Stellenbosch's Rastas say they 'puff' ganja

Kerry McCatty Sunday, May 13, 2007

STELLENBOSCH, South Africa - Stellenbosch is probably the last place one would expect to see a chanting Rasta man draped in red, green and gold, obligatory rod in hand and carrying a boom box playing Bob Marley's Soul Rebel.

The South African college town is one of terrace restaurants, expensive boutiques. It is the kind of romantic, Hollywood artist pad, which, come to think of it, is probably the reason we found Zebulon Tafari there.

Rueben Tafari (left) and Ras Simon.

"You have to give me something for the picture," Tafari shouted as he saw the camera. Ten Rands gets him talking. His speech, one of a sing-song, rehearsed, high-pitched nature, is littered with 'I mans,' and proclamations that "Rasta is the right order".

Tafari, who is South African by birth, is one of roughly 300 Rastafarians living in and around Stellenbosch, according to another Rasta, Rueben Tafari.
The Rastafarians are members of the Nyabingi order, Ruben Tafari, who was selling assorted wares under a tree with his friend Ras Simon, said.

They share practices associated with Rastafarianism, such as smoking marijuana. Correction: "We don't smoke, we puff," Rueben Tafari, pointed out. Born into African ethnic groups, the Rastas of Stellenbosch have chosen the faith for a simple reason.

"Rasta livity is good livity. It is a African levity," Ras Simon said. Zebulon Tafari shared similar sentiments.
"I stand for the right of Jah," Zebulon said, explaining that he was involved in illegal activities and his life was lost, "but God pick me up".

Soon, Tafari was giving a street side homily. He doesn't really work, but gets some money from tourists who want to take his picture. He also sells 'ital' food occassionally.
"I don't worry," Tafari said.