How many times have you heard the name of this
township? A hidden suburb of
Johannesburg, it is a vibrant testament to the power of the human spirit.
Both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived here.
Both men fought for the freedom of their people and both men won. Both men have
come to symbolize freedom, courage and human will.
Soweto is an acronym for South West Town ship. Hidden behind
the remain of gold mining, far from the eyes of rich, white inhabitants of
Johannesburg and the rest of the world, Soweto now shares it rich legacy of
hardship and rise to prosperity.
The uprising of students in 1976, protesting language rules
in school, led to the death of many black students, including Hector Pieterson who was the first to die in
the right to use their language of choice in school. The blood of these
children paved the way for today’s Constitution in South Africa. Wide ranging in its challenges, the
constitution has given equality to all people in South Africa.
We toured Nelson Mandela’s house and saw the home of
Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Now enshrined
as a testament to South Africa’s past, these dwellings are a rich reminder of
how far human rights has come.
The Constitution is written in stone on a monument in
Freedom Square. While we were at
Constitution Square a patriotic gentleman described to us the 10 elements of
the Constitution and played the national anthem on his ‘penny whistle’. We are grateful for s enlightenment.‘
A tour later through old Johannesburg further highlighted
the deep divide between rich and poor in Johannesburg, while offering to us
glimpses of hope for the future.
We left Johannesburg this morning to fly to the town of Port Elizabeth in the province of Eastern Cape. In second poorest of South Africa's provinces, this city is home to a major port and many major businesses long with their wealthy owners while being surrounded by a growing shanty town.
With communal toilets, no running water, the conditions are
the type that many of us may find deplorable and yet, these people are happy.
They have escape situations that are much more deplorable. 
The new Constitutional court sits beside the old jail. Made
partly of bricks from the original jail, it seeks to bring a fair and just
resolution to criminal cases now in South Africa. Made up of 11 justices from
varying walks of life, the court serves as both a reminder of the injustices of
the past and hope for a future to come. 
Would that the government of Ontario take note of some of the clauses in this Constitution. Take note: "There shall be a forty-hour work week, a national minimum wage, paid annual leave, and sick leave for all workers, and maternity leave on full pay for all working mothers."
