Editorial The - University of South Africa

Transformation through the adaptation of
psychological and physical barriers: American
students' observations of South Africa, a country
Audrey Ellenwood, Andrea Glesser, Megan Peugeot,
Kim Snyders, Jillian Rapp and John Ellenwood
Bowling Green State University
ABSTRACT Since its freedom from apartheid in 1994, South Africa has been
going through a significant transformation process. This article
overviews and discusses American students' reactions to the
psychological and physical barriers that have developed among
South African people across different contexts; home life, an
administrative city, a university, a community project, an orphanage
and a resort area. Lux's five-stage Model of Transformation order is
reviewed along with two principles relating to the development and
need for psychological and physical barriers when a country is in flux.
The article concludes with a presentation of Lux's 12-step conflictresolution
approach.
`South Africa is richly endowed with
great men and women in its political,
cultural, religious and economic life.
When they become free, they will
show the world why this is the land
of hope' (Christopher Crocker,1988).
Without a doubt, South Africa
is one of the most
beautiful and breathtaking
countries in the world.
When visiting, one is completely absorbed
by its magnificence. The friendliness
and warmth that exude from the
people in the country is part of what
makes a visit to this area such a grand
experience. Immediately, when a visitor
steps out of customs at Johannesburg
International Airport, the residents of
South Africa convey an openness, responsiveness,
willingness and pride in
wanting to share their culture with foreigners.
For Americans, experiencing South Africa
is very comforting as there is an immediate
sense of familiarity and
association with the way that many people
dress, the highway system, the
southern California climate, style of
buildings and homes within the cities,
the shopping malls, the cars, the landscape
and the food. The citizens of
South Africa are extremely curious
about the American culture and this
curiosity leads to an incredible sense of
feeling welcome.
South Africa is a country that has recently
abolished the apartheid system.
Apartheid caused many internal divisions
within the provinces and was a repressive
system. However, one of the
most prevalent remnants of this era has
VOL 28 2002 UNISA PSYCHOLOGIA 5
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