Fighting for Education in South Africa
Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa
My journey towards Interculture Connection began with a church led global excursion to South Africa. I was about thirteen years old, and I travelled with my grandma and a group of about 30 people in her church congregation. As I waited in John F. Kennedy Airport keeping myself entertained as I always do, I had no idea this introductory exploration would ignite an awareness and appreciation for myself and the world. On this trip, I discovered the things I enjoy most about traveling; discussing with locals about their everyday lives in contrast to the normalcies that of my own country, admiring the natural beauty of the region of where I am, and learning the history of my surroundings.
The most influential part of my trip was to the Hector Pieterson Museum in Soweto. In 1976, the South African government decided that schools would teach students in the Afrikaans language, eradicating the use of English as many students had previously learned. This change would force predominantly Black students to learn the language of their Dutch colonial oppressors, as well as complicate already difficult to understand subject matter. This decision prompted about 20,000 middle and high school aged students to protest against the prejudicial changes to their education, known as the Soweto Uprising. Twelve-year-old Hector Pieterson was the first child protestor to be killed at the hands of the apartheid police during this demonstration.
As I walked through the Hector Pieterson Museum, I felt overwhelming connected to these kids. The students protesting were the same age as me at the time and they were protesting for the right to be educated. Protesting for autonomy of their education. Protesting for themselves, and for the South African students that would arrive after them. This resonated with me because I had never thought of my daily education as a privilege, something I would have to fight for. As an American, going to school was something I just did; it was the only thing I was expected to do by everyone around me. These children native to the city I was visiting were the same age as me, and some of them died as children. Children fighting to learn. As I took in this moment, I understood that I must always take advantage of the privileges I have had educationally. From graduating high school to obtaining my bachelor’s degree. I had opportunities that the children of Soweto unfortunately lost their lives for.
Ever since I visited the Hector Pieterson Museum at 12 years old, I have personally and quietly dedicated my educational achievements to the children who died that day during the Soweto Uprising. May their acts for fair and just learning never go unsaid or unnoticed but forever acknowledged and respected.
