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| South Africa Today -
Lecture by Victor Matom |
In his last lecture onboard Victor Matom talked
about South Africa becoming a rainbow nation, current problems the
country is facing and his own contribution in its positive process
towards creating a better future.
The 1990s in South Africa were revolutionary times, which brought
freedom to its people and ended many years of oppression and racial
discrimination. Nelson Mandela, who was released from prison and became
the leader of the African National Congress, started the negotiations
with the South African Government. Mandela and Joe Slovo of the South
African Communist Party, were opposed to armed conflict and were aiming
to achieve a democratic and egalitarian system by peaceful means.
Extreme right wing (white) parties protested against negotiations
and consequently tried to create panic and tension between the two
sides. Some even resolved to barbaric bombings and other violent acts.
In 1994 the first free elections were held in the country, which were
open to everyone regardless of skin colour. The African National Congress
(ANC) took most seats and Mandela was declared the president of South
Africa. For the first time the people of South Africa were allowed
to mix and the country re-christened itself a rainbow nation. The
new constitution was blessed by the people's whishes of how they want
to live. Ordinary life might have not changed all that much but still,
a big change took place in people's hearts. The Parliament certainly
changed drastically what with one third of seats held by women. Democracy
finally was put into practice.
However, South African society is still facing many social problems
as a result of its racist history. Its economy was dominantly in white
hands and most of the rich white people have left the country taking
with them their capital. The consequences of this were drastic. Many
people lost their jobs and a big gap between poor and rich was created.
This social hardship contributes to a very high crime rate and the
spread of AIDS is causing further major problems in today's South
Africa. Apart from a lack of sex education contributing to a high
infection rate among young people, it has now been established that,
during the Apartheid regime, black people were sometimes deliberately
injected with the AIDS virus. One of the responsible people for these
inhumane acts, is Dr Basson, who is on trial at the moment.
Victor Matom himself gives young people the opportunity to learn about
sex education by offering his premises to health advisers and teachers.
He is also involved in a number of AIDS fundraising projects. His
premises are effectively used for 'Art as a Therapy' based projects
with the purpose of creating a safe environment for traumatised children.
These projects help children to build up their self-esteem, express
themselves and learn to deal with their fears. Mr Matom believes that,
although society is still not equal and many serious problems are
still there, if everyone does their bit, things will improve and a
better future is ahead for South Africa. The fact that Apartheid in
South Africa was brought to an end without civil war is proof that
the people are willing to co-operate, learn from each other and live
together in peace. |
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| Shingapore-Mombasa
/ Peace Boat's 36th Voyage |
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PEACE BOAT is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. |
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