Josh recognizing music, dancing, singing, and instrument playing are all people need to enjoy themselves

These last few days have revealed one thing to me – South African culture is alive.  Despite the hardships the people face, South African culture serves as a flickering light amidst the difficult times.  From visiting a local church to attending multiple jazz nights at restaurants, it is clear that Capetonians have a way of boldly representing their talents as they embrace their roots.

           

In my journal, after seeing jazz for the first time, I wrote, “Tonight it was clear that happiness is not purchased by money.  And culture is not enriched based on a country’s power.  Here in South Africa culture is alive.  Music, dancing, singing, and instrument playing are all the people need to enjoy themselves.  Presumably due to poverty, culture is not built around the individual or wealth accumulation.  But rather, culture is built on the collective.  It is the group that matters.  And without more than one, culture does not thrive.  There is a lot about life the average American could learn simply sitting in a jazz venue watching the passion of the people.”

           

A local, who works for Vernon and is with us on most days, named Parks summed it up nicely, “The life of the poor is simple: work, eat, and worship God.  But it’s a happy life.”  After hearing Parks say this and watching the thriving culture these last few days, I began to wonder why it is that some of the happiest people I’ve known in the world come from the humblest backgrounds?

           

Here are my conclusions.  For many back home in the US, they could have all the possessions they want, yet they still are not satisfied because of the great expectations society places around material possession.   Here in South Africa, people rally around the hope of a better lifestyle.  Coming across students in Manenberg's People Centre and Luigi revealed that people have hope for the future; they have dreams and passions about what they want to become.  And when someone like Luigi is starting to see his dreams realized, rather than running away and chasing after material possessions, he chooses to teach others his trade so that they too can have hope in the future.

           

You see the difference is simple.  Although generalized and not always the case, from what I’ve observed, there are people here who care deeply about their culture and others within their communities.  Yes, it is true that South African communities have their issues in terms of not always uniting across a common line to pressure the government, but the reality is, that there are people within communities fighting for the betterment of those around them.  Empowering someone to DO is a powerful thing.  After visiting my internship site today, I am excited to be on the brink of starting to work with people who are passionate for a cause and am ready to grow in what I am sure will be many ways!

View from  Bloemendal Restaurant