South Africa intrigued me. I saw South Africa from other lenses, other people’s experiences, through media outlets, the news, etc. I thought I was prepared for the South Africa I would see. I thought I was aware of what I would experience. But I was wrong. I was so wrong.
It was beautiful. That’s not up for debate.
But, where was the end to Apartheid? I thought that was over? I thought the division between white and black people was done. I thought South Africa had changed. The very first thing I saw on my journey were the townships of Soweto.
Black people were still living in Apartheid. Kids were outdoors playing with rocks instead of at school, moms, with babies both on their backs and on their fronts, trying to cook a meal in the dark with a pot on two rocks and a small fire in between. No electricity, No carpets in any of the “homes”, just the ground you saw before you stepped into the home. You may see one or two beds which was enough for a twelve person occupancy and barely fit into the house which was the size of my 6 by 8 ft closet. HOW?
And to make matters worse, when you look across the way, you see middle-class neighborhoods, with driveways and nicely mowed lawns. What a way to remind the black community daily of what they don’t have or will never be able to have. In South Africa, most blacks have lived fro shack to shack. Literally.
Schools and work are so far away from home, families can’t afford to send kids to school and if they are, they are walking 5 hours a day, 2.5 hours each way. Most black commuters are more than an hour away from work and it intentionally slices an unreasonable percent from their monthly earnings. Seeing this with my own eyes, was not what I saw on social media. I didn’t hear this on the news, I didn’t read this in anyone’s blog. This was the South Africa I never knew. My heart ached for the little children.
I left Soweto to explore South Africa’s beautiful landscape. I mean after all of that, I needed something to lift my spirits. And I have to say, California’s coast doesn’t stand a chance in comparison to Capetown’s Penisula. It was stunning, I mean absolutely breathtaking!
I am always so awed by natural beauty. Being around nature is so enlightening and inspiring. You become a dreamer, you feel free, the world feels bigger, all of your impossible goals seem possible, your whole mood changes. It’s an unbeatable feeling. South Africa gave me all of that. And days after I returned, I couldn’t shake the feeling.
I later began to wonder about all the people who will never see South Africa. Like many countries in Africa, it was overflowing with signs of God’s existence. Mountain tops at Table Mountain and The Cape of Good Hope, perfectly blue oceans, perfect wild animals, a diversity of food, creative music and soulful dancers… it. had. it. all.
The highlight of my trip to South Africa, I have to say, is Table Mountain. It was overwhelming and none of the pictures I saw prior, including my own, does this place justice. It was phenomenal. Table Mountain alone was very large; you can hike and walk this mountain most of the day. I definitely ran out of energy during this part of my journey as my body struggled to balance the different temperatures. It was chilly at the top but all the hiking also made me cold. I was just confused. But the 360-degree views were well worth it!
I spent multiple mornings, sitting on the balcony of my hotel gazing at Camps Bay, a place I felt I deserved to inhabit, and also privileged to experience. I watched the sun rise and I chased the sunset. God, you are so good!
Aside from my experience in Soweto and all the immigrant Uber drivers I rode with during the entirety of my South Africa trip, I was amazed at the natural landscape of the country. It is nothing like anything I’ve seen before. It went above and beyond my expectations.
Now, it’s your turn. Have you been to South Africa?
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