I’ll be completely honest – I don’t know many particulars about South African history. There is quite a bit to learn. Like about towns and townships. In South Africa, the whites live in towns, just like one would imagine. Each town then has a township – a settlement on the edge of town where the blacks and coloreds, under apartheid, legally had to live in order to be separate. Since the end of apartheid, the laws have changed but living situations haven’t. Most blacks still live in townships, a place best described as slums. Tiny one-room houses made from sheets of metal and cheap wood line narrow streets of dirt. Shops are set up in similar buildings. Kayamandi is the township to the town of Stellenbosch.
Side note: South Africa is big on the buddy system. It’s not safe to walk around by yourself, even in the bubble of Stellenbosch. We were told to always stay in groups when going anywhere – and two girls definitely don’t count as a group after dark. There is a “green zone” along the campus that is patrolled at night to ensure students get home safely from dinner/bars. Trains are not exactly safe and you shouldn’t be on them too early or too late (think 4:00pm late). Still, with all these warnings, I don’t feel unsafe – caution simply needs to be exercised.
Now imagine being dropped off in the middle of Kayamandi after being told to leave all your possessions (including cells, watches, and jewelry) in the vehicle. That is exactly what happened to me yesterday as part of my Service Learning. I should probably explain a bit more. The reason why I chose this university is because it offers a Certificate Program in Community Engagement. Essentially, Service Learning is two intense theoretical classes combined with working in the community (ie townships) six hours a week. As the official despriction states, "The academic rigor of this course is high and students are discouraged to enroll if they are only seeking a volunteer opportunity." Placements range from HIV/AIDS clinics to community centers to after-school programs. Yesterday was our orientation and I did not expect what occurred.
After being handed a sheet of instructions, one of which was no talking, we were driven to various unknown spots and left for 30 minutes – interacting with locals only after 15 minutes of quiet observations. These spots are similar to where our placements will be (which we have yet to find out about). I was left in front of a community center in Kayamandi, right as children were walking home from school. I was nervous at first, but those kids quickly put me at ease. Not afraid of me, they immediately approached and starting touching my hair and practicing their English if they knew any. Some shy, some bold but all were happy to be my friend. Happy about life in general - ordinary kids. Their innocence astounded me – they were clearly unaware of the conditions in which they lived and the world that was out there. Even being on a hill with a grand view of Stellenbosch’s town of plenty below, the atmosphere in the township was light and upbeat.
Instead of the despair, poverty, and squalor I expected, I found a people content in their surroundings. Their homes may be small and made of practically nothing, but they are neat and clean. Parents have no fear of letting children walk home from school on their own. A friendly wave and smile are quickly given to every passer – even the white girl strangely plopped down in their midst. I have always known money can’t buy everything, but Kayamandi is a shining reminder of that. Seeing those beautiful happy people excites me for what is to come this semester as I receive my placement and begin my own work.
