Week 12: South Africa Electricity

I found this link to the website for Department of Energy: Republic of South Africa. It is similar to Austin energy or any public electricity unit. I always find it interesting to see how public electricity works in another country, and I found it intriguing that it says that demand for electricity has gone up . I do not think that this is due to a population increase but most likely  due to more people in low-income communities asking for the electricity that they deserve. 

http://www.energy.gov.za/files/electricity_frame.html

Week 10: Egoli and Service Learning

                Service learning is the main component that drew me to the South Africa Maymester, so I am overjoyed to officially have my assignment of working with Egoli. Egoli addresses the lack of electricity in a township in Cape Town. I am so excited to be finding a solution for a public health issue like this. Rolling blackouts are sometimes a problem in various parts of South Africa. I grew up in a neighborhood where having electricity was never a problem. A few months ago, the electricity was temporarily out in my residence hall and my first morning class. It was an inconvenience for those few hours and I cannot imagine what it is like to live in a place where this happens daily.  I found an article published by World Bank about the problem of electricity. It addresses the problem all over the African continent and how improvements in mining can bring more electricity to more people. This would mean better quality of life and improved economies.  There are other sources such as solar energy or lights made of low-cost material that could help combat the problem, but mining could provide a long-term solution.

“Power is criticial to mining companies and by becoming anchor customers for electricity utilities, mines can save hundreds of millions of dollars in supplying their own power”

http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2015/02/09/mining-companies-can-help-turn-on-the-lights-across-sub-saharan-africa-says-world-bank

Week 9: The Top 10 from Class

After examining the overall top ten pieces from our class, I am even more excited to study in South Africa. The area that I found most enlightening was the history times. It is incredibly sad how many people have died in South Africa fighting for basic freedoms. I am looking forward to seeing how South Africa has progressed and the changes that are yet to come. I also found it enlightening to read about LGBT life in South Africa. There are few places in the world where the LGBT community is fully accepted so I was not surprised to learn to the community in South Africa faces prejudice.

            I grew up in a community that was incredibly supportive of women’s education, so it was not until I was a little older that I realized women’s rights were a problem in America and around the world. I enjoyed reading all of the pieces on this subject, just because there is a need to recognize the women who also fought in the South Africa’s civil rights movement. Finally, I really enjoyed the New York Times piece Not White Enough, Not Black Enough. No matter the context, I feel that it is critically important to recognize that each person has a unique identity. 

Week 8: The South Africa Top 10

I feel so fortunate to travel to South Africa with such an amazing group of scholars. Here is a list, in no particular order, of the top ten pieces from their independent research.

1. Josh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqCKIUogn6E

This video provides a fascinating timeline of South Africa’s history of apartheid.

2. Elisa http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/09/05/winnie-mandela/2711759/

Although reviews were not all positive for the movie, I think that it is still important to show Mandela’s journey from his wife’s perspective and the role that she played as an activist.

3. Gerardo http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1136608/?ref_=tttr_tr_tt

This trailer for the District 9 movie is a different yet fascinating take on a political movement.

4. Ignacio    http://www.southafrica.info/about/quickguide.htm#.VRygIfnF-uJ

This article was extremely helpful to learn more general information about South Africa.

5. Nestor http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2013/03/south_africa_has_made_incredible_progress_since_apartheid_but_it_still_must.html

This article emphasizes exactly how I feel about progress in South Africa; much progress has been made, but more more work still needs to be done.

6. Denice http://www.fletcherforum.org/2013/06/10/tunney/

This is an article on a subject I am very passionate about; women’s rights.

7. Faith http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/apartheid/7208.shtml

8. Tiasha http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2009/06/who-are-the-cape-coloureds-of-south-africa/#.VRyii_nF-uJ   This is an interesting article about the biracial identity.

9. Connie  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elrWczhTZBk It is of crucial importance to understand the younger generation.

10. Maria http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-01-16/south-africas-tradition-domestic-work-continues-post-apartheid