Day 11 (Soweto/ Apartheid)

Today I took my first real glimpse into the "real" South Africa, by visiting the Apartheid Museum and the slum of Soweto.

The museum was a portrait into the not too distant past, when the Apartheid ruled in South Africa and racial segregation lines defined society. With Apartheid being abolished in 1991 many South Africans don't want to visit the museum because of proximity of the ruthless rule. Rising in 1948 the Apartheid Afrikaners minority ruled the majority colored or "NIE WHITES" using a race classification system to make them inferior to others.

This rule was met with resistance by the African National Congress headed by the nations savior the Nelson Mandela. A passionate black South African who wanted equality for all south African people. Mandela spoke out against the racial travesties occurring in his country and was sentenced in 1962 to 28 years on Robben Island, the South African equivalent of Alcatraz. These years would help sculpt his vision and determination to one day lead South Africa out of the darkness of the Apartheid.

Arising from these chains of slavery Mandela became South Africas first black president in 1994 and served one 4 year term. A stint which saw many positive changes to the quality of life racial infrastructure of the nation. Mandela is an incredible human being who accomplished great things through almost insurmountable odds and is an inspiration to all.

Now to Soweto, one of the poorest areas in South Africa. Till this visit we had only seen the well developed university area of Pretoria and the city of Johannesburg. Both are a far cry from the impoverished conditions which grip most of the country.
The bus ride in saw a dramatic change in scenery from tall buildings and gated communities to tin/wood shacks stretched out for miles.

Getting off the bus we hesitantly brought out our cameras and strolled through the dirt path to a the middle of the village. We were greeted by children who probably owned nothing more than the clothes on their backs. They were incredibly friendly and asked us where we were from while accompanying us on the road. Most of the children had seen foreigners and weren't hesitant to ask each of us for rand.

One story I recall is a boy named John who wanted rand to help feed his grandmother. The story cut deep into my heart but I regrettably hadn't brought any cash with me. Feeling guilty we took pictures of the children which was to their enjoyment, they screamed "let me see, let me see" after every one, we played and put them on our shoulders which made them briefly happy.

Our tour ended with a viewing of the living conditions of a single shack. We entered through a metal fence protected with barbed wire into a shack 5' by 20' inside was a grandmother and her grandson, who told us that she had been living in this shack for 16 years. She cooked cleaned and slept in the same one room without any electricity or running water. She shared this one area with 6 others 3 of which were babies or toddlers.

These images have been weighing heavy on my heart and more thankful for my blessings.