Week 6: Research Discoveries

My topic discovery for this week is

Education in South Africa - link: http://www.freedomtolearn.co.za/education-today

Gangs, Race and Poverty - link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoMl_G6rL9k

South African Women Power - link: http://www.fletcherforum.org/2013/06/10/tunney/

After viewing the YouTube video, "Cape Town: Gangs, Race and Poverty 20 years after Apartheid."  I began to understand more what it means to be coloured and their point of view of post-apartheid.  They have a demographic break down of Whites, Black African, Coloured, Indian/Asian and other.  In this video the coloured South African feel that they are being ANC is the favored party of Black Africans meaning the coloured are left behind after Apartheid.  Such as advertisements for jobs will state you must speak Xhosa meaning a Black person will probably get the job.  People also now fear gangsters versus as before it was the government they feared.  People felt that they were safer even though gangsters were existent, they still felt safer. 

In the article, Education Today,  it states that, "According to a survey conducted by The Guardian, of the 1 million students that enrolled in the year 2000, 50% dropped out during their schooling career, and only a quarter passed their matric exams."  Schools are closing down due to lack of funding and not all students are receiving the same quality education.   If students are unable to attend public school the chances of them going to a university is very slim due to lack of funding and exposure of adequate education.   The Lost Generation is also discussed as those student right after Apartheid who did not attend school because of lack of funds to support them attending school such as no transportation or food.  This would lead some of these individuals of engaging in dangerous behaviors and violence.  What is a nation to do with an entire uneducated generation of people?

Improving the rights of women in South Africa started with African National Congress (ANC) establishing a quota requiring 33% of its representatives as women.  Also passing legislation the prohibited domestic violence, rape, and sexual harassment.  However women continue to struggle and can be coined in 4 main factors that prevent women from realizing their rights in South Africa.  

1. The unwillingness of men to adapt to changing gender roles
2. The perceived incompatibility between cultural preservation and human rights  
3. Poor urban planning coupled with the economic vulnerability of women
4. The police and courts' inadequate implementation of legislation

Starting with gender roles in the article it describes a husband forcing his wife to give up her sewing business due to him not feeling it was right to accept wages from a women.

Women now feel they are having to choose between preserving culture and promoting human rights.  Men have described women rights as going against once acceptable treatment, however now men can be arrested for. 

Housing developments emerged in townships but were poorly constructed and unsafe for women and children. The restrooms were sometimes located outside which was dangerous for a women to go to at night and they often lacked secure doors or windows. 

Lastly the criminal justice system do not always follow through with their responsibilities for protecting the rights of women.  One individual described her attempt to call the police due to domestic violence and they would take hours or may not even show up.

These events show that it is a lot to be done and that the change in the laws will not stand alone.  There is a need for men to become more accepting of new laws established and safety planning for women who live in these townships.