη και έθιμα. Μετά το Β΄ Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο, αποφάσισαν και αγόρασαν ένα παλιό σπίτι το οποίο διαμόρφωσαν σε Σχολείο. Το 1968 μετονομάστηκε σε Ελληνική Κοινότητα Μπενόνι και άρχισε η εντατική εργασία για την περαιτέρω πρόοδο της Κοινότητας, την επέκταση των κτιρίων, την ανέγερση της Εκκλησίας κ.τ.λ.

Γράφει η Εφη Καναβού,

Αγιος Αθανάσιος Κοινότητα Μπενόνι
Νοτιος Αφρική-Γιοχάννεσμπουργκ

South African Greeks in all cities in South African belong to a particular 'Koinotita' Each Greek Community has a Church, a hall and a Greek School.I grew up in the Benoni Community situated about 30km from Johannesburg. This community consists of about three hundred Greek families who take pride in serving their community the best way they can. 

St Athanasios Church in Benoni has played an important part for all Greeks living in this community. It has been the meeting place for all Greeks to celebrate their tradition, the Greek Orthodox religion and a meeting place where we all meet-young and old -to socialize.

We are a community who all know each other and love the heritage we come from. Every year on the 18th January we celebrate St Athanasios with a 'Panigiri.' 

On the 26 October 2014, on the Holy Day of St Dimitrios...I had the pleasure to have interviewed a few people who are actively involved in the church and the Benoni Community.

 I had the pleasure and privelege of interviewing my childhood friend -who also happens to be our priest at St Athanasios …Archimandritis, Pater Marko Theodosi! Pater Marko- grew up in Benoni, attended Greek school with me and loved this community so much that he decided to return after his studies in Greece to preach at St Athanasios and be part of a community he loved and cared for. 

I also had the the privelege of interviewing, Pater Sotiris Mavrikis…a retired priest- who has been part of the Germiston Community for over 35 years. He originates from Kalamata and was very eager to share a few words of wisdom… a few things about himself …his children and his love for Greece.

Χαρούλα & Αλέξανδρος και Μιχάλης
Ελληνική Κοινότητα Μπενόνι
Νότιος Αφρική- Γιοχάννεσμπουργκ

Lastly, I interviewed Kur. Haroulla Theodosi, a Greek teacher who grew up in Benoni and continues to serve her community as a Greek dancing teacher every week in Benoni. I also spoke to two youths, Alexandros and Michalis Samuela Salamon Kogiou who live in Benoni and clearly love being of Greek heritage.  
I would like to dedicate this article to my Theio Δημήτρη Αδαμόπουλο ,(XΡΟΝΙΑ ΠΟΛΛΑ, ΘΕΙΕ!! )Theia Fofo and their children Stavros and Theodora who now reside in Kyparrisia and are from Sella.  They once lived here in Benoni for a couple of years before they returned to Greece. This will definitely bring back good memories for them!!

Η κυρία Εφη Καναβού κατέγραψε δύο εξαιρετικές συνεντεύξεις με τους παράγοντες της εκκλησίας καθώς και με Έλληνες της διασποράς στην κοινότητα Μπενόνι για το ΣΕΛΛΑ ΜΕΣΣΗΝΙΑΣ ΒLOG NEWS-NEMESIS, τις οποίες μπορείτε να ακούσετε και να δείτε στα παρακάτω βίντεο.

...................................................................................................................................................................

1ο Βίντεο - Εφη Καναβού με τον Πατερ Σωτήρη, αλλά και με την Χαρούλα, τον Αλέξανδρο και τον Μιχάλη, σε μια πολύ ενδιαφέρουσα συζήτηση!

2o Βίντεο - Εφη Καναβού με τον Πάτερ Μάρκο, σε ένα τετ τα τετ, εφ' όλης της ύλης !

By: Efh Kanavou

EΦH KANABOY
  ( ΚΑΘΗΓΗΤΡΙΑ ΣΤO JOHANNESBURG
SOUTH AFRICA)
MEΛΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΜΑΔΑΣ
ΣΕΛΛΑ ΜΕΣΣΗΝΙΑΣ BLOG NEWS

Της Έφης Καναβού για το ΣΕΛΛΑ ΜΕΣΣΗΝΙΑΣ BLOG NEWS 

ΕΦΗ ΚΑΝΑΒΟΥ: SOUTH AFRICAN GREEKS (Part 1)'MY INTERVIEW WITH GEORGIOS KANAVOS (Junior)' !!!

A Photograph  depicts Father and Son!

I decided to write and interview  ordinary people (South African Hellenes) who have made a huge impact in South Africa and at the same time love a country they long for, Greece! In the first part of this journey I would like to introduce Greece-Sellas to a wonderful proud young Hellene, Georgios Kanavos. Georgios was born on the 8 January 1985 to an African Mother and Father. Unfortunately due to his biological mother's very young age she was not able to look after him.

 

He was sent as a baby to live with his grandmother who was working for a Greek Family in 1986. Not long after Georgios arrival, this Greek family, Georgios and Christina Kanavos decided that they would adopt and love this little boy.

 

Georgios was adored and loved by his new family with all their heart. His two sisters Efh and Tzenh Kanavou played an important part in his upbringing too.

 

Georgios attended Greek Church every Sunday, went to Greek school and was brought up to love and be proud to be a Hellene, a Pelloponesian Hellene.

 

Georgios excelled at school and when he completed high school he decided he wanted to go to Greece to serve his country in the army.

 

To his disappointment his mother, Christina, a typical Greek mother who worried about her children -felt that Georgios should rather complete his studies and then decide if he still had the need to go to the Greek army.

 

Georgios followed his passion of the Arts(Film making) and studied Media production.

 

He has been successful in producing two major productions for Television in South Africa, where he gained National recognition. His short films were called "Tree House" and  "Debt".

Georgios' Dream is to produce a movie about his father, Georgios Kanavos (Senior) who left Greece at the age of 14, facing many difficulties- but with determination and hard work was able to make a life for his family in South Africa and at the same time never forgetting his beloved Greece.

Georgios love for being Greek and loving Greece is also depicted in a Clip (interview) I was privileged to have with him. This short Clip has been attached at the end of this article! I am so proud and honoured to be blessed with a brother like Georgios… 

I would like to end by saying, that as a Hellenic Community in South Africa ,which is around 50 thousand Greek South Africans at the moment-We are PROUD of our heritage.

 

'PERIFANI' to come from a country like Greece and we know Greece will overcome every obstacle it faces at the present moment!

Στο παρακάτω βίντεο μπορείτε να δείτε και να ακούσετε, αυτή την υπέροχη συνέντευξη της κυρίας 'Εφης Καναβού  με τον Γιώργο Καναβό, που γράφτηκε τις προηγούμενες ημέρες στο JOHANNESBURG της Νότιας Αφρικής, για το ΣΕΛΛΑ ΜΕΣΣΗΝΙΑΣ BLOG NEWS-NEMESIS

Μπορείτε να δείτε το παρακάτω βίντεο, πατώντας το Play, αλλά πρώτα να πατήσετε Pause στο LiveStream πάνω δεξιά του Blog, με τίτλο ( ΧΡΗΣΙΜΑ ΝΕΑ ΤΡΙΦΥΛΙΑΣ
 

 

Της Έφης Καναβού για το ΣΕΛΛΑ ΜΕΣΣΗΝΙΑΣ BLOG NEWS

 

EΦH KANABOY
  ( ΚΑΘΗΓΗΤΡΙΑ ΣΤO JOHANNESBURG
SOUTH AFRICA)
MEΛΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΜΑΔΑΣ
ΣΕΛΛΑ ΜΕΣΣΗΝΙΑΣ BLOG NEWS

 

ΕΥΣΤΑΘΙΑ ΚΑΝΑΒΟΥ (Ν. ΑΦΡΙΚΗ- JOHANNESBURG): APPRECIATING AND WORKING TOWARDS OUR HERITAGE !

ΕΥΣΤΑΘΙΑ ΚΑΝΑΒΟΥ-SOUTH AFRICAJOHANNESBURG!

Appreciating and working towards our Heritage...On the 24th September, South Africa celebrated 'Heritage Day'.  People in their millions proudly wore their traditional outfits from all eleven African Ethnic groups. White South Africans came together by celebrating in song and having one of their  traditional "Braais"( a South African Barbeque). Even if it was only for one day... all cultures came together to pay tribute to their background, the villages they came from and the language they love.

 

Having watched a couple of Youtube Clips so beautifully filmed by my friend,Vassilios Argyropoulos on the 'Prospathies and Erga' to make Sella a place of  interest, where people from all over Greece and abroad will take note of and visit more often…it made me think!

 

WHY…is it mainly, the locals... who happen to be... men and woman... who have already reached the age of Sixty plus who seem to be, the only ones taking time and effort... to improve this beautiful Village, Sella (of course with the exception of my friend Vassilis).

 

WHERE…..is the younger generation? Those in their Thirties…their Forties, who have their roots based in this picturesque village.

 

Why are they not showing the interest this beautiful village, Sella deserves?

 

Sella, is one of the most beautiful places I have visited…It's natural beauty is breathtaking…The Erkodikos Potamos that runs through…Neromylos…the hills …the valleys…the olive trees…the tranquility…the sweet aromas in the air…the blue sky and of course the People of Sella with their hospitality…their FILOTIMO. Few places in this world offer all this.

 

I urge those who have had a grandparent,parent or have had a couple of childhood memories in Sella…to take some time and effort, to contribute the best they can in making Sella an even better place than it already is.

 

Lets strive to get Sella where it is meant to be….

 

Let's give Sella an even better and bigger space on the map of Greece.

 

Let's Appreciate and work towards our Heritage!

Efstathia Kanavou

(Efh)

 

Το ΣΕΛΛΑ ΜΕΣΣΗΝΙΑΣ BLOG NEWS, ευχαριστεί θερμά την κυρία Καναβού, για την παραπάνω αρθρογραφία, τόσο για την ενημέρωσης της  τοπικής παράδοσης για την γιορτή της μέρας 'Heritage Day  στην Ν. Αφρική,  όσο και για τις επισημάνσεις, που αφορούν το Σελλά, τον Αρκαδικό Ποταμό, τον Νερόμυλο, την φυση και το περιβάλλον της Τριπύλης, αλλά και της αντίληψής,  που εκφράζει για τον τρόπο προσέγγισης στην βάση της  στήριξη της προοπτικής και ανάδειξης του τόπους μας. Οι απόψεις πέραν της αποδοχής μου, κινούνται στο πνεύμα και στην αντίληψη που έχω για τον τόπο μας. 

 

Σας ευχαριστώ πολύ κυρία Καναβού!

 Ο Διαχειριστής του ΣΕΛΛΑ ΜΕΣΣΗΝΙΑΣ  Blog News Nemesis , Βασίλειος Αργυρόπουλος

ΕΥΣΤΑΘΙΑ ΚΑΝΑΒΟΥ ( SOUTH AFRICA (- ΑΝΥΔΡΟ (ΛΟΣΟΒΥΤΗ) ΤΡΙΦΥΛΙΑΣ : AΠΑΝΤΑΧΟΥ ΣΕΛΛΑΙΟΙ ΣΤΕΛΝΟΥΝ ΤΗΝ ΑΓΑΠΗ ΤΟΥΣ ΣΤΟ ΣΕΛΛΑ ΜΕΣΣΗΝΙΑΣ BLOG NEWS!

ΕΥΣΤΑΘΙΑ ΚΑΝΑΒΟΥ-SOUTH AFRICA
JOHANNESBURG!

What an Interesting and Informative Blog about all the latest News and Happenings from the beautiful Sella!

I am so honoured to have been introduced to your colourful, exciting and informative Blog.

 

 

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Efstathia Kanavou, I was born in Athens but grew up and still live in Johannesburg, South Africa.
 

My parents are both from Nomos Messinias. They grew up in a little village called Faraklada, 7km outside Kyparrissia. My connection and love for Sella was instilled in me by my late Grandfather, Ioannis Konstandopoulos.

Also known as "Lagogiannis".  He was born in the Village Liosoviti but often visited Sella to spend time with family and friends who resided there. I was fortunate enough to accompany him as a young girl to your beautiful, Sella.
 

I immediately fell in love with the surrounding hills and mountain. The fresh clean air and the cool breeze. I was truly in nature! I remember my Papoulh saying, with a deep sigh of happiness to me, 'Efoula….autos o Topos…. einai Agios topos paidi mou!'  These words will remain with me forever!

I am happy to say I still have family from Sella ….Dimhtrios Adamopoulos and family…. and as soon as I visit Greece again I will definitely

 visit the beautiful Sella.

Thank you for a wonderful Blog!

I am excited to be part of this….I will be a daily visitor to it….reading the latest news and events!

With Kind Regards and my Best wishes of success with this Blog.

Efh

Johannesburg - South Africa

Η αγαπητή κυρία Καναβού μας έστειλε τις κάτωθι φωτογραφίες από την πόλη που ζει στην Νοτια Αφρική

Το ΣΕΛΛΑ ΜΕΣΣΗΝΙΑΣ BLOG NEWS, ευχαριστεί θερμά την κυρία Καναβού, για τα καλά  λόγια και την τιμή που μας έκανε να μας στείλει τις παραπάνω φωτογραφίες.

Ο Διαχειριστής του ΣΕΛΛΑ ΜΕΣΣΗΝΙΑΣ  Blog News Nemesis , Βασίλειος Αργυρόπουλος.