After meeting with everyone over the past few days I decided to see more of the cultural aspects of SA especially in the Joburg area. My first stop was the Apartheid museum in Joburg near the traditional black township of Soweto.
The museum is a multimedia experience telling the story of the birth of South Africa, the era of apartheid, (which lasted for abut 50 years and ended in 1990) and the era of political violence between 1990 when Mandela was elected president in 1994It inclused stories of he people who died fighting to bring democracy to South Africa. It also chronicles the life of Nelson Mandela and his abilty to reconcile a divided country. During one politically intense time in which a beloved friend of Mandela was killed by a racist, he urged people at a mass rally to "Throw their weapons into the sea".
The museum has a representation of the small cell where Mandela was kept from 1964 until 1982 when he was moved to another location. One of my favorite quotes from Mandela that illustrated his character and belief in the potential for reconcilation are:
"I always knew that deep down in every human hart, there is mercy and generosity"
He also understood that revenge against his oppressors would not lead to a free country. On the front of the museum is his quote which says:
"To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." Mandela 1999.
There is a theme park across from the museum that looked a lot like a Six Flags type theme park you would see in the states.
The next day I went to Rhino and Lion park outside of Johannesburg. I've included some photos from that visit. I also uploaded a video where the family I was travelling with encountered a white lion walking toward them. You can hear the kids excitement as the lion approaches. That was pretty cool. I uploaded that to You Tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO5sEsEimdE
All in all, this was an incredible trip. I have a pretty good idea of how to structure the internship now.
I'm back home now and recovering from jet lag. Last night I dreamed of South Africa.
-Jim
Wow Jim what a trip and what a great description of it all. I'm so excited for you and for the kids lucky enough to go through the program you design! It sounds truly incredible! Keep up all of your amazing work and thanks for sharing it through this blog! :)
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