cape flats

On Monday I went on a tour of Cape Flats, which is the township area where most people live in Cape Town. Cape Town has a population of about 3 million, of the total population 20% are white, 30% are black, and the remaining 50% are of other races like Indian, Sri Lankan, Indoneisan (which is usually called "coloured" here). The majority of people who are are black and coloured live in the Cape Flats townships. The roots of these townships began with Langa, which is the oldest black township in South Africa and began in 1927. Khayelitsha is the largest black township and over a million people living there (one source says up to 1.8 million). Most of the people living in the black townships are from the Eastern Cape of South Africa, a rural area where the people came from looking for work and a better life. The coloured communities have roots from the District Six relocation which I wrote about earlier. These townships and others were a result of the apartheid government. There remains a huge seperation between the black townships and the "coloured" townships, not to mention the white communities in the city and suburbs. The impact of apartheid racism is still felt and obvious in these very seperate communties.

My guide for the day was Christoph, who spends most of his time working in the prisons and communities giving alternatives to violence workshops. A huge need here! He gives tours when he is able. He finds it very important to connect those on the tours with people who live in the townships. We spent a few hours sharing a meal and conversation with three people who live in the Khayelitsha township. It was a blessed time hearing their stories and walking through their neighborhood. Anele is a man who shared his dream of opening a bed and breakfast in the community (yes, tourists do spend a night in B & B's here!). Stephen has education and training in computers, but has difficulty finding work. We also visited a couple of township churches and ministries actively responding to the huge needs in the community - AIDS, children, hunger, etc. The people we met were wonderful and were an example of hope for these communities and people. I am so grateful for the day.

Today is Human Rights Day here (see previous post). I was unable to connect with any street workers who spend time with the kids on the streets. I did learn about one area right on the coast where many kids will hang out. I just walked the boardwalk of this beach area and saw many boys sleeping and hanging out. I'm sure many of these boys come from the townships looking for more to life. Sadly, I am too aware of what awaits them on the streets here (just like others around the world).

Well, if you are still with me, thanks for reading this long post. I head back to Johannesburg for a few final days with the Biedebachs before I head to India on Friday night. More soon!