Umlazi!
Yesterday I visited South Africa's second largest township (right behind Soweto in Johannesburg), Umlazi, with a friend from there. Its a half an hour from the varsity so I told her I could take a cab, but she said the drivers won't go there; other South African friends were afraid for me to go there but there really is more fear than reason to have it. My friend's mom kindly came and picked me up, and it was so much fun to meet her mom and friends. I got to see her church and all the cute church moms who have matching uniforms (white coats with black ties, hats, and purple pins). Even though the service was all in Zulu I really enjoyed being there. They made me get up in front of the congregation and give a little speech about where I'm from, in front of all two hundred Zulu speaking members of the congregation...Haha. But I was very warmly greeted. Though Umlazi seldom sees a white person, everyone was so sweet. The church was very welcoming (I haven't had that many hugs in one day in a while) but when we went for lunch I was made quite aware of the lack of pigment in my skin. From the kids who stare stare; I love that they stare actually because they have no shame in it and you always know what is innocently on their minds; to the guys yelling "baby girl" "sunshine" and "white girl" at me through car windows. It was such a great experience to see Umlazi though, and more so to be with a friend who calls it home. It will be a treasured memory.
Spent this past week going to goodbye meals and hanging out with friends who I will never forget. I also got to go visit SABC with a friend who is a reporter there. I remember reading Allister Sparks' (a former editor in chief at the South African Broadcasting Company) book before I left home. His book is about the changes in South African media during and after the governmental change, a reciprocal relationship between shifting media and the move to democracy. Being there recalled all the powerful ways media influences the world, and was a reminder to me of how this country has changed. Nelson Mandela said democracy has made the world smaller and in the process been a great tool for the promotion of democracy. It was wonderful to see SABC in person, as a reminder of how it has changed, how the nation has changed, and just as one more thing I have read about that comes to life in such deeper waves when you are actually standing there.
Off to Cape Town tomorrow morning! We are planning to visit Robben Island, Table Mountain, Cape Point and the winelands, and more! I'm so excited, everyone says Cape Town is the Europe of Africa, it sounds beautiful!
|
