What is clear is that traveling and seeing and learning from different people are the best forms of education. Our study team visited the University of Cape Town (UCT) today amidst a typical rainy, windy winter Cape Day. Gail gave an invited lecture on "The Status of Race, Ethnicity and Social Class in American Education." As usual, she over-prepared, had pre-nervous syndrome; but it went well. We had hoped to spend more time with Dr. Pumla Gobodo-Madikezela, a prominent psychologist in the Psychology Department at UCT and member of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. However, she was super busy. UCT ( a historically White university) was clearly a more upscale university than the University of the Western Cape (a historically Coloured university). One can visibly see the lingering influence of Apartheid.
Yesterday we went to Robben Island off the shores of the Cape where Mr. Mandela (who spend 18 years there) and other political prisoners were incarcerated. It was a very emotional experience for me as many experiences here. Our guide was an ex-political prisoner and ex-member of the ANC. He told us about the harsh conditions and treatment that he and Mr. Mandela and others underwent. Racial stratification was maintained in the prisons. Mr. Mandela and others in his cell block had no bathroom; only a bucket in their cell which they had to carry all day. Too many other things to tell here so I will defer other details. Despite the harsh treatments and the various physical and psychological effects of their incarceration, our guide, again 7 year ex-prisoner said that he had forgiven all of his violators and was proud of his fight and struggle for a free South Africa. I've much to learn about forgiveness from him!
The conditions in the townships and informal structures of the poor (i.e. squatter camps) and the housing, schools and amenities for the well to do still clearly shows the vast disparities between the rich and the poor. As Gandhi said, "progress at a snail's pace."
We leave from Johannesburg tomorrow morning for "Act II of our journey. If time permits a blog forthcoming from there.
Cheers,
Gail
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2 comments:
Hi All
Your experiences are so moving and inspiring. Will be reading future posts with great interest.
Stay safe...and open.
Best
Ted
I look forward to reading the blogs and sharing them with others every day. You guys are doing great work and are tremendously inspiring! Thanks for taking the time to communicate these experiences-- I feel as though I am along for the trip!
Somell
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