Before heading to Cape Town, the other student-athletes and I had a clear understanding of our roles on the trip and a rough idea of the tasks awaiting us. However, I don’t think any of us truly anticipated the impact the children and experiences would have on us.
I was personally extremely interested in visiting Cape Town for two reasons. Firstly, I studied the city for the last two years of high school for my Geography A-level. We learned about Cape Town’s history and its lasting effects on the inequality, demographics, and culture of the country. Looking back, I realize a textbook can only tell a small part of the story. Hearing about the lives of people who live there, their childhood experiences, and their journeys cannot be replicated. For example, on our first day visiting Langa, a community member took us on a tour around the townships and the VUSA center. He shared his struggles growing up, losing his father at 12 years old, and having to support his family while trying to get an education and find his way in life. Now, he is a well-known figure in Langa, producing pottery and paintings with intricate details. He has found the contentment he had long been searching for. We all had immense respect for his story and realized the hardship and dedication it takes. The small things we take for granted are not a certainty in Langa, yet the people do not let this stop them from achieving something meaningful.
The small things we take for granted are not a certainty in Langa, yet the people do not let this stop them from achieving something meaningful.
The second reason I was drawn to seeing the depth of Cape Town and specifically Langa was because my grandfather spent the last 15 years of his life in a township east of Pretoria. I never had the chance to meet him and was hoping this trip would give me insight into a part of his life. Despite having a basic knowledge of townships, nothing compares to being there and seeing it first-hand whilst driving to the EDC. The roads were incredibly narrow as we navigated through the shanty towns that the residents had built. Yet, there was something inspirational about it; it felt like such a close-knit community. The roads had names, and the houses made from tin were numbered. Children wandered around freely, seemingly without concern for their safety. They had made what was once a designated place to live a true home.
Speaking to Mac, one of the main organizers for VUSA, I learned about the neighborhood watch. This group consisted of community members, including some ex-criminals who had turned their lives around. They were the ones ensuring safety in Langa. The neighborhood watch allowed children to wander around safely, adults to sit outside their houses together, and shops to operate smoothly. This experience gave me a glimpse of what unity can do. Seeing how the community members of Langa took care of each other, despite the challenging circumstances, was eye-opening.
This experience gave me a glimpse of what unity can do. Seeing how the community members of Langa took care of each other, despite the challenging circumstances, was eye-opening.
The reason this experience will have a lifelong impact on me is the perspective it brought for me. During our time in Cape Town, we visited primary schools and sports camps, where we had the opportunity to bring fun and games for the children, and in turn, they brought us immense joy. However, each evening, we returned to our hostel, had a warm meal, and climbed into comfortable beds. This stark contrast highlighted to me the temporary nature of our experience compared to the children’s daily reality. For us, this was a short-term engagement, but for those children, it was their today, tomorrow, and most likely their future.
I became particularly close with two girls, Olushe and Esipo, at the EDCs (Early Childhood Development Centers). These girls left a lasting impression on me, and I often find myself wondering what they are doing each day and if they remember our time together as fondly as I do. Their lives are filled with challenges, yet they approach each day with hope and joy. The constant thoughts about Olushe and Esipo have fueled my desire to see how we can help organizations like GVI and VUSA continue to contribute positively to the day-to-day lives of people in Langa. These organizations play a crucial role in providing support, education, and opportunities for growth. Furthermore, this experience has taught me the importance of empathy and understanding. It has shown me that while we may come from different backgrounds and circumstances, our shared humanity brings us together. The relationships we built with the children transcend cultural and economic differences.