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Through the Door of No Return tour
of South Africa, Senegal and The Gambia was an educational experience that
offered a better understanding of our common humanity and cultural separation.
The fourteen day journey to three countries began on October 17 and ended
October 31st, 2005. This tour was sponsored by the National Black Catholic
Congress and the Executive Director; Ms. Valerie Washington served as our
official host. We were also honored to have with us Bishop Edward Braxton,
Diocese of Belleville, who provided us with a series of mini educational
lectures on the realities and complexities of Africa. There were twenty-one
participants from across the United States on this journey. South Africa
has one of the most complex diversified population mixes in the world and
has been referred to as "The Rainbow Nation". As we mingled among the various
cultural groups; Blacks, Whites, Coloured (people of mixed race), Indians
and Asians, the physical and psychological remains of Apartheid became apparent.
Many of the townships and neighborhoods are still segregated and the blacks
are the poorest of the poor. Soweto is a city of contrast, consisting of
luxurious mansions physically located across the road from tiny shanties,
green fields and streams are just around the corner from piles of garbage.
Having lunch in a local shebeen and visiting a Bed and Breakfast in Khyelitsha
is how we discovered the history, culture and way of life in a township.
In South Africa, education is seen as a privilege for those who can afford
it and the poverty level is quite large among the uneducated. South Africa
is noted for its wine industry, diamond mines and the world renowned Kruger
National Park. Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks
as the best in the world. Gaming tours observing the behavior of the "Big
Five" served as a reminder of the animalist behaviors humans share with
the animals. The "Big Five" consist of the Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard, Lion
and the Rhinoceros. |
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