Taylor L discovering living history

We just returned from our weeklong excursion to Johannesburg and Kruger Park. It was absolutely amazing to see a new part of South Africa! While it was great to see another area, I still love Cape Town. I am so happy that we are fortunate enough to study and intern here. 

My favorite part about going to Johannesburg was visiting the museums. I usually don't like spending time in museums but I found the museums so fascinating. I really could have stayed there all day! A lot of the information shared at the Apartheid Museum in my non-fiction book, In A Different Time by Peter Harris. My book was about the Delmas Treason trial where some members of the MK Unit were accused of committing political assassinations and other criminal acts. It was pretty cool to walk around the museum and say, "I know that!" I also learned a lot more about the organizations talked about in the book, like the ANC and MK unit. I thought it was interesting that the MK unit wanted to change from peaceful protest to violent protest. However, the members did not want any deaths. I find it hard to believe that the members would have expected to use violence to instill power and fear, and not experience any deaths. 

I also was surprised to learn that Nelson Mandela was appointed as the head of this unit when it was first created in 1961. While he was in jail by the time the trial in my book occurred, I am curious if he would have been proud or disappointed in some of these members’ actions. While the violence from the MK units may have lead to F.W. De Klerk's negotiations to end apartheid and unban the ANC and other units, it still is disappointing that so many people's lives were negatively impacted and perhaps cut short. 

When I found out that a guy at the Hector Pieterson Museum was a Delmas Trialist, I was so excited. I thought it was ironic that the guy works in Sharpeville since I learned in my book that the Sharpeville Massacre influenced the creation of the MK unit and the use of violence. It was disappointing that he had the day off, but I was still excited to go and visit the place where everything changed. 

After visiting, I became curious as to what happened to many of these individuals after they were released from trial and jail. When we went to Robben Island I was surprised that the tour guides were former prisoners and many took those job because they struggled to find jobs elsewhere. I wonder if some of the tour guides were former Delmas trialists. I am excited to visit Robben Island when my parents come because I now know a lot more of South Africa's history. I also hope I get the chance to talk to the tour guides more about their experiences.