Thats More like It

Today was very interesting and an eye-opening. Got picked up up by a very knowledgeable driver who explained the history of SA and took us to the District 6 Museum. District 6 was a township were black people were sent during apartheid "shipped out of the towns". We learnt about the Sharpville massacre when 69 blacks were murdered by police for refusing to carry ID Cards. It is now commentated by Human Rights Day on 21st of March which is a public holiday.

We than went to a township called Langah. There we went to a hut where they brew their own beer and learnt about the conditions they live in. We all tried the beer which was a bit like stale cider. I was surprised to learn that lawyers, doctors and other professionals also live in townships as it is where they are from and feel most comfortable. They have lovely homes and the locals call their part of the township Beverly Hills.

However most people live in very bad conditions with up 14 people in one small room. We struggled to get our group in. In one block over 40 people share a single toilet. People couldn't afford the most basic of things. Their rent per room was R120 a month which is 12 pounds and they still couldn't afford their own room which shows how great their poverty is.

Our guide around the township was called Archie, is was grandad age and had never been to school but had taught himself to read. He was funny and helpful. He was trying to get R180 together so he could get his official SA Tour Guide licence. He also need 4 colour photographs and transport money to get to the office. His rent was R450 a month and with the cost of raising a family he hadn't been able to save the money.

Next stop was a the township creche with about 40 kids and 3 staff in quite a small space. The kids went crazy when they saw us and wanted to play. It was really nice being with them and they wanted to talk to us, and use us as climbing frames. The parents pay R60 a month to leave them there.

It had been an eye opening day and we were all emotionally exhausted. However there was one more stop and that was to see a spiritual healer. The room he resided in was tiny mainly due to all the bottles, baboon's tails, furs, skins and only God knows what else. I have been having nosebleeds everyday since I got here so I was hoping he had something. However all he told me about was a plant that grow miles away and was more interested in taking pictures.

In South Africa - The Arrival

Now its ironic am here because I have always said that I wouldn't like to go to South Africa, but I am here with open mind. Its Great to get the opportunity to volunteer abroad and am sure it will be interesting.

The first thing I noticed on the plane to SA was that I was the only black passenger.
Usually when you go abroad its full of people from that country, and SA is over 80% black so I was surprised. On leaving the airport you are greeted by Table Mountain which is so mighty and inspiring. It follows you everywhere you go in the West Cape. The 13 of us then drove to our hostel in an area called Sea Point. On the way there we saw beautiful house and slums. I was impressed and irritated that Cape Town was so developed. It felt like I was in Miami, not at home in Africa. We all went for a walk and all I saw were Black people in service roles while White people shopped and ate. For dinner we went further in into town and I saw more blacks, so felt better.

Next day we learnt about SA's History and Culture:the groups in SA are the Whites, Coloureds and Blacks. I was go Mamre a Coloured area, don't have a clue who they are? We then went on a walking tour met more blacks who were all sells the usually African craft. Is there a black middle class here? Visited a church that was pinnacle in the anti apartheid movement and had pictures displayed of Desmond Tutu and others. The church was reassuring as I was beginning to wonder whether Apartheid had actually happened and ended.