Soweto 8/2

**I need to apologize about getting behind on the blogs. I had very limited Internet once we were in South Africa. I will get everything updated throughout the week. Thank you for understanding.

This is a day everyone should experience. We spent the day touring parts of Johannesburg with the majority being in the Township called Soweto (Southwest Town). In this township we saw the rich, the middle class, and the poor (or the good, bad, and the ugly). Let me tell you this is an eye opening experience.

The Rich…where Nelson Mandela currently lives–barbed wire around the top of fences, fancy cars, multiple story homes, and domestic help. This is a place where you could walk around and not have to worry about crime.

Two boys blowing kisses.

Now for the opposite side of Soweto—the poor.  We stopped and took a tour of an informal settlement where there is no running water, electricity, or indoor toilets. Kids were running around without shoes and jackets (keep in mind, it is winter in Africa). We were told not to give kids any money, but the kids were begging as soon as we got off the bus. It was a heartbreaking and humbling experience. We walked up the streets. The houses are essentially whatever material the family could scrounge up to make walls and a roof. Families of up to ten people lived in extremely tiny conditions. When I say tiny, I mean about the size my daughter’s bedroom. Most of the people who live here are unemployed and rely on tourists to ‘help’ them out (it was okay to give adults money, but not the children) as the government does not help. The kids attend school but have to walk 20-30 minutes to attend. It was hard not to feel guilty as my camera that I am using is worth more than everything a family owns. As I was leaving, a 3-year old blew me a kiss and whispered, “Can I have some money please?” It just tugged at my heart. Many students at Valley are poverty stricken, but nothing compared to this informal settlement.

Inside a 'home' of a family in Soweto

The main difference from poor and middle class is that the homes looked more permanent and people had cars in their fenced in yards. I would imagine that the majority of the homes would have electricity, indoor plumbing, and running water. The home size would be comparable to a two-car garage.

After this humbling experience, we went to Nelson Mandela’s home before he was imprisoned. This would be in a middle class neighborhood. We ate lunch in his neighborhood and had authentic South African food. I will admit that I tried intestine. I can’t say I am a fan, but I did try.

The last item for the day was touring the Apartheid Museum. I have a greater understanding of the tribulations that have faced South Africans. I still know very little and plan to do some reading upon my return. Something to think about…the South African constitution is based on these characteristics: Diversity, Responsibility, Democracy, Equality, Reconciliation, Respect, and Freedom.

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