This week has been quite a whirlwind
as we traveled to both Johannesburg and Kruger National Park. It was really fun
to hang out with everyone from both houses as often times it is hard to get to
see everyone all the time due to our busy schedules.
I absolutely loved all of the
museums that we went to go visit, but, by far, the most impactful for me was
Constitution Hill. The symbolism of the worst injustices of the law (the old
prison) being corrected by the rebuilding of the nations highest court on the
same site was incredibly powerful. Everything in the court had meaning. The cowhides
that covered the justices podium spots, which alternated with each new session,
where each very unique to meet the uniqueness of the justices who sat behind
them. There were seats in the viewing gallery, as all cases were open to the public
that was above the justice platforms to signify that the judges were there to
serve the people. The court itself was built upon the bricks of the old prison,
taking the past to rebuild the present, which is exactly how I view the law, so
that was very exciting. There was also a window in the courtroom that people
could look in, showing the transparency of their decisions, as well as provide
the justices with a view of the old prison watch tower to never forget the past
injustices their legal system provided. Needless to say, this was everything I
adore about the legal system and law and it was just super fabulous.
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| Constitutional Court |
Now the prison itself was also super
fascinating because this is where the myth of Nongoloza started. The Myth of
Nongoloza is also called the myth of the number. In the prisons in South
Africa, there are three gangs, the 26’s, 27’s and 28’s. Each has their own unique reputation and
back-story, but all add to the intense violence that is witnessed everyday in
the prisons of South Africa. Seeing and hearing about the inhumane conditions
experienced by these poor people provides so much more context for why exactly
these groups operate in the way they do. It was also interesting to see the
sites that impacted the lives of the men and women I work with in my internship
in so many ways, as the organizations in the prisons have spread to associate
with syndicate and external street gangs in Hanover Park and like
neighborhoods.
On another note, I really enjoyed
the service component of our trip. I think that the most meaningful part of
this study abroad experience for me has been the community service/ integration
aspect that is provided through our activist projects and internships. Through
meeting and forming relationships with the people of the communities study
abroad students or tourists would not normally do, not only enriches our
experience but our ability to fulfill the tenets of Ubuntu and being all one
together.
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| Elizabeth at the Boys & Girls Club in Soweto |
All in all, I would say this was a
truly incredible experience and I feel very lucky to have been able to embark
on this journey.
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