Where's that?
Situated underneath the nations of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, South Africa lies on the southernmost tip of the African continent. Ranked #25 worldwide for total land area (roughly twice the size of Texas) and #24 for population (nearly 56 million), South Africa remains at the forefront of international discussion and interest. With a distinctly diverse population -- its 11 national languages can speak to this* -- South Africa is home to people from all walks of life, from European and Sub-Saharan African heritage, from wealthy to impoverished, from Ernie Els to Archbishop Desmond Tutu to Trevor Noah (The Daily Show, anyone?) to Charlize Theron. The history of the country is rich with turmoil and strife, yet today South Africa boasts one of the most progressive Constitutions in the world. Oh, and the national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel'iAfrika (God Bless Africa), is seriously beautiful.
*get it? Speak to this?
*get it? Speak to this?
Not sure you know much about South Africa? I bet you know more than you think...
See! You knew more than you thought! Still, there's so much to learn.
A Nation Divided
Apartheid, literally translated to "the state of being apart" or "apart-ness," was the system of intense racial segregation that was enforced in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. The Afrikaner minority maintained political rule, while the huge black majority suffered serious discrimination. During this time, black South Africans were forcibly removed from their homes and displaced, endured segregated (and typically poor) education, medical care, and other public services. Black citizens were deprived of their right to vote. Violence was carried out by police and paramilitary forces against those who dared oppose the apartheid system. Nelson Mandela, as well as several other anti-apartheid political leaders, was imprisoned for his beliefs.
African Studies Center, Michigan State University |
Renewal
"If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness." -Nelson Mandela
South Africa, 1994. A nation of people once divided by color is united under the promise of new life and new purpose; a new flag is raised as a testament to this promise. Nelson Mandela is elected president of his nation. The Rainbow Nation is born. Mandela paints a picture of an ideal South Africa -- one in which national reconciliation is promoted and equality reigns supreme. The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission is begun with the hope of bringing justice and forgiveness to all those who suffered through apartheid. |
Today
Twenty-one years after the election that ended the era of apartheid, it is clear: Mandela’s dreams have not been realized. 26% of the population remains unemployed or involved in irregular and informal work -- that figure raises to 29% for women. One-quarter of women above the age of 25 have never step foot in a school of any kind, owing back to the oppressive, segregated classrooms of Bantu Education for black South Africans under apartheid. Over half of the population lives in poverty; only 70% have access to clean water.
Today, South Africa is called to complete the task that Mandela proposed in his inaugural speech—instilling a sense of justice, peace, and work for all people, regardless of skin color or gender. Statistics South Africa |
My South Africa
July 24 / Day 50
This country is at war. The oppression of apartheid still remains in the minds and memories of these people; its effects still burn. Though over 20 years have passed, many still feel the weight of that institution of injustice full on their shoulders. This country has come so far, yet hostility remains.
When I look out my window what do I see? I see a dirty street; I see an abandoned garbage bag of chip wrappers and a river of sewage coming to wash them away. I see homeless men and women begging for a glimpse of care from anyone passing by. I see ten-foot-tall gates and barbs and wires and chains made to keep these same people out of yards, schools, parking lots, and churches. Inequality fosters unemployment; unemployment fosters xenophobia; xenophobia leads to the Jeppestown these people know today. Apartheid is twenty years gone, yes. However, South Africa remains still in a time of great transition—moving from war into peace. |
July 25 / Day 51
This country is at peace; the beaming faces of the children around me, as well as their families, tell me this plainly. We all started with this kind of joy inside of us: pure amazement at a sunset, a day made complete by the kicking of a humble ball into a simple goal. Yet, for many in this city and in cities like it across our world, these moments of joy become darkened by the worries of adulthood, of unemployment, of hunger. The beautiful innocence remains, just stored away to make room for worry.
Just as the people of Jeppestown are called to live in a spirit of Ubuntu through their daily actions, so too is each person in our world. If we bind ourselves tightly to one another and to the well-being of each person, we cannot be moved. For all that can be shaken will be shaken in time, and only the unshakable remain. |