Today, we met with Dr. John Kani at the Apartheid Museum. Dr. Kani is a founder of the museum. He is also is a famous actor and playwright.

We visited the museum on a day that it is closed to the public. This meant we had a lot of time to look around.

From Dr. Kani, we learned about South Africa’s struggle and how positive change grew from the struggle. Dr. Kani began by helping us understand the recent history of South Africa. We learned how black and coloured South Africans did not have basic human rights under the laws of apartheid.

Dr. Kani spoke about making a better future. He encouraged us to be global citizens and work toward making a better future for the whole world. I think that each member of my team was inspired by Dr. Kani’s words about fighting for equal rights for all people.

When I walked around the museum I was surprised by the amount of film and photography that had been gathered about apartheid. The end of apartheid happened within my lifetime. Some of the worst violence during the struggle took place in the 1980s and 1990s. While I was in middle school in America, children my age in South Africa were fighting and dying for their right to go to school. Adults fought for the right to vote and the first democratic elections did not happen until 1994. Children and adults were fighting for the basic rights that I have had all my life.

At the exit of the museum there is a bridge over 2 piles of rocks. On the right side of the bridge is a small pile. On the left side there is a large pile. As each person leaves the museum they are asked to pick up a rock from the small pile and to think about their past. Then, visitors place the rock on the large pile which represents the present time and the future.

What does being a good global citizen mean to you?

Part I: Welcome to the Apartheid Museum	Part II: Understanding Apartheid	Part III: Passbooks and Laws	Part IV: The future

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