South Africa

national | anti-capitalism | opinion/analysis

Saturday October 28, 2006 21:41

by Con Carroll

speechless

Non expert on politics or the reality of working class black South Africans

I arrived in Cape-town last night, after 12 hour flight
I was met at the air-port by a ANC activist who is very politically aware about the reality of the black south african working class and the ruling elite of the ANC.

I wanted to visit South Africa for political education.
so I decided to go to Cape-town

The wealth of the white South African
leaves the mind open to political education
I am speechless for once.

The middle class area where I saw people live in very protected housing.
with access to armed guards.
making sure that South African black working class never enjoy the social life-style, which the white middle class have.
one has seen this sci fi films, thrillers
to witness this is to enter a different world

I have met with local people living in the town-ships whose reality is shocking,
with people looking for food outside shopping centre from the ground
Rose Dugdale told me to be prepared for what to experience and see.
I will vist a town-ship

Comments (3 of 3)

justice

Mon Oct 30, 2006 20:03

there is alot of anger among South African people,
in the manner in which S A minister Jacob Zuma walked out of court
afer he raped a woman who is hiv positive.
Desmond Tutu condemed the decision in public,
Zuma refered to Tutu as a old man.
Zuma is also hoping to be next president.

Town ships

Sat Nov 04, 2006 19:42

empowering
having visited the town-ships of Langa, Khayelitsha
one finds much empowerment of women activists
so we set out on Thursday morning with our guide Song, to visit town-ships
we begin with historical museum in District 6.
this was a place were peoples homes were smashed during the apartheid days.

we then went on to vist a township Langa
we met Rose who provided dinners for children whos families can't afford to feed them
different charity international organisations provide funding and coupons towards the running of Roses, work
children are fed before going to school. they are also giving a dinner.

our next visit is Khayelitsha, there are over I million people living in this township.
alot of people are living in their new homes. there are still others living in shacks
children meet us and welcome us to Khyelitsha
we visit a home for children while their parents go to work
it is women who are directly working with the children
the area of work invoves working with children in crime prevention.
also prevention against child sex abuse
the women take responsibilty for up to fifty children.
the name of the home is Baphumelele education centre
The South african government don't give any funding towards the work of the women
it comes from people visting them

we also visit Vicky, guest house the smallest hotel in South Africa Cape-town Khyelitsha

street childen, living on the streets of Cape-town to survive have to hassle white Europeans,
for money for food. alot of these children turn to glue sniffing to escape their every-day poverty
to be in these children presence as I stop to speak with them I found open welcome and laughter.

robben Island

Wed Nov 08, 2006 18:47

South Africa
before Mc Dowell speaks about people who are migrant workers, asylum seekers about their cock and bull stories he should visit the reality of the situation that these people live in 24 hours a day 52 weeks of the year. in Africa
what a experience to visit Robben Island prison last Sunday
where many anti apartheid activists were imprisoned and murdered
the piece and tranquility of the Island is one to expierence
as we walked into the jails were Nelson Mandela was imprisoned cell 5
one could feel that those many men who were anti apartheid pows were speaking to us.
it was a honour to be there, and to meet with a ex member of MK. who was in prison.