South African Journey

3/26/2010

In this article I hope to give you an idea of what my walks through Alex include and lessons I have learned along the way.

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The area I live in is called Kew, a residential neighborhood about 3 blocks away from where the Alexandra [Alex] Township begins. I spend most my days in Alex where I am either at the church on 3rd Avenue or an orphanage on the far side of Alex, in an area called Marlboro.

At the beginning of my time here I didn’t do much walking through Alex. Whenever I went somewhere folks were generous enough to arrange transportation for me to and from the orphanage or church. It would have been easy for me to have continued to accept rides from people but there was something missing. I soon began walking through Alex with a friend from the church. He would walk to where I stay in Kew then across Alex to Marlboro and then he’d do the return trip with me in the afternoon. I felt bad for him because he was doing an extra 40+ minutes of walking just to meet with me.

A few weeks later I couldn’t get a hold of my friend. So what to I? Sit around the house or walk alone to the orphanage? I decided I would walk and what an experience it has been thus far.

It would be fair to say that I was a little nervous about walking alone for the first time. Not because I was afraid of getting lost, I knew exactly where I was going. It was the nervous excitement about finally walking the streets alone. I knew the risks and I knew the view people would have of me being a lone white person walking amongst them. This is both what excited me as much as made me a bit nervous. So I packed my backpack with only the essentials:  a notebook, pen, and my Epi pens; and headed off.

Part of the agreement of me coming to South Africa was a commitment to live and walk with those in the community I was in. I don’t think I could completely do this by putting a car door between myself and the people of Alex. Riding in a car and walking the streets has given me a new view of the community. I feel better walking than in a car because it takes that barrier away. By using my feet for transport it also shows the people of Alex that I am not afraid.

Yes, my walk takes 45 minutes and people look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them I walk through Alex. But if I continue to ride in cars or use other means of transportation I am just confirming the stereotype of white people in South Africa. I was told that you will never find a white South African walking in Alex. I asked why? Because they know better. Now I do know that there are some white South Africans that are exceptions to this norm, but it’s not a high number. I think it’s the same for many of us in the States. We all know of THAT part of town that is a no go area. I never wanted to cut through South Center Street growing up, but on a few occasions I cut through to safe a few minutes (but not before locking my doors and rolling up the windows. After my experience here would I walk though that part of my hometown daily? I’m not sure, but I will look closer as to why I avoid those parts of town.

In my walks through Alex I have been greeted with warm smiles. I have been asked questions such as:  Where are you going? Why are you here? Where’s your car? Can I have some money? Can I come with you? Will you marry me? Will you please pray for me and my family? These are just a few. In the afternoon I walk through football (soccer) games of little kids in the street and see card games amongst friends; food stands selling fresh chickens (as in alive). These are just a few of the sites and sounds around Alex.

Upon my return from being out of town a few weeks ago people were curious as to where I had been. This really made me smile because folks are looking for me now. Greeting the Gogo (grandmother) as she sweeps off the sidewalk and seeing her smile; knowing that I could not have walked here 16 years ago. I have been invited to share a cold-drink (soda) with some folks about my age; but haven’t taken them up on this invitation yet. I am getting to see that the fear most people have of Alex isn’t entirely accurate. But I can understand where their fear and concerns come from.

What I have learned and what I hope you take away from this is to educate yourself and get to know people before judging people or communities. I’m not suggesting going and sitting on the corner in the roughest part of town, but do a little digging and see what makes people avoid of certain places.

In just a daily 45 minute walk I am beginning to better understand the daily life of the people of Alex, but I understand that I will never completely understand their life. But through these experiences I have learned that I can’t believe everything I hear from friends, family or on the news. Sometimes you need to take a walk and get information for yourself.