Submitted by Nicole Virzi on the 2024 Winter SOCI/CRJU program in South Africa…
This past week I have seen a well rounded depiction of Pretoria, South Africa, from enjoying some of the fine dining here and shopping, along with seeing some of the not so fortunate parts of South Africa. Our program had the opportunity to tour the Township of Soweto. Soweto is the shortened word for South West Township, and it was originally created during the years of Apartheid. Apartheid was a period in the mid-1900s when strict segregation laws were enacted. People were required to live in certain areas depending on their race. Soweto was a designated black township during the years of Apartheid, and 2 million Black South Africans lived in a 20 km squared area. Most areas in the township do not have running water in their houses nor electricity, yet they face major pollution from the power plant that powers the city of Johannesburg where the white people lived. Initially due to implicit stereotypes I have, I was expecting the township to be crime ridden, as the township is very high in poverty. However, the crime rate is relatively low, because the people of Soweto are extremely kind and look out for each other. The word Ubuntu, is a zulu word that means “I am because we are.” Ubuntu is deeply tied with the culture of South Africa, and the community looks out for everyone as whole. (Submitted on January 9, 2024)