Gracie Fuhrman, counting cupcakes for Mandela Day Celebration

Author: Gracie Fuhrman | Major: International Studies and Economics

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of post-apartheid South Africa is often revered in international peace studies circles as the epitome of peacebuilding following the violence of revolution. Following its success post-1996, TRC’s began to pop up everywhere- Canada, Chile, and Ghana just to name a few. In theory, it is meant to assuage the wounds of the past violences of a nation in order to move forward. Yet, while the political attention provides global recognition, it does little to reckon with redistribution of resources and exploitation of vulnerable populations within the country. Rather than heal the nation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission exposed the wounds of South Africa to the world only to leave them open.

During my six weeks spent with the Students for International Training program in Cape Town, South Africa, I observed and listened to stories of the successes and failures of social justice and activism work. The first two weeks were spent in a social justice seminar listening to various social justice activists and the political and historical context of their work. Discussions with people like Fatima Dike and Ashraf Cassiem examined the past and current methods of activism of South Africa- from direct action such as re-possessing housing that had become gentrified in areas of high tourism to activism within theatre through use of native isiXhosa language in plays.  Speakers spanned from apartheid-era activists to present-day ones, with many sharing the same concern and disdain for the lack of socioeconomic equality in South Africa between the white, native Black, and coloured populations- where the minority white population has given up the crown of political power but hidden the jewels of economic power through foreign direct investment strategies.

This inequity crystallized through the four weeks of my internship in the Lavender Hill and Steenburg communities. These neighborhoods are primarily coloured and segregated from the city of Cape Town via distance, infrastructure, and governmental neglect. As a result of the socioeconomic conditions, they face high levels of gender-based violence and gang activity. While this may paint a specific perspective and image of the neighborhoods, it is crucial to recognize that these issues persist alongside an inter-connected community of families, traditions, and values. Despite the pressure the community faces as a result of their socioeconomic inequality, their experience is their own, not to be romanticized nor publicized by outside influencers. Within the community, there is a locally owned and operated gender-based violence organization named Philisa Abafazi Bethu where I had the opportunity of working as an administrative assistant intern.

My primary focus at Philisa Abafazi Bethu was community-building activities and maintaining organization in administration. For the Mandela Day celebration, I worked within an organization committee to delegate tasks and prepare for a community feeding celebration for more than 500 people in 3 different locations. Throughout these experiences, I discovered a multitude of differences and similarities between non-profit operations in the United States and South Africa. Unlike many non-profit organizations I have volunteered or worked at within the United States, mental health and self-care were of top priority at Philisa Abafazi Bethu. While the significance of the work was always stressed, dignity and self-worth for clients as well as employees was one of the pillars of the organization. While these factors have been semi-prioritized in non-profit organizations I have worked with in the United States, they were a significant contributing factor to the continued success of Philisa Abafazi Bethu since 2008.

Through the combination of the social justice and activism seminar and the internship at Philisa Abafazi Bethu, I garnered a holistic perspective of the past and present systems of inequity within Cape Town as well as the people and communities working to eradicate them. From the present work against gender-based violence of PAB to the past successes of the African National Congress, activism focused on social justice has become a vein of political life within South Africa. For those interested in non-profit, social, and public service jobs, I would highly recommend this program to better understand one’s positionality and the international context of work focused in those areas.