Random Acts in Soweto
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Soweto, which means “South Western Townships” for short, is about 45 miles south of Johannesburg. This suburb of 3.5 million people is where former President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, both Nobel Peace Prize recipients, grew up on Tilakazi Street. Soweto is also where one of the most violent demonstrations in South Africa’s history took place. Police opened fire on students who were staging a peaceful protest against the apartheid government’s policy to enforce education in Afrikaans rather than English.
More than 500 students were killed and more than 2,000 were injured during the Soweto Riots which started June 16, 1976. Soweto is where Cromwell, our driver, takes us to spend the day and Soweto is where Juanita commits her second series of random acts. “We’re gonna get out and make a deal with the ladies at the marketplace,” she says when approaching an intersection near the Soweto campus of the University of Johannesburg. She notices several merchants sitting under umbrellas selling produce and other items. Cromwell tells us that after a day of sitting and waiting for sales, the merchants are lucky to make as much as three rand a day. Rand is South African currency.
In U.S. currency, three rand is less than one dollar.Juanita strolls over to the first table where a woman is selling something other than produce. The woman sells telephone service to people in the community who cannot afford a phone. “I have something for you,” Juanita she tells her after making small talk. She hands the telephone woman $50. The telephone woman gasps in disbelief. Quickly regaining her composure she thanks Juanita profusely. Juanita gives money to each of the seven merchants at the marketplace.Nonia Nyaken can’t contain her excitement over the money she has received. “I’m going to buy meat for supper for my children,” she says.Nonia said her husband passed away a few years ago and she is raising three children alone. She has been selling produce at the marketplace for three years. “You have your business here,” Juanita tells her.“That’s important. ”Juanita’s gift made Cnytha Nyakeni happy enough to call it a day. “I’m going home, I’m packing, I’m blessed,” Cnytha said as she started taking down her leopard print umbrella and packing her goods. “Thankyou. You just made my day.”
Sylvia Tshabalala and Nthabiseng Mokwena who are business students from the university stopped by the marketplace to purchase something to eat. They didn’t expect to walk away with extra money. “Maybe this will help you buy some books,” Juanita said when she tucked a few rand in their hands. We are there for about 30 minutes when we notice groups of children heading home from school. Juanita sees this as a good opportunity for Telvin to participate. Her assistants pull one of the large suitcases from the bus. They are filled with school supplies. Cromwell shouts for the children to come over. “Abancani” he saysin Xhosa, his tribal language and one that is known for its clicking sound. The children rush over and Cromwell makes them form a line. Telvin is standing next to the suitcase poised to hand out the gifts. “Go ahead baby, tell them you love them so you can feel the energy,” Juanita says. Telvin complies and hands out the supplies untilhe runs out. By 2:30 p.m. we are back on the bus and feeling pretty good.
Regina Mundy Church
We stop briefly at Regina Mundy Church. This was the church where the students of the Soweto Riots found haven from the police. The police were not allowed to enter the doors of the church but that didn't stop them from firing bullets and tear gas through the windows.
Emanuel Mabaso, the church guide, showed us a few pieces of the windows that had the bullet holes during a tour of the church and brief history session. Stained glass windows have replaced the ones that were damaged by the police. A guest book containing names of some of the thousands of visitors tothe historic church. Amongst the most notable signatures were Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton and Chris Rock.
Visit: http://www.randomactsfoundation.com/story.html
Watch: http://www.ibroadcasts.tv/randomacts.html
Soweto, which means “South Western Townships” for short, is about 45 miles south of Johannesburg. This suburb of 3.5 million people is where former President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, both Nobel Peace Prize recipients, grew up on Tilakazi Street. Soweto is also where one of the most violent demonstrations in South Africa’s history took place. Police opened fire on students who were staging a peaceful protest against the apartheid government’s policy to enforce education in Afrikaans rather than English.
More than 500 students were killed and more than 2,000 were injured during the Soweto Riots which started June 16, 1976. Soweto is where Cromwell, our driver, takes us to spend the day and Soweto is where Juanita commits her second series of random acts. “We’re gonna get out and make a deal with the ladies at the marketplace,” she says when approaching an intersection near the Soweto campus of the University of Johannesburg. She notices several merchants sitting under umbrellas selling produce and other items. Cromwell tells us that after a day of sitting and waiting for sales, the merchants are lucky to make as much as three rand a day. Rand is South African currency.
In U.S. currency, three rand is less than one dollar.Juanita strolls over to the first table where a woman is selling something other than produce. The woman sells telephone service to people in the community who cannot afford a phone. “I have something for you,” Juanita she tells her after making small talk. She hands the telephone woman $50. The telephone woman gasps in disbelief. Quickly regaining her composure she thanks Juanita profusely. Juanita gives money to each of the seven merchants at the marketplace.Nonia Nyaken can’t contain her excitement over the money she has received. “I’m going to buy meat for supper for my children,” she says.Nonia said her husband passed away a few years ago and she is raising three children alone. She has been selling produce at the marketplace for three years. “You have your business here,” Juanita tells her.“That’s important. ”Juanita’s gift made Cnytha Nyakeni happy enough to call it a day. “I’m going home, I’m packing, I’m blessed,” Cnytha said as she started taking down her leopard print umbrella and packing her goods. “Thankyou. You just made my day.”
Sylvia Tshabalala and Nthabiseng Mokwena who are business students from the university stopped by the marketplace to purchase something to eat. They didn’t expect to walk away with extra money. “Maybe this will help you buy some books,” Juanita said when she tucked a few rand in their hands. We are there for about 30 minutes when we notice groups of children heading home from school. Juanita sees this as a good opportunity for Telvin to participate. Her assistants pull one of the large suitcases from the bus. They are filled with school supplies. Cromwell shouts for the children to come over. “Abancani” he saysin Xhosa, his tribal language and one that is known for its clicking sound. The children rush over and Cromwell makes them form a line. Telvin is standing next to the suitcase poised to hand out the gifts. “Go ahead baby, tell them you love them so you can feel the energy,” Juanita says. Telvin complies and hands out the supplies untilhe runs out. By 2:30 p.m. we are back on the bus and feeling pretty good.
Regina Mundy Church
We stop briefly at Regina Mundy Church. This was the church where the students of the Soweto Riots found haven from the police. The police were not allowed to enter the doors of the church but that didn't stop them from firing bullets and tear gas through the windows.
Emanuel Mabaso, the church guide, showed us a few pieces of the windows that had the bullet holes during a tour of the church and brief history session. Stained glass windows have replaced the ones that were damaged by the police. A guest book containing names of some of the thousands of visitors tothe historic church. Amongst the most notable signatures were Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton and Chris Rock.
Visit: http://www.randomactsfoundation.com/story.html
Watch: http://www.ibroadcasts.tv/randomacts.html
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