This post will be split into two posts,
or perhaps I will write a follow on post with more detail because I’d like to
write about this morning, but the events of this afternoon I still need time to
process before I can write productively about them.
 |
| the graffiti here has to be approved by local authorities |
 |
| Rubble from different parts of the district |
This morning however, we woke up quite
early to drive over to the district six museum.
District six is a district from Cape Town that prior to apartheid was
known for being a very multicultural and effective community. When apartheid law began to be enforced the
area was razed, and over a period of 15 years more than 60,000 people were
forcibly removed from their homes and made to move to segregated areas of the
city.  |
| rubble from the destruction of district 6 homes litters the whole district. Much was left where it fell. |
These forced moves, and the passbooks,
which restricted the movements of Black and Coloured peoples, were some of the
primary weapons used by the apartheid government in their systematic racism and
oppression of South African people. The
stories and oral histories shared about the forced movements were truly
horrifying, and parallels could easily be drawn between this injustice and some
of forced evictions that occurred during the Nazi regime of WWII.
After touring the original district six
area and the museum we began walking toward the greenmarket square to grab
lunch and scope out the area. On the way
toward the square we encountered a march being held by the Muslim community of
Cape Town over the recent deaths of four boys in the Gaza area. Although I’m not intimately involved in the
Israeli/ Palestinian conflict seeing all of
these thousands of people flooding the streets of Cape Town to show support for
their brothers and sisters was truly moving.
The passion that could be heard in their chanting, and the deep sadness
that they feel over the conflict and oppression was obvious.
In all my life I’ve never been to any protests
or even seen anything as intense as the gathering of these people. It was really quite moving, though it did
make our advisors and some of the group quite understandably nervous.
After the protest had past we made our
way to a market for lunch, and had a lovely meal all together discussing our
day. After lunch unfortunately I was
robbed. Honestly it’s my own fault. Despite educating myself about the risks,
common scams, and dangers present in South Africa I let my guard down, and
using physical intimidation, and isolation two men did manage to take my debit
card. Rest assured that we immediately
were able to close the card and I will be refunded the several hundred dollars
in fraudulent charges that were made. Also be aware that I am safe and unharmed and
that the group I was with has been very supportive. I’m sure the reason I was chosen as a mark
was due to my size and obvious tourist status, and while I am still struggling
to navigate the personal and practical difficulties associated with this
incident I truly am well, and refuse from pure stubbornness perhaps to allow
this to negatively impact my trip or my views on South Africa.
Once again I’ve let it become quite
late, so I’ll be heading to bed.
Goodnight all!
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