The biggest history lesson I learnt in my life was in the township of Claremont and nearby squatter camps, on the outskirts of Durban in 1995.
This was post apartheid era of South Africa. A day spent with hard working smart young business entrepreneurs, all black in their twenties. They showed us everything without ever feeling ashamed or embarrassed, they talked positively about the future with democracy and not oppressive rule. These men had all experienced shocking trauma and injustice in their young lives. Sadly however their dreams are probably as far away as ever.
It was an utter privilege to meet and get to know these guys albeit for a short while, who protected us with their own lives, in the knowledge that we travelled at risk as tourists in some of Durban’s poorest neighbourhoods. That experience was priceless, and no international or national tour operator could have given us an education in humanity and reconciliation.
The lesson learnt for me was to absolutely appreciate the gift of life
I may have mentioned this before, so apologies.
The biggest history lesson I learnt in my life was in the township of Claremont and nearby squatter camps, on the outskirts of Durban in 1995.
This was post apartheid era of South Africa. A day spent with hard working smart young business entrepreneurs, all black in their twenties. They showed us everything without ever feeling ashamed or embarrassed, they talked positively about the future with democracy and not oppressive rule. These men had all experienced shocking trauma and injustice in their young lives. Sadly however their dreams are probably as far away as ever.
It was an utter privilege to meet and get to know these guys albeit for a short while, who protected us with their own lives, in the knowledge that we travelled at risk as tourists in some of Durban’s poorest neighbourhoods. That experience was priceless, and no international or national tour operator could have given us an education in humanity and reconciliation.
The lesson learnt for me was to absolutely appreciate the gift of life