Issue 2 - Uwpiaa.org

A Poor Outlook for a Rich CultureAn eye-opening journey through South Africaby Dr Bob Blake (68C), Blenheim, New ZealandDuring a recent visit to South Africa and Mozambique, myview of the world as I knew it changed forever; it gave me adeeper and, I hope, genuine appreciation for the countriesthat are struggling for their everyday existence, and how theseissues relate to the goals of UWP.One of the reasons for the trip was to interview possiblesponsors for assistance with indigenous tribal youth who wishto bring their rich culture, music and dances — for the firsttime — into UWP. More specifically, those are the villages ofthe Zulu (the famous warrior nation that defeated the Britisharmy in battle); the Basotho (from the mountain kingdom ofLesotho with their skillful horsemanship); the Xhosa (NelsonMandela’s tribe from the coastline of the Eastern Cape); andthe Pedi (with their unusual architecture, horn whistles andgreat drums).As these tribal peoples merged into Johannesburg to workin the mines, some found themselves living in Soweto (SouthWest Township). The poverty and poor living conditions of theinhabitants of Soweto are now legendary, and when wevisited, there was a celebration because a freshwater tap— yes, just one — had been installed at the end of a longrow of houses. Downtown Johannesburg is abandonednowadays, and the electricity and water have been turnedoff; it has become a darkened city of illegal immigrants andeven the police stay away from the former downtown area.To add to this grim outlook, the official government reportsstate that there are approximately 5,000 illegal immigrants— each day — walkinginto South Africaacross the desert bordersof Zimbabwe,Namibia, Botswanaand Mozambique.Bob Blake (68C), UWPIAA Era Rep 1965-1970, is greeted by Zulu youth inJanuary 2008.During our trip, we visited several Zulu villages where theyouth were caretakers for African endangered animals. Theydemonstrated their cultural dances, and we were blown awayat the magic of their rhythm and naturally choreographedancestral stories. Seated on the dirt floor inside the large,dark ceremonial hut, I will never forget ... It was like the NewZealand “Haka” gone mad — with large knives and raw-hideshields crashing against each other, just inches from our faces!And with few cell phones, walkmans, gameboys and othergadgets that jerk people away from eye-to-eye, heart-to-heartcommunication, it was evident that the young Zulu don’t have,what I call, the “fidget syndrome” — at least not yet ...How the youth of the Zulu could benefit from the UWP experiencetruly is not the question; after spending time with them,the question we need to ask ourselves is, “How can UWPbenefit from Zulu participation?”Above, left to right: Simon, a 23-year-old possible UWP recruit if he can obtain enoughfinancial assistance. Soweto children with Bob Blake after celebration of installation of thevillage’s only water tap in December 2007. Zulu youth demonstrate their ancient tribal wardances for Blake.At left: William de Toit (67B) and Blake meet in Cape Town, South Africa, as part of Blake’sattempts to reengage lost alumni from his era from Southern Hemisphere countries.UpBeat 9