This is a long post, but it's hard to describe South Africa's culture in only a few sentences. A big part of the Cross-Cultural Solutions program is the Cultural Learning Experiences we participate in. Over the three weeks I was there I learned and saw a lot! South Africa has a very rich and complicated history that has resulted in a very diverse culture. I am no expert, but here is a quick history lesson.
The original inhabitants of South Africa were the Khoisan or “bushmen” as we would call them. Due to South Africa’s proximity to the ocean European settlers began to explore and colonize. There was naturally conflict between these groups as the Dutch East India Company began to push further north. Slaves were being imported from elsewhere in Africa and eastern countries like Madagascar and Indonesia brining yet another racial and cultural group to the area. As the colonists continued moving east they encountered the Xhosa speaking people living in the Eastern Cape. Conflict ensued with this group as well. As you can imagine with all these different racial groups assimilation began to occur and groups known as the “Afrikaner” and “Coloured” began to develop. Fast forward to the early 1900s after years of war the British still had control of the land and were refusing to give equal rights to the black South Africans. The African National Congress (ANC) came in to being in 1912 and protested the unfair laws. In 1944 the ANC Youth League was formed with Nelson Mandela as the secretary. The black resistance strengthened, but in 1948 the Nationalist Party gained power and apartheid became an official government ideology.
Apartheid continued from 1948-1994 separating South Africans into racial groups (black, white, coloured, and Indian). These groups were separated by forced removals. The government segregated education, medical care, etc. and provided black people with services inferior to those of whites. There was great internal resistance to apartheid and the protests were met with a banning of opposition and imprisoning of anti-apartheid leaders like Nelson Mandela in 1964. As unrest spread and became more violent state organizations responded with violence. Many innocent people including children were killed. In 1989 dissension within the Nationalist Party began and FW de Klerk was elected President. On February 11, 1990 he released Nelson Mandela and 7 other political prisoners after 27 years in jail. South Africa held their first fully democratic elections in 1994 and chose Nelson Mandela as their President.
As a result, South Africa is a very diverse nation today with a lot of obstacles to overcome. There is a 40% unemployment rate and a large divide between rich and poor. High rates of crime, alcoholism and drug use plague the area. Over 6 million people are living with HIV and 1 in 4 pregnant women is HIV positive. Due to apartheid land segregation policies many people lack appropriate housing and millions live in the overcrowded townships or “shantytowns.” The second day of orientation we took a Township Tour which was an eye opening experience. The conditions that people live in are startling. Many families are sharing small spaces and sleeping on the floor. Despite all of this there is also great hope and many uplifting stories that come from the townships. We met a woman named Vicky who has turned her home, located in the township Khayelitsha, into a B&B (I have pics in the slideshow). She has a booming business and welcomes anyone to stay.
While driving around the townships we stopped at a memorial for the Trojan Horse Massacre. In 1985 South African security forces came in to the area in disguise and opened fire on a crowd. Three boys died and several others were wounded. The attack was a result of the anti-apartheid protests in the area.
We also visited the District Six museum. District Six is an area that was declared for “whites only” and people were forcibly removed from their homes, which were then bulldozed down. The museum includes a large map of District Six where people have written their names on indicated where their house used to be. We received a tour from a man who used to live in District Six. He was great and spoke about the love, forgiveness and reconciliation that South Africans want for their country. Another museum we visited was the Slave Lodge which is the actual building where slaves were forced to live. Today it is a museum dedicated to honoring equal human rights.
One of my favorite Cultural Learning Experiences was getting to watch the Youth Drama or “Zwane.” This group of young people (all in their early 20s) sings, dances and acts. They perform not only for entertainment, but also to educate their community about TB, STIs and HIV/AIDS. I have posted a video of them dancing.
I was also able to visit Robben Island and take in a South African play while I was there. Like I said I did a lot! Check out the slideshow for pictures of everything I have described.
