DukeEngage | Duke Center for Civic Engagement

   Throughout my time in South Africa, I have become increasingly interested in the protection of children, particularly of those in conflict and post-conflict situations. In Pietermaritzburg, I continued to explore this newfound passion through one deceptively simple question: In your opinion, what is the most concerning issue facing South African children today?
   

    First, I asked this question of an older, white anti-apartheid activist and his family, who had the unique experience of living in a black township during the struggle. Much to my surprise, their most serious concern was the sense of “entitlement” currently burgeoning among South Africa’s youth. Although the response shocked me, I initially attributed this fear to the realization that only remarkable leadership will allow this nation to overcome many of its most persistent problems. However, I remained particularly puzzled by this statement because it did not strike me as a uniquely South African concern. Surely one could say the same thing about young Americans. And furthermore, is growing entitlement really a more pressing concern than say the increasing number of child-headed households as parents continually fall victim to the AIDS epidemic? Ultimately, the response felt very surreal and removed from what I perceived as the reality of the situation facing the majority of South African children, particularly those in townships and informal settlements.
   

    Then on Monday night, I received a remarkably different answer to my question when I spoke with a local social worker committed to advocacy work on behalf of children. Without a moment’s hesitation, she responded that the sexual abuse of young South Africans frightens her most and that the number of reported cases seems to increase each week. This answer first broke my heart and then perplexed me even more. How could two people, both very active, informed citizens of their communities, see the same situation from such obviously varied perspectives? I have a feeling this question will continue to haunt me for the remainder of my time in this foreign place, which constantly challenges my understanding of the world.
 

On Saturday night, our group joined a local family for dinner in Pietermaritzburg, the capital of the Kwazulu Natal province. Our generous host was Jabulani, a professor of history and a former ANC political activist who offered to share with us the story of his experiences during the anti-apartheid struggle. Thus, I expected a rather academic evening with lots of talk about racial politics and other such complicated issues.

However, I was taken completely by surprise when I walked through Jabulani’s front door only to hear the familiar sound of Michael Jackson blaring from the living room. Surely enough, Jabulani’s children stood poised before the television, totally engrossed by an MTV tribute to the late pop culture icon. And much to my surprise, they knew his lyrics and his captivating dance steps better than I do!

Before long, rather than having yet another intense, serious discussion, the entire lot of us began to dance like one large family together in front of the television. Singing along to songs that I hadn’t heard in years, I realized that this experience right here encapsulated the most important lesson of all: we are all people united by a single human spirit. Ultimately, our celebration was not just a stunning tribute to Michael Jackson; it was indisputable proof that people from various places and backgrounds can truly come together as human beings regardless of these differences.