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Tuesday Aug 24, 2010

'Our Free South Africa 1994'

“They are my friends”

The man stood in front of me was a middle aged man with a peaceful attitude, he said that he lived his life with a belief in reconciliation, he was inspired by Gandhi who said that he wanted to seek reconciliation and friendship with each of his opponents. It was kind of appropriate to refer to a man who had spent many years in South Africa and became inspired to fight for equality after suffering the discriminations of Indians and Black South African’s in the country during his time there.

The friends he spoke of were guards, on an island off the coast of South Africa, the guards who isolated political activists who were brave and passionate about freeing their country from the racial segregation of apartheid.

To listen to a man who had no grudges against people who had been a part of taking away his basic human rights and isolating him because of his beliefs was really admirable.

Robben Island was an ‘attraction’ I was never enthusiastic about visiting during my time in South Africa, more because of ignorance I think, I never knew its significance – I had little knowledge in terms of the country’s history, not even understanding the term Apartheid. I visited the Island with other volunteers during my final week and having been there it became the day that meant the most to me of my time in the country.  Driving around the island listening to a speaker who had a great knowledge of the Island’s history I found myself scribbling dates and names down to allow me to research more when I got home, he asked for the different countries, which we came from and linked each of our origins to the island that made you understand its importance in history.

Looking into Nelson Mandela’s cell was an experience I won’t forget but I honestly valued the speakers insights a lot more, I vaguely remember an episode of ANTM when two models argue over who gets to open the cell during a visit to South Africa and I think they missed the most importance insight into the island.

I could never begin to understand what the prisoners went through but the visit made me respect South Africa as a free country, I bought a t-shirt on my final day stating: 'Our Free South Africa 1994' and I knew I had learnt something great during my trip and I appreciate that a lot.

Posted by Natalie ( 6:04 PM )
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