November 6th at 2:30 PM we will be having our third information session for this upcoming Maymester. If you are interested or know anyone who is interested share this information with them!
COVID-19 Report: Karen from Cape Town
One of DDCE’s longstanding international partners, Bethel Projects, led by Karen Maarman, is providing hot meals to women, children and families as Covid-19 ravages through the Cape Flats in Cape Town, South Africa.
Karen has requested our support to help her purchase a 3-burner gas stove as well as food supplies so she can continue to feed her community. Check out the video to learn more and donate directly to Bethel Projects via paypal @ bethelprojwoman@gmail.com.
Maymester Guest Lecturer at University of Cape Town
by Thais Moore
Dr. Leonard Moore invited Enver Daniels, Chief State Law Advisor of South Africa to speak to the Maymester students on Wednesday. Daniels’ position is the American equivalent to a U.S. Attorney General. Daniels was instrumental in helping to write the new South African Constitution of 1994 when the new democratic government began, after apartheid ended.
Colonialism and the apartheid history are personal for Daniels and therefore his role in drafting the new state constitution was vital. During apartheid he and his family were forceably removed from their homes and neighborhoods into what is known as a township–in the more rural parts of the city. Whites did not want to live near the Blacks (those of pure African decent) nor the Coloureds (those of mixed races), and so they would come through with bulldozers and flatten entire neighborhoods forcing people off the land. In many of the townships, that still exist today, water supply and toilets are communal, shared by 12 or so families.
Property values where Whites took over, on shorelines and mountainous regions, are now soaring. Daniels explained how Whites illegally gained control of the land, and then set up laws to keep blacks from regaining the territory. Many of the students and staff raised many questions.
Daniels currently works with all branches of government in South Africa and is a long time member of the African National Congress (ANC).
Apartheid’s Internal Passport System
by Thais Moore
Blacks and Coloureds were required to carry passports at all times. This apartheid regulation was an internal passport system that restricted Blacks and Coloureds from leaving the township; whenever they left the township, they had to have this in hand. If asked to show a passport, and one did not have it with them, that individual would be arrested and sometimes never seen again. Our tour guide Melisizwe Lugulwona explained to us that in mornings on the way to work, thousands of people from the townships stood in lines to show their passes before getting on buses and trains to commute to work. Lines could take up to 3 hours or more. This process was repeated on the return home. This phenomenon marked the beginning of the deterioration of the family. Mothers and fathers who were headed to work had to leave home at 3 and 4am to get to work by 7am, and not return home until 8pm or later. Children were therefore at home alone and raising themselves. Parents had no time to prepare breakfast, dinner, help with homework, do housework, or raise a family.
Cape Town: The Disparateness is Drastic
by Thais Moore
This place is absolutely breathtaking and at the same time horridly depressing. The mountains, the coast, the landscape and greenery, including the people all make up some of God’s best creations. Unfortunately, though, apartheid’s mark is still evident. On Tuesday, the students and staff broke up into groups and did volunteer work at day cares, schools, community centers, and churches. Our group visited a township. I’m literally speechless. I seriously can’t describe it. Yes, I’ve seen pictures before, but to step into someone’s home within the township was quite different.
Everywhere we go, officials, store keepers, university staff, guest lecturers, waitresses are telling us to be very aware of your surroundings–that we can get mugged or robbed or stabbed at any point. As beautiful as the neighborhoods are, one cannot see any of the homes. ALL the homes are surrounded by high brick walls or medal bars, and most have either very sharp spikes at the top or electric wires. I have yet to see a front yard!
Tomorrow, the students and staff will travel out to Robben Island where Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. Here we are below at the train station on our way to Simon’s Town.
