Families in harsh living conditions can open their home to tourists in order to earn a portion of the profit. As we entered a hostel and took pictures of severe living conditions, I was not aware that the families who lived there were making a commission off of our observations. This money does not just benefit the individuals providing the tours, but it also provides income to other people living in the township. Tourists from around the world, including our class, travel to townships and ironically pay to witness poverty. The largest source of income for South African townships appears to be tourism. However, there are also opportunities within the township. Primarily, men do so by commuting out of the township to the city and mining areas (Ramphele). You wonder, what types of job opportunities are currently available to these impoverished individuals?ĭuring our stay at Langa, we observed many ways in which families earn their living. Observing such poverty was an overwhelming experience that makes you question how these families survive financially. Streets were piled with trash, ‘houses’ were shacks, and a single mattress was a bed for an entire family. Walking along the streets of Langa in Cape Town, the lingering disparity was undeniable. The question now is what can be done to change what was once inevitable? The moment the government decided to limit a group of people’s resources, they automatically limited their chances for success. This exceedingly high unemployment rate is a result of the inevitable. Consisting of nearly half of South Africa’s urban population, townships and informal settlements are “home to nearly 60% of unemployed” (“The Economics of South African Townships”). Townships are the home to many blacks and coloureds who are forced to live in impoverished communities brought on by segregation. It was no different from a rabbit in relation to its burrow.” (Ramphele)Īpartheid might be over, but many South Africans are still facing the harsh conditions of inequality. “We lived like animals – sleeping in the same unmade bed for days on end.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |