On one side is adjacent to a neighborhood notorious in South Africa by "officially" living in unbearable misery. The mothers of this place in mid-May decided to send a letter to South African President, Jacob Zuma, asking him to stop bleeding the drug was doing to their children. The head of the Executive said he was appalled by the letter, just when his popularity despeñaba a cliff, and promised solutions. A week later, Police entered that garbage pit and stopped to 120 persons for various offenses, including four children addicted to drugs with 8 age. Place, fucking irony of life, Eldorado called.
Detained 120 persons for various offenses, including four children addicted to drugs with 8 age
At the other is the suburb of Kliptown. Another neighborhood of this immensity called Soweto. There, in Walter Sisulu Square, where in 1955 se redactó el “Freedom Charter “, Constitution created a wonderful living together in full apartheid and it cost them their creators sticks and mass arrests, Soweto is the Hotel Conference Centre. Right in front is also the new conference hall built in the neighborhood. Both symbolize the momentum of a country struggling to close both wounds and dung.
Right in the middle of these two realities is the Soweto Country Club Golf, probably the golf course nestled at the wrong site of the world, stereotypes through. Training Putting on training is Peter Green Matsemela, the 64 years. He is one of the honorary members of the club and the manager to train caddies for neighborhood kids a future birth and death sentence of unemployed. "I started with 15 years, in 1964, en el Houghton Golf Club. Me pagaban 30 cents for carrying a bag that was bigger than me ", he laughs. Were the days of apartheid. Blacks and whites playing loaded.
Then there was no grass, was all sand and had a hard time scoring the ball
Peter invites us to the Clubhouse. We sat as he remembers as the beginning of this place: "It opened in 1970. It was a black field up 1986, when apartheid was ending. Then there was no grass, was all sand and had a hard time scoring the ball ", explains. Today, by this field, "Professional players have passed the likes of Ernie Els and Nick Price and there are some white partners", Peter recounts with pride. There is much of the time in which some sticks were made of clothes hangers and plastic. "People have their computers", says. But the work of Peter is to create new caddies, almost invent, to give you a future. "They should keep the clubs clean, proper behavior when they load the bag and notify the player that store valuables in a safe place ", says part of the code of conduct that teaches learners.
One of those students is Brian Mpaka, the 24 years, who lives in a modest home a few blocks beyond the camp gates. "I come here and wait for someone to hire me for bringing the sticks", says. Does the same as his fellow. All are sitting in the gateway field doing nothing. Expect. "Did you wash the car?”, offered knowing that one sticks loaded with luck and a tip will be to look after the vehicle and return it shiny.
Failure only rapper cap and sunglasses extravagant project over plaid Bermuda shorts and white sneakers
Some of these caddies have saved vine and have a professional clothing fails almost only rapper cap and sunglasses extravagant project over plaid Bermuda shorts and white sneakers. "Sometimes I give up 200 Rands (16 EUR), but generally e s less ", Brian aclara. Typically carried around 60 Rands (5 EUR).
The pitch is dry, full of dirt, trash. Outputs, always shining in all fields, are here surrounded by concrete and thick iron tubes. There are also some bins full of plastic cement and food scraps. Maybe it's the selling Trini, a woman who is lying on the floor, at the door of the field, and features exposed fruit on a sheet gnawed. It must have sold something, because there are orange peels on the grass.
Note that two of the caddies are burning drug on a foil
Who cares this field? "Once a week is someone, but it takes more care ", recognizes the impetuous Brian while giving away a difficulty of water filled plastic bags and cardboard floating. One of those gaps in other areas have stones and bridge design. "It is always full, sometimes there is water and dry ", explains. The greens are bumpy and difficult to know where the road ends.
In the door, when we're leaving, note that two of the caddies are burning drug on a foil. They do next to what must have been Guardhouse. Outside, the houses are glossy, brick and mortar, and some with a small garden. A little rusty sign in recuerda last we are in a Country Club Golf amid Soweto, perfect example of misery and hope in South Africa.
Some data to compare
1970
-It creates the Soweto Country Club Golf for blacks
-Known as the father dies Soweto, James Mpanzaa, the first "squat" black that mobilized the masses to demand decent housing. A month after his death was granted legal ownership of your home, something denied to the majority of blacks then.
-The population was less than a million people
-Blacks were forced to live in known as townships. Areas where they were held for obligation by the separation of races. They had no right to vote. They lived in slum.
-Soweto is under the control of the state and not the City of Johannesburg.
-The Orlando Towers known as, highly polluting power station located in the middle of Soweto, give light to the neighborhoods of the white population. Most of the neighborhood lacks energy water.
-Two thirds of households earned less than the minimum level considered poverty.
-The 30% had been a victim of violence.
2013
-The population exceeds two million, approximate number because it lacks a reliable census (is the largest ghetto in Africa)
-Unemployment is estimated at around 45%, although some studies speak of a 70%. There are whole neighborhoods lacerating misery.
-Have been constructed 178 primary schools, 78 secondary and university. It also has a large hospital, several modern shopping centers, two furlongs, including Soccer City, and improved transport system including bus lanes and a modern train.
-The 25% of all students interviewed, 1500, found fun being violated. The crime figures are the highest in the world. Violations of women are cosntantes.
-The rehabilitation program of the Government home, that are given in the bricks and mortar for new homes, has improved many of the casaas. Many have a solar panel for energy.
-The Orlando Towers are closed and are an attraction for tourists which makes bungee jumping.
