For people who don't know what a township is (as I didn't when I first came to this country) it is an area, usually outside of a large developed town/city, that up until Apartheid was reserved only for black people. During Apartheid black people were evicted from 'white only' areas and sent to live in the designated townships. Within the townships there is in most cases a lack of electricity, proper water systems, and proper sewage systems, creating a less than desirable standard of living for the inhabitants. From the roadside the townships look like terribly disgusting shacks made up of random pieces of metal and wood. There are sheep, horses, cows, and goats roaming freely in the grassy patch on the side of the highway next to Khayelitsha. There is also garbage, garbage, and more garbage strewn about everywhere, and due to the trash and poor sewage system is smells awful when you drive past.
For someone as naive as myself, coming from a first world country, I could never have believed that so many people live in such conditions. It is estimated that around 5 million people in South Africa live in the townships. In some cases they stretch for miles. The close quarters coupled with low income and poor education creates a dangerous and violent environment for the people who live there. Townships are plagued with rape and gang violence.
I was very nervous going into the township today, but I'm very glad that I did. I went into the Lewandle township and I have never seen people so excited about a camera in my life. I was nervous to bring my camera, thinking that people might think I'm using their lifestyle for my amusement when really I wanted photos to post here to show the world, but that wasn't the case at all.
Children and adults alike were so excited to see a camera and have their photo taken. They were lining up to have their chance at getting a picture. Sadly, it is because most of them have never had a picture taken of them in their life. Hard to believe that we grow up having photos taken of even the most insignificant events throughout our childhood and these children had not had one picture taken of them, ever.
The children were beautiful and so happy in their community with all of their friends. They invited me into their community center to show me a dance show that they were putting on, it was wonderful! From the outside it seems like all there could possibly be in a township is hard times and sadness, but those were some of the happiest children I've ever seen. It was nice to see children happy to be with each other, rather than on a cell phone or iPad.
"There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all"
-Anonymous
These children who have so little gave me so much. Their smiles and excitement about something so seemingly simple like a photo made me think differently about everything I have in my life that has always come to me so easily. I'll give the children these pictures in return for the insight they've given me.
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