Would you take your family to a South African township?
The Cagols arrive in the coastal town of Kynsna and decide to take a township tour. It’s an experience that proves a real eye-opener – for them and their children.
Located along South Africa’s fabled Garden Route, Kynsna is one of the prettiest and most affluent places in South Africa. But like all places in South Africa, it had a township on its periphery. We decided to our children, all under 10, on an organised tour to show them that not everyone was lucky enough to enjoy the lifestyle of those on the coast.
Townships sprung up on the edges of towns and cities to house non-white residents during the time of apartheid. Most were places of hardship, appalling conditions and terrible social problems.
When Nelson Mandela became president he instituted a policy to build houses throughout the townships for those earning less than 4,000 rand per month. It’s a policy that has had mixed results, but in Kynsna it achieved some success, building new houses and providing jobs for the community.
The township tour was operated by Ella and Penny, an energetic, selfless duo who met in church and set up a non-profit organisation that runs five safe houses for vulnerable children and adults in the township community.
Our first stop in the minibus was at the side of a road and it immediately became apparent just how different doing this tour with children would prove to be. A bunch of local kids were playing so our kids got out and offered them some of their sweets. Luca, our youngest, decided to slip down the hill on his backside to give a sweet to a boy at the bottom. This immediately led to an impromptu bottom-sliding competition on little bits of cardboard and great laughs for all.
Next, we dropped by the local ‘shopping centre’, a collection of shipping containers where locals run their businesses. We were really impressed by the shoe shop; the owner’s craftsmanship was amazing and he had a real passion for his business. Unfortunately Edwina’s feet were too big for the ones she liked! We continued on, pulling over the van whenever Penny spotted a stray dog, and dolling out treats from a big bag of dog food she kept up front with her.
At the local library, a fantastic government-run facility loved by all the community, our children learned about schooling in the township. There are six primary and two secondary schools. Children start at the age of five and finish at 19, and free meals are provided. Books and pens are expensive though, so Penny gave our children some to hand out to the local kids studying at the library.
