As the number of readers for his continuing series of blogs, previewing the countries along our World Race route decreases, so too does my momentum in writing them. My family is on vacation, but dag-bernit, I'm one to finish what I started, and that's what I intend on doing.
Next on the list is the nation toward the top of my list of countries I'm most looking forward to along our route, and we'll get into those reasons later. Let's dive into some controversial history:
Mark it 8: South Africa
Lots o' History
Throughout the majority of the 18th and 19th centuries, most of the southern tip of Africa was a battleground between the native Zulu and Xhosa tribes, and the colonizing Dutch and British armies.
As the British and Dutch began to colonize, they created a vastly more civilized culture in South Africa, than the entire African continent had ever known. However, as these colonies began to grow, they tended to become bastions of white culture, separated from black natives. This was primarily because the white settlers enjoyed the lives they had made for themselves, and any time the natives tried to integrate themselves within their cities, the rates of crime and violence drastically rose.
It's difficult to sum up all the factors that led to the rise of apartheid, but I encourage deep reading on the issue, as there is a lot of misinformation out there on apartheid; both its rise and fall. But for the most part, it was not a good thing.
Apartheid became a legalized part of society, leading to drastic discrimination of blacks and Asians in South Africa. There was a lot of conflict between the government and violent anti-apartheid groups, primarily, the ANC (African National Congress).
In the 1940's, Nelson Mandela became one of the up and coming leaders in the ANC movement. Once again, there is a lot of misinformation about Mandela in the media, and in our history books, but long story short, the man was a violent dictator in his rise to power.
Here's a short list of just a handful of Mandela's influences in his adult life: Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, and Fidel Castro.
Mandela believed that the only way to counter the apartheid movement in South Africa was through violent acts of terrorism.
In 1963, after years of ordering the deaths of apartheid supporters, Mandela was finally imprisoned, though his wife Winnie Mandela continued to endorse acts of violence against the pro-apartheid movement, including the act of "necklacing", one of the most brutal forms of execution someone can imagine.
Though apartheid was slowly losing popularity during Mandela's imprisonment, international pressure forced the South African government to release Mandela from prison, and bring an end to apartheid.
Though it was good to see racial integration within the country, it's sad to see Mandela lifted up on a pedestal, as if he is a hero. Mandela stands against everything Christian, and unfortunately his name is revered with love and adoration.
Below is a video from a missionary friend in South Africa who has met with Mandela on several occasions, and has seen first hand what he truly believes. I implore you to watch these clips to get a small glimpse into what Mandela truly stands for.
Religion in South Africa
Thanks to its early colonization from the Netherlands and Great Britain, Christianity accounts for roughly 80% of the South African population. The remaining 20% adheres to Islam, Hindi, Buddhism, and other traditional African religions. Sadly, there is a growing number of Muslims in South Africa, which creates a greater need for we as Christians to educate the South African population on the truth and love of Jesus Christ.
What we're doing in South Africa
Tough to say at this point. Like much of sub-Saharn Africa, South Africa has a staggering AIDS epidemic, and needs to know how to live healthy lives, and how they can glorify God in the way they live.
Why I'm Excited
South Africa boasts an incredible amount of natural beauty. It's at the top of my list for countries I'm most looking forward to, for a variety of reasons. With the amount of western influence in South Africa, I think it will be a healthy slice of somewhat American culture at one of these late stages in the World Race.
I also look forward to the natural beauty we will have the pleasure of experiencing… And there are penguins in South Africa! I've read that southern South Africa and western Namibia are home to the black-footed penguin, so if I have the opportunity to see a penguin in the wild… you can go ahead and call my life complete.
Fun Facts
South Africa (along with the USA) is one of only 12 countries in the world that supplies tap water suitable to drink.
The world's first heart transplant took place in South Africa in 1967.
It's huge! Three times the size of Texas.
Disney's Animal Kingdom exclusively serves South African wine.
South Africa is home to the world's largest (African Elephant) and smallest (Dwarf Shrew) land mammals.
South Africa is the world's largest producer of macadamia nuts.
