Ubuntu "I am because We are" - June 19th, 2019
We had a very early start today. The sun was still hidden behind the mountains as we bundled up in heavy jackets and blankets and went on our last safari at Aquila. With a magnificent sunrise as our backdrop, we watched as rhinos, zebras, springbok, ostriches, elephants, and lions begin their morning routines. Lions walked within two feet of our truck.
After the safari, we embarked on our two hour journey back to Cape Town. After our drive, which included a brief stop for lunch at Steers, we arrived at the Bridges Academy for Music in Langa for a panel discussion featuring four very qualified panelists. One is a member of the board of iThuba and was active in educational policy in the Western Cape after the end of Apartheid. Another one is the daughter of a board member of iThuba and student at the University of Cape Town who grew up in Langa. There were members of two opposing political parties as well. One from the Democratic Alliance, the main opposition party in South Africa and it controls the Western Cape; the other panelist was a member of the Economic Freedom Fighters Party who has a strong socialist agenda. There was a great amount of diversity within the panel when it came to the political views. Both of their versions of our "left" and the "right" were represented. Our awesome guide, Siviwe was the moderator for this discussion. The conversation that took place covered topics ranging from apartheid to politics to education and more. Students were able to ask questions and comment on their own personal experiences. One main idea that came across was the inequities of education that are very apparent. Questions about what gets taught as far as the history of apartheid, who gets to teach this history and what is the purpose of knowing this history. The most powerful subject discussed was how even though apartheid has legally ended, there are still remnants of it today. The shadow of apartheid or as was stated modern day apartheid as far as its institutionalization impacts the black South African population. After the discussion, a few adults spoke about how this was the first opportunity for them to speak so freely about apartheid to the level of depth and vulnerability in a public space. Once the discussion was over, we got a chance to say good bye to our iThuba friends and play with them on last time. This was a very memorable day.
-David and Beckett
After the safari, we embarked on our two hour journey back to Cape Town. After our drive, which included a brief stop for lunch at Steers, we arrived at the Bridges Academy for Music in Langa for a panel discussion featuring four very qualified panelists. One is a member of the board of iThuba and was active in educational policy in the Western Cape after the end of Apartheid. Another one is the daughter of a board member of iThuba and student at the University of Cape Town who grew up in Langa. There were members of two opposing political parties as well. One from the Democratic Alliance, the main opposition party in South Africa and it controls the Western Cape; the other panelist was a member of the Economic Freedom Fighters Party who has a strong socialist agenda. There was a great amount of diversity within the panel when it came to the political views. Both of their versions of our "left" and the "right" were represented. Our awesome guide, Siviwe was the moderator for this discussion. The conversation that took place covered topics ranging from apartheid to politics to education and more. Students were able to ask questions and comment on their own personal experiences. One main idea that came across was the inequities of education that are very apparent. Questions about what gets taught as far as the history of apartheid, who gets to teach this history and what is the purpose of knowing this history. The most powerful subject discussed was how even though apartheid has legally ended, there are still remnants of it today. The shadow of apartheid or as was stated modern day apartheid as far as its institutionalization impacts the black South African population. After the discussion, a few adults spoke about how this was the first opportunity for them to speak so freely about apartheid to the level of depth and vulnerability in a public space. Once the discussion was over, we got a chance to say good bye to our iThuba friends and play with them on last time. This was a very memorable day.
-David and Beckett
Waiting for the safari
Sunrise at Aquila
Zebras at Aquila
Ostriches
Good morning!
Lions
On the road back to Cape Town
Panel discussion
Siviwe moderating the discussion
Students asking questions
LEAP student asking questions
More conversation
Last few minutes of play time
Smiles before parting ways
LEAP x Poly
iThuba x Poly
Hugs goodbye
The Boys
Love and smiles
Viewpoints from the discussion:
Cape Town has a different thought process than the rest of South Africa; Cape Town is more about moving on. Focus on the ‘in the now’ The challenge of history and memory: how to study and learn from it but to not let it prejudice us going forward.
‘When we (Blacks in South Africa) speak about apartheid, we risk losing our job.’
‘If we talk about apartheid, it is often a trigger for the audience…this is happening all over the world.’
‘For Black people here, we get degrees and the bar regularly gets raised just above our level of achievement. We cannot catch up to the bar.’
‘Today, we have economic apartheid.’
‘Will apartheid ever end?’ That question about apartheid makes it sound like an event. Apartheid is NOT an event. Colonization started apartheid and left psychological, emotional, mental and physical scars.’
‘To shy away from apartheid as a topic is treasonous.’
‘The destiny of the youth? Each generation has its own mission? The Mandelas’ calling was to end apartheid. What will today’s generation do?’
Apartheid effectively divided blacks within South Africa. We see the fencing off of cultures.’
‘Go to school and make sure you get the BEST out of your school.’
‘Ignorance is the result of a media owned by private individuals and not by us.’
‘Capitalist system makes it possible for the capitalist to survive.’
‘The learning about the past equips us for the future.’
‘The boys club around the world is well-connected’ (this is in response to the issue of sexism)
‘For all females, you have the right to become anything you want, but you have to grab it. The only thing that matters is…you! Be the voice for girls all over the world.’
‘Thank you for partnering with iThuba and for developing (and sharing back home) empathy for the marginalized.’
