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Monday May 10, 2010

Life in a Township - Please read now now!

My project was working with special needs children in a care unit called Sinethemba meaning 'we have hope'. The school was opened recently, however previously had been located in another township a few minutes away called Ocean View. Though more 'built up' than other townships I saw, Ocean View has many social problems, drug addiction is high in the area with a lot of parents passing their addictions onto young children and there is a lot of anti social behaviour. Graffiti and robbery was common on the school site and hence the owners made the decision to move it to the sister township Masiphumellele, a black township. 'Masi' was seemingly more deprived than Ocean View in the sense that shacks and poor housing was more extreme in the area, however during the time I spent there it was also very colourful and full of life and in this way I think a better site for the school.

I didn't actually realise I would be working in a township until my first day (it was a little late by then to turn back) and I admit I was extremely worried about how I would be received by the inhabitants. Crime was also high in the area with other volunteers I worked with at one point being approached a knifepoint for their valuables. From the first day I carried a purse, which clipped on the inside of my trousers and always dressed conservatively. I think this was important both to avoid any attention and also as a sign of respect. Unemployment is extreme in the township with the majority of people out of work and so to walk around with hundred pound camera's and lots of money is not the brightest idea. On the very odd occasion I took my camera into the school the staff didn't understand how to use them or even which way to hold them, it is a luxury they don't have the chance to experience.

However I don't want people to be put off working in a township because it was one of the main highlights of my trip, there is no better way to see culture then spending time with local people. From the taxi buses, with their personalities (e.g. sexilicious!), drivers with pink hair and funky designs and rickety old vans disguised as taxi's, the people who are so laid back and on African Time, 'now' means any time in the future, 'now now' means NOW, and the general life and music within the area its an amazing place to be.

Where the local's are concerned some may stare for the first couple of times you are there- it is very uncommon for white people to travel by mini bus taxi (I often received comments such as you're brave) let alone enter a township, but the people who live there will welcome you and look out for you and I was there for ten weeks and enjoyed every day.

 

 

Posted by Natalie ( 5:18 PM )
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