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.
