Under Apartheid rule any non-white persons were forced to live in settlements located outside towns or cities. Deemed “Townships” these areas became a place to essentially dump Blacks and Coloureds (those of mixed ancestry). Services provided were nothing more than a shack to sleep, a little running water and a place to cook. Whites abused this large amount of labour by paying the workers next to nothing.
Living in a township is a very difficult life. Most inhabitants are into drug trafficking, which is then followed by consuming. In such a poor community, human life becomes quite cheap. People are killed over having a few dollars (Rand) in their pocket. It can be expected children will not finish school based on the reason that their parents cannot afford it or the children do not have the motivation or support to continue. Although people are now free to move around, many remain in the townships simply because they cannot afford otherwise.
Big King of Ikhwezi Wellness Centre for HIV/Aids organized a trip to Duncan Village and Mdantsane (the second largest Township in South Africa). Under the auspices of community outreach workers of the Haven Wellness Centre, I was able to visit clients who are suffering from HIV/Aids. While walking through the community in Duncan Village, I noticed a sign, which read: “Trespassers will be shot after hours”.
Leaving the township you cannot help but feel that its inhabitants are the forgotten people of South Africa. But hope comes in the image of the Wellness Centres. Their workers march into these sites each day with the purpose of helping those living in destitution.
