Our last day in Cape Town and Africa

  Cape Town, South Africa
Saturday, February 25, 2006

Hello Everyone,

Our three months in Africa has come to an end. Sometimes we sit and reflect and it seems like we left home ages ago, other times it seems like it has gone by so quick.

Today we went to two different small museums. The first one is called the District 6 musuem. It shows the history of the District 6 area of Cape Town and the events that took place. This was one of the many areas during the apartheid that was designated as a white only area. Thousands of non whites, some of whose families had lived in the area for over 100 years and longer were forced out of their homes and off their land. They had been there long before any white man had. They were moved out to designated areas where they were left with next to nothing. No running water or electricity. They used to be able to walk to work in the city center withing 15 minutes. Now they would have to catch trains to get into work.

Many elderly people died of the shock and did not even make the move. The areas were leveled and demolished where their houses were. This was all going on while others were still making their plans to leave or awaiting forced eviction. Many people died because buildings fell down around them. It turned into an area of complete demise.

It was really hard for us to imagine all of this taking place as we read and looked at pictures in the museum. How could people be treated like this? On the floor of the museum is a huge map of the District 6 area. Former residents of the area have come to write comments on it next to where they lived on the streets. They have written about memories of where they used to play as children or where their house was. Today some of the former residents of the area have been able to make claims to the land they once owned. It is only after coming to South Africa that we are beginning to understand everything that went on during the apartheid.

We went to another place in Cape Town called the Bo-Kaap area. It is predominantly a Muslim section of the town. A lot of the houses are painted in very bright colours. It has a small museum that tells about the life of the Muslim people and their history in Cape Town.

A street in the Bo Kaap area

A street in the Bo Kaap area 2

A street in the Bo Kaap area 3

A street in the Bo Kaap area 4

Split down the middle

This country is so full of diversity in all aspects, religion, ethnic backgrounds and political views. It is such a complex place that in 2 months we only have a very basic understanding of its history.

They call South Africa the world with in a country. It really is, both because of its people and its landscape. In 2 months we have seen a lot, but we could easily spend a year here trying to take it all in. We hope to come back some day. There are so many other countries in Africa we want to explore. The people are what really makes Africa though. They say you will leave Africa with a little piece of it in your heart. We definitely will.

Our plea we make for other people coming to any poverty stricken part of Africa or any country for that matter. Please do not come here as many people do and give money or items out to begging children or adults. This only encourages a lifestyle of begging. Some parents here actually keep their children from attending school because they can send them out to beg and make them money. You have to think of the consequences of doing this. It is not helping anyone in the long term.

We have also seen many tourists handing out candy to the children. In some areas I would hate to guess how much candy the children get in a day. We have been to some places where they speak no English, but they can say the words, sweets, sweets! They have no dental care here, we have seen many rotten teeth. We too wanted to bring many things with us when we decided that we would travel to Africa. We were told not to for these very reasons. If you really want to help then donate to a reputable (key word reputable) charity or organization. There are plenty of them. Or you can donate your time at many organizations as well. You can also sponsor a child. There is always question of this back home. Do they really get the money. We have had first hand experience with travelers who have sponsored children and have come to meet them. They really do get clothing for school, books, and many other items for day to day living.

Goodbye from Africa.
Next stop back to London, then what? Good question, we don't even know where we are sleeping for the night! Or where we are going next. We plan to find a cheap flight when we get there. That's all part of the adventure!