Johannesburg

Our full day tour of Johannesburg was a very enlightening trip.  It always amazes me when I travel how others live.  They happily live a life that is VERY different from ours.  The South African people are very friendly and welcoming into their townships and homes.

The day started early with a drive from the one of the northern townships thru Johannesburg to one of the outlying areas Soweta.  Along the way we were treated to some interesting and disturbing sites.  It always saddens me when I see homeless people living on the street whether it is in California or around the world.  And this was no exception.  Living under overpasses, families could be seen with women cooking in fire barrels and washing clothing in buckets.  And I was forced to wonder why, when so many live in free government housing.  I guess it just points to the fact that there isn’t enough to go around.  Reflecting on that I have to remember that the Union of South Africa is a very NEW nation at only 20 years. 

The first stop was at Freedom Square in Soweto, so named as the South Western Township, where many blacks were relocated when the whites needed more space, even long before apartheid.  Freedom Square was the site of many rallies during the infamous 1976 riots.  Now the tall Freedom Tower stands to remind all of the 10 principles upon which this nation was founded.  It is still a gather spot as there are many markets on the grounds.

We journeyed next to the Hector Peterson Memorial where a young boy was killed during the 1976 riots.  It was a very poignant spot where we learned of the terrible treatment of students.

Following this brief stop, we went to lunch at Chez Alina, which was actually the restaurant operated by our Soweto tour guides mother.  The delicious lunch introduced us to some new flavors and also gave us an opportunity to see what a very middle class house is.  Though some of us would not even consider this 5 room home to be the least adequate, it was warm and inviting with loads of books visible on the shelves.  A testament to how most people feel about education as the way up.  Street entertainers surprised us with a rendition of several Zulu dances and we were off to the Apartheid Museum.

The museum was large and gave a tremendous amount of information.  Truly more than a brain can absorb in a few hours.  The documentation in text, photos and video left a strong impression on all of us.  No pix allowed but I don’t know that I wanted to further document this atrocity anyway.

Weary brains and feet are heading back to the hotel and our welcoming dinner. We now have our full complement of 36.  Big but friendly group.

JUST FOR FUN