DAY ONE in SA

Day One:
I did an SAS trip and went to the District Six Museum and a township named Langa. The Museum was slightly overwhelming for someone who is not familiar with District Six and S.A.’s racist history. I got the jist of it but didn’t feel like I learned as much as I should have. District is an area of town that the government confiscated from the black inhabitants and made into a “white-only area.” They kicked out all of the blacks and then bulldozed all of it down except for a couple of churches. The museum is a tribute to those who lived there and the struggle of the black man versus the white government.

Next, we went to Langa. The housing this area was from the 1920s and 1940s. At first glance it didn’t look that horrible and there were many small, (old and run down) houses but not really the shanties to which the townships are notorious for. We did pass some on the way out, but the tour guide said the new government (instated in around 1994) is making a massive effort to provide housing and eliminate the shanty towns. We went in to a government owned hostel (one form of public housing). Families rent one twin sized bed (regardless of size) and share the room with on e or two other families. There was 6 bedrooms; a nasty no-stove, no refrigerator, no sink kitchen, and a common area (with a picnic table as a dining table and a sink). All together there were 16 families occupying this area big enough for a family of six people in the states. It wasn’t until recently, (I think 1985) that electricity and water was installed. Even more recently was a light in each room installed. After that we went to a new government flat while still very small this one was at least humanely livable. It reminded me of a low rent apartment in the states. I, however, didn’t ask how many people lived in the flat.

The Children were absolutely wonderful. They’d just run up to us in the streets and hug us and hold our hands. They loved touching our hair. They were defiantly the highlight. On the way back to the ship the tour guide thanked us for seeing the township. She said that there were many South Africans that never had and didn’t want to. As odd (and wrong) as it felt “touring” the township I think that the people honestly want others to see—so things can change. If people are ignorant of the problem then how can they help?