South Africa Day 11: Coming To Terms With Apartheid
The entire day was spent learning about the history of apartheid in South Africa...
Our first visit was to Soweto, the country's largest and most well-known township.
It is famous, because both Nobel Peace Prize winner's Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived there. As I walked around the shanty town I was able to observe the "4 D's" that are always talked about in reference to Africa: death, disaster, disease, and despair; all of which have truly made the continent the sorrow child of the Universe.
Despite this, I surprisingly found that the people's spirits were alive and that they were unwilling to give up. A recent survey had found that 93% of the country’s citizens were proud to be South African.
Along the walk, we stopped at Mandela's old house (definitely one of those proud South African's). A true hero, just being amongst his stuff inspired me to greatness.
A beautiful greeting by school children.
The outside of Mandela's home.
Mandela's bedroom.
The boots that Mandela wore in prison for so many years.
On the next visit we paid our respects at the Hector Peterson memorial. Peterson, only an innocent child, was the 1st causality of the Soweto uprisings that occurred in 1976.
This quote by Mandela was incredibly moving: To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but
to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
The final visit was to the Apartheid Museum. This historical site takes a hard, long look at South Africa's era of segregation. With plenty of attention to details and overall effect, the museum uses film, text, audio, and live accounts to provide a colorful insight into the architecture, implementation, and eventual unraveling of the apartheid system. There is no way one can leave there without feeling emotionally drained.
The powerful entrance into the museum.
An interesting exhibit of mirrors.
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On the coach ride to our farewell dinner for the half of the delegation not going on the safari, I read a quote by David Lamb in his book, The Africans, that I thought was perfectly fitting for the day. He wrote, "But troubled as these early years of nationhood have been, Africa need not dwell forever in the uncertain twilight zone. Its dreams have been only mislaid, not lost." I could not agree with that quote more! Although the light on Africa's problems barely exists, I truly believe that due to the extraordinary people in this world who care deeply about the incredible continent, that the light will one day will be illuminated.
Me and Sarah so excited to start our safari adventure!
Kruger National Park now awaited my arrival...
Our first visit was to Soweto, the country's largest and most well-known township.
It is famous, because both Nobel Peace Prize winner's Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived there. As I walked around the shanty town I was able to observe the "4 D's" that are always talked about in reference to Africa: death, disaster, disease, and despair; all of which have truly made the continent the sorrow child of the Universe.
Despite this, I surprisingly found that the people's spirits were alive and that they were unwilling to give up. A recent survey had found that 93% of the country’s citizens were proud to be South African.
Along the walk, we stopped at Mandela's old house (definitely one of those proud South African's). A true hero, just being amongst his stuff inspired me to greatness.
A beautiful greeting by school children.
On the next visit we paid our respects at the Hector Peterson memorial. Peterson, only an innocent child, was the 1st causality of the Soweto uprisings that occurred in 1976.
to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
The final visit was to the Apartheid Museum. This historical site takes a hard, long look at South Africa's era of segregation. With plenty of attention to details and overall effect, the museum uses film, text, audio, and live accounts to provide a colorful insight into the architecture, implementation, and eventual unraveling of the apartheid system. There is no way one can leave there without feeling emotionally drained.
as
Kruger National Park now awaited my arrival...
This looks like it was an amazing experience. Thanks for sharing & hope you have a good time at Kruger National Park
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