Our visit this week to Gugulethu once
again have revealed the many contrasts of the reconstruction of the
post-apartheid society. Firstly, there was the really poor and the
affluent. The poor stay in really tiny shacks with no running water or
proper sanitation whilst the affluent stays in big houses with high
walls and alarm systems (See photo 1 and 2 in the Gugulethu Folder).
Secondly, Gugulethu also have a very rich struggle history. Most of the prominent ANC leaders of Cape Town are from Gugs (as it is informally known). One of the most well-known sites in Gugs that are visited by many tourists is the Gugulethu Seven Memorial. However, I have noticed that some youngsters have vandalised the monument by writing on it. This shows the ignorance of the youth towards their history, a history that has been written in blood (see photo 3 and 4 in the Gugulethu Folder).
Thirdly, there are those that nothing to eat whilst there are those that have so much to eat that they do not know what to do with the left-overs. Those of us that have been to Gugs surely would have been to Mzolis. A place the local elite and tourists hang out. If you have money you can order as much meat as you desire and then you can try and devour it. You will also find in Gugs people that do not have food to eat and have to struggle on a daily basis to make ends meet (see photos 5 and 6 in the Gugulethu Folder).
So the contrasts go on and on and on. It is really sad that most of us who are in a much better situation look at the government to do something about poverty, and by doing this we are shifting our responsibility to the state. A close friend of mine has the following to say about our responsibilities as citizens: “We as South Africans need to stop complaining about what the government did not do or need to do and take the responsibility and initiative towards changing our lives and the lives of others for the better. Government must be seen as a tool in helping us getting there but not an excuse of why we not getting there”. So look around in your community and identify the contrasts and do something about it.
Posted by: Jacob Cloete
22 May 2011
Photos © Jacob Cloete
Secondly, Gugulethu also have a very rich struggle history. Most of the prominent ANC leaders of Cape Town are from Gugs (as it is informally known). One of the most well-known sites in Gugs that are visited by many tourists is the Gugulethu Seven Memorial. However, I have noticed that some youngsters have vandalised the monument by writing on it. This shows the ignorance of the youth towards their history, a history that has been written in blood (see photo 3 and 4 in the Gugulethu Folder).
Thirdly, there are those that nothing to eat whilst there are those that have so much to eat that they do not know what to do with the left-overs. Those of us that have been to Gugs surely would have been to Mzolis. A place the local elite and tourists hang out. If you have money you can order as much meat as you desire and then you can try and devour it. You will also find in Gugs people that do not have food to eat and have to struggle on a daily basis to make ends meet (see photos 5 and 6 in the Gugulethu Folder).
So the contrasts go on and on and on. It is really sad that most of us who are in a much better situation look at the government to do something about poverty, and by doing this we are shifting our responsibility to the state. A close friend of mine has the following to say about our responsibilities as citizens: “We as South Africans need to stop complaining about what the government did not do or need to do and take the responsibility and initiative towards changing our lives and the lives of others for the better. Government must be seen as a tool in helping us getting there but not an excuse of why we not getting there”. So look around in your community and identify the contrasts and do something about it.
Posted by: Jacob Cloete
22 May 2011
Photos © Jacob Cloete
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