Elderly men and gogos work in the waving maize fields, children play outside their homes, and livestock grazes meditatively in the lush green fields.
Dotted around are brightly coloured homes and a few face-brick houses, scattered here and there are mud rondavels.
This was the picture of former president Nelson Mandela’s home village of Qunu at the weekend.
Qunu residents breathed a huge sigh of relief as news that their hero had been discharged from hospital on Friday spread through the rural village situated 32km outside Mthatha in the Transkei.
It was back to business as usual as the locals went about their chores and put Mandela’s health scare behind them.
For Nowam Mandela, 59, a relative of the former statesman, and her neighbours, the news brought hope they would see their “father” again.
The relief came after it was announced that Mandela had been released from hospital and was recuperating at his Houghton home in Joburg with family and friends.
“We wish he would come back to Qunu because we don’t have money to go to Johannesburg to care for him.
“When we heard the news of him admitted to hospital, we were hurt,” said Nowam Mandela.
“We would like to see him, but we can’t. When he’s better we wish he would return to his place. He is our father, the oldest father we have.”
She said she and all residents of Qunu were extremely worried when Mandela was admitted to hospital. “But now we are very happy,” she said.
Mandela’s neighbour Nowinothi Geledwane said the community constantly prayed and asked God to spare the elderly statesman.
“My home is right next to Mandela’s home. We love him very much because he did a lot for us - we have water and electricity.
“When I heard he was in hospital my soul was torn. The whole of Qunu was left devastated,” said Geledwane, 60.
She also hoped Mandela would return to Qunu “so we can see him”.
Fellow resident Mandlenkosi Ngcebetshane, 77, agreed.
“The best thing would be for him to come back and stay at his home (in Qunu). Johannesburg is too far - one can’t walk there,” said Ngcebetshane as he walked from the village towards the maize fields.
“He must get well, we love him,” he added.
Working in his maize field opposite the local Mandela graveyard, Manquma Gamakhulu, 86, said Mandela had improved their lives and if he died, there would be a great deal of hurt.
“He made us better people - we switch on lights and have water tanks, we no longer suffer,” said Gamakhulu.
Boasting that Mandela knew him personally, Gamakhulu said they had had encounters as Gamakhulu was an active member of Cosatu when he worked as a carpenter in Braamfontein at the same time Mandela studied there.
He described the retired politician as Inkunzi emdaka, a Xhosa expression used to pay respect to someone who has achieved greatness through bravery and strength.
He said he would remember Mandela for his kindness and sweetness.
“When you arrive at his place to visit him, he does the amazing thing of standing up and greeting you first when you should be the one doing that.
“He is the sweetest person in the world,” said Gamakhulu.
Mandela’s sister-in-law, Nosinala Mandela, told the Cape Times that her husband had left Qunu for Joburg to show support to the ailing former president.
She said that according to her husband Mandela was doing well and they were all spending time at his home in Houghton.
“We are happy he is getting better,” said Nosinala Mandela.
Teenager Mawande Mandela wished his grandfather good health.
He could not wait for him to return to Qunu so he could shake his hand. - Cape Times