IFDS Participant Testimonial: South Africa

South Africa's Government Education Department is demanding a change in teaching approach, where the teacher will no longer be the lecturer. A student-centered approach must be implemented in all schools within the next five years, which calls for teachers to encourage discussion and dialogue with students to implement a "question and mentor" teaching method.

Winter in South Africa with CIEE

Los Angeles Valley College Professor Roger Graham participated in a 10-day seminar, "The Dynamics of the New South Africa," from June 8 to 18, 1997. The group of 26 educators, from 2- and 4-year colleges and universities, was hosted by the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in Cape Town for five days, followed by five days in Pretoria, where the host institution was the University of Pretoria.

The University of the Western Cape was founded in 1960 for those whom apartheid classified as "colored," meaning mixed races. "In the 1970's, UWC successfully thwarted that design and became a bastion of the intellectual struggle against apartheid," said Dr. Jimmy Ellis, professor of sociology and chairperson of the UWC Senate International Relations Committee. As Faculty Leader of the Cape Town portion of the seminar, Dr. Ellis accompanied the visiting professors. He graciously hosted a barbecue at his home, and invited a number of South African educators, a religious leader, and a community activist to attend.

A variety of prominent South Africans spoke with the CIEE group in Cape Town. Zolile Siswana, provincial director of the Reconstruction and Development Program, spoke of the aspirations of destitute communities. The main idea seems to be based on community development, with lots of input from committees. Richard Wilson and John Hopkins (who are responsible for creating low-cost housing for deprived communities), stated that there was currently too much red tape involved in building houses. They were not optimistic about reaching their goal to build one million homes in five years. Today, most of the houses in South Africa do not have water or electricity. A recent survey reported that the number one reason given for wanting electricity (over 70%) was to have T.V. A major problem in home-building is that the people who need homes have little or no money for purchasing a home. Another problem is that a large number of residents refused to pay their rent during the apartheid years; this "protest" still continues today. In fact, refusing to pay rent or make house payments has become a common habit, according to Wilson and Hopkins.

Rev. Vernon Rose stated that poor housing is a major cause of tuberculosis -- the number one killer in South Africa. Dr. Rose, a Duke and Yale graduate, is very disappointed in his country's religious leaders, who he believes have "dropped out" after having attained their goal -- the end of apartheid and the establishment of democratic voting. The once powerful South Africa Church points to the new government laws of separation of church-and-state, and is not involved in domestic problems. "The Dutch Church has been reduced to defensive positions because of its past actions," said Rev. Rose, who serves as a development consultant.

On a visit to Parliament, member Shepherd Mdladlana spoke to the group about "The Transformation of Education in Post-Apartheid South Africa." This member of the Education Commission was quite optimistic about the future of education in his country. After 30 years of teaching at various levels, Professor Graham was not as optimistic as his host. Mdladlana was surprised to learn that California has placed a 20-pupil limit on grades 1-3. South Africa has just placed a 40-pupil limit on the same grades. Later, while talking with elementary school teachers, Graham was told that many first grade classes in black areas have over 50 students in a class. Adding to the problem is that there are 11 official languages in South Africa; Zulu is the most spoken. Graham thought about how the Los Angeles Unified School District (the second largest school district in the nation) has major problems dealing with Spanish speakers.

South Africa's Government Education Department is demanding a change in teaching approach, where the teacher will no longer be the lecturer. A student-centered approach must be implemented in all schools within the next five years, which calls for teachers to encourage discussion and dialogue with students to implement a "question and mentor" teaching method. According to Mdladlana, the South African government can not get black teachers to voluntarily teach in white areas, and white teachers will not voluntarily teach in black schools unless they are paid a bonus, which the government refuses to do).

Graham helped initiate a visit to Robben Island for the group. Here, Nelson Mandela spent many years in a small cell. How strange to see the beauty of this notorious prison colony, seeing Jackass penguins playing in the surf. In contrast with the prison cell, Graham later marveled at President Mandela's castle-like office in the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Before departing Cape Town, the group visited many interesting sights including the Castle of Good Hope, one of the oldest European structures in southern Africa (built between 1666-1679) and the collection of art there.

The seminar continued with five days in Pretoria, South Africa's administrative capital, where the host institution was the University of Pretoria (UP). Founded in 1908, UP is the largest university in the nation with an enrollment of 26,000. Until recently, Afrikaans was the language of instruction. The university is experiencing problems changing over to English, and welcoming black students and professors. The CIEE group spent time with UP academics exploring the theme "South Africa: The Dynamics of the Rainbow Nation." Faculty and guests discussed and debated the following subjects: "Promoting the Reconstruction and Development of South African Society," "Language Policy in Democratic South Africa," "South Africa's Foreign Policy," "The Truth and Reconciliation Commission," "Gender Equality in South Africa," "Education for Public Servants," and "Guaranteeing Human Rights."

Site visits included Lesedi Cultural Village, Paul Kruger's home (the first president of the South African Republic in 1883), an African craft market, the Union Buildings (the current seat of government), Melrose House (where the treaty to send the Anglo-Boer War was signed in 1902), General Smuts' home, the Sterkfontein Caves (where Little Foot was found), and de Wildt Breeding Station (for a study of endangered species research).

A seminar highlight was the day spent in Soweto, which coincided with National Youth Day. June 16 marked the 21st anniversary of the Soweto Black Power Uprising. Here, the group visited the following sites: the only community college in Soweto (Funda College); Freedom Square (where the Freedom Charter was adopted in 1954); Archbishop Tutu's church; the Regina Mundi Church (where the group attended a service, and where major political funerals were held); the "Never, Never Again Memorial" (in Avalon Cemetery); and the former home of Winnie and Nelson Mandela. The sea of small metal shacks, with no water or electricity, are home to most of the blacks in Soweto who await better housing. The group had lunch with a local family in their home. Professor Graham felt that the people he came in contact with in Soweto had an optimistic outlook for the future.

Graham reflected that the world press played a major role in bringing about freedoms in South Africa. Now, it is important that the press continue to watch and report on the building of a new nation.

"This has been an incredibly educational experience," said Graham. "I would highly recommend a South African Seminar with CIEE."

The above is an account by Roger Graham, Professor of Journalism at Los Angeles Valley College. Dr. Graham participated in Council's IFDS program to South Africa in June 1997