The Reality of SA's Townships

(I can't seem to upload photos- but some to come!)

Our lectures and personal research about South Africa's extreme poverty and unemployment rates couldn't prepare us for what we were to experience at Langa- a township just outside Cape Town. When we arrived in Langa we were met by "Sugar," a 30-year old native of Langa. Sugar gave us a guided tour of the township, making note not only of the community skills development projects but also inside information on life in the township; we learned about education, the local youth health clinic, crime and poverty.

Throughout the entire tour, and even into the shanty section of Langa, we were accompanied by little boys and girls eager for a photo or a hand to hold. In particular, the children were amazed by Arma's iPad and flocked to him in groups. Earlier in the week we had learned that there is no welfare system for the poor; however, there is a welfare-like system for families with small children. I couldn't help but think that this social system might be a factor in the surprising number of children we met and saw throughout Langa. 

As we finished of tour of Langa, we were met by our Romer Tour guides, who came bearing oranges. The image of our tourguides giving out oranges to the children is a sight I'll never forget; the way the children jumped, pushed and shouted for a single orange served as a reminder of the destitute conditions they live in and the simple goods that I must never take for granted. Our tour of Langa encouraged me to think critically about job creation in South Africa and hope for a life outside the shanty towns for the children of Langa.