Chatham Hall in South Africa 2008

Tonight we met with Bandi Biko, sister of Steve Biko, the political organizer who was killed by the apartheid system and immortalized for Americans in the film Cry Freedom. She is now organizing a home to care for about 250 children whose parents suffer or have died of AIDS in Capetown. It struck me that Bandi was the most famous but only one of the many amazing individuals we have met during our time here. Carol Jooste who was the organizing force behind our work at Lawrencia School and who took us to the Hospice and to visit AIDS patients in Bloekombos Township is one of those people who have such a clear vision of a world that can be a much better place to live for all of us that it inspired us all. Susella, who is in charge of the Hospice, was another such person. The Hospice was not, as in the U.S., a place for people in their last few weeks of life, but a place for people to recover from grave illnesses until they are able to return home. Susella, a white South African, created such a peaceful and beautiful place for the patients surrounded by flowers and cleanliness. Mr. Peters, the assistant principal of Lawrencia School is another such person as is Pat Featherstone who started Soil for Life. And then there were the many young students, including two young boys from Heinz Park Primary School who helped us plant beets and other boys there who showed us their medicinal herb garden. When one is around such people day after day, their vision for South Africa affects the way we see the poverty and struggles. We see the actions that are transforming the society instead of dwelling on the physical signs of despair and hardship.

– Ann Beal

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