Sunday 2 April 2006
Highlights: Apartheid Museum

Today I went to the Apartheid Museum.   I spent around 5.5 hours but easily could have spent a lot more (but my taxi was booked). On entry there is a ‘police’ vehicle used during the 80s when a state of emergency was declared (for about 5 years) which looked more like an assault vehicle.   You get a different experience while in the museum based on your race to drive home how the system used to work.

The museum is fairly balanced.   It points out both Mandela and De Kirk used violence at various times but they both wanted peace. Finding out about Mandela’s days running the ‘Spear of the Nation’ group that caused significant damage was something I didn’t know.   The displays were very emotive.

I don’t know how anyone could live though the period 85-95 in this country. It’s an amazing thing that this country did not go to civil war and I don’t think South African’s (black & white) get enough credit for their achievements.   This museum demonstrated again why education is so important.   If you make it to SA you need to go to this display.

I caught up with people returning from a tour of Botswana and they were very happy to share some stories over a beer.   One guest, Andy (Swiss) could really drink and was very funny.   BTW Castle Lager (the local beer) has a very big kick to it.