I
would like to say that this has been the second year in a row I’ve taken an
alternative spring break. This week, UConn planned a wonderful week-long
excursion for us in the city of Johannesburg. Here, we had another week similar
to our orientation in which we toured historical museums and landmarks related
to South Africa’s recent history. The Apartheid Museum really stood out to me
as I found it to characterize the freedom struggle very well. In it were rooms
that hung the nooses of all the political rebels that were killed in detainment
by the apartheid government. In addition, there were rooms filled with big
screens that showed film of the white police storming a peaceful black
consciousness protest and turning it to chaos and violence. I found the Hector
Pieterson Museum to be very frustrating yet informative. I found myself
increasingly angered with each video of police brutality and with each false
governmental account I read. Each peaceful protest the police ambushed they
were able to incite so much pain and fear yet were then able to issue a
statement the next day that placed the blame on the black and colored parties.
I could never imagine having to tolerate such a blatantly corrupt government
and see them walk away from their crimes without remorse or consequence.
March 21st is a holiday in South Africa, Human
Rights Day, on which we traveled to the suburb that the holiday is in
remembrance of, Sharpeville. Sharpeville’s past is another example of the
violence and corruption of the apartheid government - an open massacre of 69
black protesters by the police. The ‘celebration’ of such a somber event was
nothing as I expected. All throughout the streets of Sharpeville we saw the
various political parties parading through the street in their designated color.
They marched, danced, and chanted with great enthusiasm down the street;
somehow impervious to the scorching heat or the weight of the day. I could
never imagine a holiday in our country to be so politically driven and
celebrated.
A day of our excursion was dedicated
to visiting the Boys and Girls Club of Soweto, an organization that offers
entertainment, guidance, and food to deter the kids of Soweto from gangsterism.
At first, we were broken up into groups to tackle different projects for the
club. I volunteered to help garden, a leisurely and enjoyable task, or so I
thought. The club’s garden was a forest of tangled weeds and trash, myself and
the other volunteers definitely broke some sweat clearing up the garden and it
was so satisfying to see the final product. Afterwards, we joined the kids in
relay races, Easter egg hunts, and dance sessions. It was certainly the most
fun and exhausting day I’ve had so far. The remainder of the week we spent in
Kruger National Park. Each day we were treated to game drives in which we saw
all the wild-life South Africa has to offer: lions, elephants, zebras, water
buffalo, you name it. After such a hectic week it was rewarding to sit and
relax in nature before returning to our busy Capetonian lives. I cannot believe
how little time we have left here but I am excited to meet all that is to come.
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