Soweto Township

Yesterday was a really tough day for me. We visited the township of Soweto, a very impoverished area that black South Africans were forced to move to during the apartheid area. Terrible atrocities occurred there, and in many ways are still happening. What struck me most, however, wasn't the never-ending shanty-towns or people begging in the street. It was the incredible happiness that exudes from the people if this country. Despite all they have been through, they have managed to forgive. Not to forget what happened, but to forgive so that they and their country can move on. It was extremely heartwarming. I talked with several people, and had great conversations about their lives before and after the critical year of 1994. I'm inspired by their faith in humanity, and hope that circumstances continue to improve for the people of Soweto and other townships throughout the country.

I'm currently in Durban, a coastal city in Kwazulu-Natal. Tomorrow I hope to put my feet in the warm waters of the Indian ocean. I'll try to blog again in a few days from Cape Town.