Week 7: Peer Research

This week, I poked my head into three items that my classmates researched last week.

The busts of Paul Kruger, JBM Hertzog, DF Malan, JG Strijdom and Hendrik Verwoerd overlook the town of Orania.

As Americans, and hence historically anti-apartheid (credits to Bianca Alcorta for finding that article), we rarely hear from the pro-apartheid side, namely those of Afrikan decent. Elisa Benavidas found what I found to be a fascinating article on an all white, ethnically Afrikan town of Orania. Afrikaners are the descendants of the original French, Dutch, and German settlers who settled in South Africa in the 17th century and eventually came to establish the apartheid system to maintain dominance in the country. Orania was established just shortly before the end of apartheid in 1991, and has been a mecca for Afrikaners who felt displaced by the heralding of the new democratic system. Amide interesting facts about the independent infrastructure of the town, low crime rate, strict rules, and eerie atmosphere emerges the Afrikan view of apartheid. Many in the town found nothing wrong with the system and felt displaced by the end of it. One man complained of "reverse racism" and having difficulty find a job. Whereas most of the world praise FW de Klerk for helping to bring an end to apartheid before Nelson Mandela succeeded him as president of South Africa, the owner of the local bar blames him for "the plight of [the Afrikan] people." Oriania even has busts of old Afrikan leaders overlooking the town, a testament to how the spirit of apartheid still lives on.

I have heard the term "the lost generation" used in several contexts now. In an article that Denice Carpenter shared, it refers to the generation after apartheid who still struggle to get an education. Not only do about half of all students drop out at some point with many failing matric exams but many schools also end up shutting down from lack of funding, especially in rural areas and small provinces. Thus many of the Lost Generation ultimately do manual labor or criminal/gang activities. Fortunately, generous efforts from individuals like Oprah Winfrey and nonprofit organizations have made strides to provide for the education of South Africa, but much work remains.

In another look at the young adults of South Africa today, a short documentary that Connie Garza found titled "South Africa's Post Apartheid Generation" examined where many people in my own generation are in life and their viewpoints on politics and apartheid. Many of the young men and women interviewed are now working in the arts and were born near the end of apartheid. Their parents all grew up and lived in the apartheid system with some who participated in anti-apartheid movements and one mother who was nearly killed. It still strikes me how recently apartheid was abolished, and how the varying opinions on the degree of change since. Nearly all who were interviewed showed a drive to become successful in this New South Africa.