I am not a particularly religious person, but on this Christian day of rest we were given quite a spiritual journey. We started at the Apartheid Museum and were given 2 hours for what could easily fill an entire day. Walking in you are assigned a label, as a black person or a white person, and given a path showing you the experience of that label under apartheid. The exhibits trace the long history of colonial oppression leading up to the modern expression of harsh colonialism, Apartheid. As a US citizen, I was struck by the many parallels with my own country's history. One main difference: indigenous peoples in the US were brutalized and overwhelmed whereas in South Africa they persisted and eventually overcame their oppressors with a most remarkable and largely peaceful transformation thanks to the trust Nelson Mandela was able to build on both sides. Mandela figures quite prominently and there are other remarkable exhibits too, not the least of which is a multimedia re-imagining of an African choir who performed for Queen Victoria in England in 1891. Their photographic portraits were rediscovered in London in 2014.
Next we traveled a short distance to Soweto for a traditional meal and a tour by Tuk-Tuk courtesy of Lebo's Soweto Tours. Our little train of eight Tuk-Tuks, driven by young men from the area, meandered down township streets, not all paved, being greeted by one excited child after another wanting to give us high
fives. Tourism is one of the coming things in Soweto and we received a
warm welcome. Our guide, Lungile (the ladies call him lolipop) spoke
to us in many languages, both native and foreign as he described the
evolution of the place, especially since Mandela. Coming from a place
of extreme oppression and consequent poverty, they still have many
challenges, but Lungile explained, in excellent English, that it was important for the world to
see what they are becoming. I came away thinking the phrase "heart of
Africa" had new meaning. Lebo's caters to younger travelers especially,
offering a very cozy place to stay and several ways to tour. I can
also heartily recommend Soweto Gold beer.
Lungile (LOON Gee Lay) also told us how he got his name. His father asked his first wife if he could take a second wife. She said OK. Lungile in Zulu means "It's OK."
#CSCZA19 #IBMCSA
Lungile (LOON Gee Lay) also told us how he got his name. His father asked his first wife if he could take a second wife. She said OK. Lungile in Zulu means "It's OK."
#CSCZA19 #IBMCSA
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