Road Trip

Embarking on an official road trip from Johannesburg, South Africa to Botswana was not just a mere adventure for me, but a profound encounter that unveiled the harsh reality of social injustice deeply ingrained in that beautiful country. I was accompanied by two South African drivers, Mr. Babadu and Joshua, the journey unfolded with unexpected revelations.

Before the break of dawn, we set off in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), the darkness enveloping us. As the first rays of light emerged, a Chacma Baboon darted across the road, captivating us with its majestic presence. Witnessing such a remarkable creature in its natural habitat was truly awe-inspiring.

We made a quick stop at McDonald's to fuel ourselves with breakfast sandwiches, orange juice, coffee, and water. Our hunger satisfied, we resumed our journey, and it was during this drive that I was struck by the vast expanse of unoccupied land stretching before me.

Intriguing queries surfaced in my mind, questioning the rationale behind the government’s failure to allocate a portion of the vast land expanse to the Black South Africans.

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This road trip provided me with a first-hand glimpse of the deep-seated racial disparities that plagued the country.

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In the distance, a cluster of vibrant shacks caught my attention, and I turned to Joshua for an explanation. He informed me that it was Soweto, an acronym for South Western Townships, where a tragic rebellion had unfolded. The sight of their dilapidated, tin shacks pierced my heart with sorrow.

“The Soweto uprising was caused by apartheid. Schools were separate for black and white students, and the education received in the schools for black students was inferior. When it was decided that Afrikkans, a language developed from the Dutch spoken by early settlers, would be used as the language of instruction in all schools, the students in Soweto protested. They were already receiving an inferior education, but with instruction given to Afrikkans, they would learn even less, as it was not their native language. Thousands of black students protested on June 16, 1976, for the right to a better education.” (Source: www.homework.study.com – What caused the Soweto uprising?)

The Soweto unrest, tragically claiming the lives of countless individuals, predominantly innocent children, left an indelible mark on my heart. The brutal force unleashed upon the young protestors shattered my soul.

I began to recall the profound impact of the Soweto protest, as its global coverage resonated deeply with me, while my mother remained captivated by its unfolding events.

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Embarking on this road trip granted me the invaluable opportunity to personally witness the pervasive racial housing discrimination endured by Black South Africans.

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As we continued our journey, we encountered vast grasslands engulfed in flames on the side of the roads. Concerned, I suggested calling for a fire truck, only to be met with laughter from Mr. Babadu and Joshua. Curiosity piqued, I delved deeper into the matter and discovered that these controlled fires were intentionally set to stimulate new grass growth or manage the growth of thorny scrub. The sight of so much land burning left me in awe and contemplation.

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During our drive, Joshua turned to me and labeled me as a "Coloured." Perplexed, I inquired about the meaning behind the term. He explained that it referred to me being a white woman.

I shared with him the complexities of my heritage, with a Black father and a mother whose complexion of light-skinned so she looked like a White woman due to my grandfather (her father) being a White man.

However, it became evident that my ancestry mattered little to him; all he saw was the color of my skin. I drew parallels to the African American terms to describe my light-skinned complexion as "redbone" or "yellow" to describe individuals like me, Dana.

Due to my light-skinned complexion, I find myself marginalized and treated as an outcast within my community.

The road trip transformed into an educational journey, unraveling the intricacies of racial categorization in South Africa, stemming from the apartheid policy.

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On our way back to Johannesburg, Joshua took the wheel, driving with an intensity that left me concerned for our safety. Insisting on wearing my seatbelt, I moved to the back seat, urging caution.

We stopped at a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) to grab some food, and while Mr. Babadu remained silent, Joshua's rapid-fire conversations on various topics injected a sense of fun into the trip.

Both men were ordinary individuals, distinguished only by their dark skin. Yet, their experiences of alienation and harsh treatment under the dominant rule of White society in South Africa were evident.

As we arrived in Johannesburg late in the evening at my hotel, Mr. Babadu bid me good night, while Joshua simply said, "Bye."

The road trip left an indelible mark on me, evoking profound emotions and exposing the painful realities of social injustices in South Africa.

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(Copyright Dana Esposito. All rights reserved.)