Apartheid Museum

Another place I wanted to check off of my tourist checklist in Joburg, was the Apartheid Museum. I went today with a coworker. She is a "coloured" (it still makes me feel weird to say that, but it's completely normal to use that descriptor here and the topic of race comes up a lot in daily life) South African and had never been, so it was great to be able to experience this with her. Both of us were deeply moved by the exhibits, starting with us entering the museum through two different entrances - such a troubling feeling. I learned new things about the history and the main figures of the era. It is an extremely well curated museum.

It struck me, that Mandela during his time in prison found a way to reject violence, push away any notion of retaliation and didn't gain the ego that is so often the downfall for democracy following independence in many nations. He truly is one of the greatest leaders of all time. He was able to find an inner strength during his time in prison that allowed him to seek peace and reconciliation in the face of such evil. He was able to forgive and he was charismatic enough to impart that same forward thinking upon an entire nation of people who had suffered so much.

It was so interesting to see how those outside of prison were able to create an environment which made it impossible for the white government to be able to continue to lead. Many lost their lives doing this, but it created a space where De Klerk needed to release Mandela and bring this powerful political prisoner to the negotiating table in order to bring a resolution.One figure who resonates with me is Steve Biko. He was murdered senselessly in prison for trying to bring a greater consciousness to the black community about their own self worth; a brilliant mind lost too soon. In seeing the images of violence against the majority of people in South Africa, I am awed by the way the nation was able to start down the path of healing, a healing that is still carrying on today.

One portion of the museum showcased events taking place worldwide during the height of Apartheid and it was so crazy to think that the Americans were landing on the moon, all while black South Africans were still being pushed into slums and refused a proper education or living wage. It really struck me how recent these events took place. It's only been two decades since Mandela was elected the first black President of South Africa and this country still has a long way to go towards building true equality.

The high unemployment rate and weak education system, are two major issues to tackle. These issues obviously lead to high poverty levels and also bread an environment of crime; people are just trying to survive. It takes time for a nation of disenfranchised people to build up, but there is a rising black middle class and the government is trying to tackle the issues of unemployment through the Black Economic Empowerment programme. Among other things, the programme states that in order to do business in South Africa you have to have a good BEE rating, which increases with the number of black people you hire. The only issue with BEE, is that with an almost 50% high school drop out rate, the country is lacking well educated, highly skilled workers to fill all these positions. Major education reform needs to be the long term solution to the issues here.